Every time I read this, it seemed more at home on some message board where an amped up fan was desperately trying to rationalize how good the season actually was. "This team has not lost a game in regulation. I know it does not mean much to you guys (media.) The point is, in a 60 minutes game, we play as competitive as we can be. There is not a team that we have played that has bested us in the first 60 minutes. If you had to look at the length and width of the game, that is how it is measured. Then you go to overtime, and I think our overtime system is just as flawed as any other overtime system. It's just the way it is and it is probably correct. You have to decide it then where it takes the length of the field and certain situations out of it. It is imperfect, but a darn good system. You tell me if there are other teams in this country that can say that. If you just give us ties, like in the old system, we are undefeated with two ties. Maybe that adds up as one lost."Somewhere in Northern California, Jim Harbaugh is smiling at that Michigan education of Les Miles. Everyone else is just taken aback by the breathtaking insanity that is Les Miles.
This was the sort of thing that people link to as exhibits as to the unhinged fringes of a message board. The, "Ah-ha, fanbase X is completely nuts and here's the post to prove it," column that has become increasingly popular.
Not the thought out, semi-prepared comments of some highly paid coach in the SEC at a weekly press conference before the SEC Championship game. Not some coach trying to present his team in the best possible way, to politic just a bit for how his team deserves some consideration for the BCS Championship game. Surely this wasn't the best he could do.
UPDATE: Here's the video of Les Miles presenting his argument after the jump.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. it is bats**t crazy and ridiculous, but as an LSU fan, ive never been prouder. you must really love your team to say such bulls**t. Les, stay, dont go to Mich, get another pot of gumbo and whatever you do, dont run it with your running back from 2 yards out.
Posted at 7:21AM on Nov 28th 2007 by Horatio
2. No one thinks it makes a difference that both losses are in OT? I think it makes a difference. I don't think they should go to the title game, but in a system where you have to subjectively evaluate wins and losses, their losses are less bad because they were in OT. Bob Stoopes was just on the radio on Monday complaining about how horrible the college OT system is. Obviously Miles wasn't particularly eloquent in his comments, but his argument makes sense.
Posted at 8:55AM on Nov 28th 2007 by theomnivore
3. LSU fans, stop drinking that purple and yellow Kool-Aid. If you compare GA and LSU records against their COMMON SEC opponents (FL,AUB,KY,AL), it ain't even close. GA 4-0, 137-86. LSU 3-1, 142-125. The only reason you are in the SEC championship game is that you are in the SEC Worst division. You don't even have another team in that division that is in the top 20. Meanwhile the East has three teams slugging it out. In the beauty contest that is the BCS, while GA has two ugly losses, LSU has two ugly (if not lucky) wins against FL and AUB AT HOME (not to mention the home loss to AK). We blew out AUB at home and FL in their house. If WV and MO loses, the title game should definitely be GA-OSU.
Posted at 10:26AM on Nov 28th 2007 by gadawg
4. Will you guys stop posting this kind of stuff. If you keep it up Michigan is going to figure it out.
Of course, if they are all as smart as he is....maybe not.
Posted at 10:31AM on Nov 28th 2007 by TAG
5. While I'll admit that two OT losses look better than two regulation losses, 2 ties to very spare teams doesn't look all that impressive either. 2 teams that LSU should have rolled over in the overrated SEC.
Posted at 10:31AM on Nov 28th 2007 by grapevinesooner
6. LSU fans: stop drinking that purple Kool-Aid. Compare GA and LSU records agains their common SEC opponents (AL,KY,AUB,FL). GA 4-0, 137-86. LSU 3-1 142-125. It ain't even close. The only reason you are in the SEC champ game is that you are in the SEC Worst division. Prior to the AK debacle, no other team in you division was in the top 20. The SEC east/best has 3 teams in the top 20. In the beauty contest that is the BCS, yes GA had two ugly losses to TN and SC. But you guys had two ugly wins(if not lucky) wins at HOME against FA and AUB. We blew out those two teams, and FL in their house.
Posted at 10:31AM on Nov 28th 2007 by gadawg
7. It's TWO LOSSES! Get over it. You'll whack UT and be set up for a nice BCS game. That was the biggest bunch of hogwash I have ever read. The reason for that OT format is because, in the NFL, the team with the ball first wins over 50% of the time. They are trying to bring equity to the extra period. If you score more points in OT Les, you win the game! "You take certain things away"? Like your brain. You lost to unranked Arky and had the chance to go to the NC. Choke, choke, choke, pure and simple.
Posted at 10:32AM on Nov 28th 2007 by rowefork
8. Hey gadawg, I don't remember and UGA fans calling Jax "our house" in the Seventies or Eighties. You UGA fans are unbelievable. The stadium has always been 50-50. The fans in Jacksonville are 50-50. UF travels by bus for 1.5 hours, and you fly your team 1.5 hours. Great win for you this year but I wouldn't get used to it.
Posted at 10:32AM on Nov 28th 2007 by rowefork
9. I just can't wait for les Miles to get to Michigan...Talk is cheap...Tressel needs a new Michigan coach to own....Les Miles you are the next coach on the price is right...better luck next coach LSU..Losinganna State University...try try again next year..two losses in overtime ar well...two losses...two losses does not get you in the big dance...
Posted at 12:13PM on Nov 28th 2007 by Trent
10. "Breathtaking insanity" - perfect description.
Posted at 12:13PM on Nov 28th 2007 by Ryan Ferguson
11. One of two things is true. Either the Tigers were overrated at the ebginning of the season, or they underachieved. If it is the second, and I believe it is, then Miles should assume the responsibility. After two years, I really think that the program is on a bit of a slippery slope, especially if he is counting on Perriloux for the future. He's an accident waiting to happen. Can someone make him a reservation to Ann Arbor, and find a home phone number for Bobby Petrino.
Posted at 12:14PM on Nov 28th 2007 by James
12. gadawg....I understand your frustration...Georgia loses too early and is now out of the Title Game. But maybe your team should have figured out that losing to one of your division opponents wasnt a good deal. You can whine all day about about it, but facts are THIS year your division was a BIT stronger than LSU's division. Or rather your division had a couple more worthless teams that EVERYONE beat up on while LSU's division was a bit more even. But the important thing is for Georgia to NOT shame the SEC and lose their bowl game...but unfortunately Georgia hasnt had a good track record of late.
Posted at 12:14PM on Nov 28th 2007 by S321
13. For some of you Miles detractors: Has LSU underachieved, sure...but then so has USC, so has Michigan, so has Ohio State, so has many "top notch" schools. Injuries to the defensive line in mid season didnt help as Matt Flynn isnt a top 10 QB, ok..just not spectacular. I'm confused that no one is whining about Russell leaving when he could have stayed another year and probably cemented the Heisman, the National Championship and a fairy tale season. This season only proves that even the second tier of SEC teams are not pushovers. And THAT is the only reason you dont have 20 or more National Championships by SEC teams over the last 40 years. USC, UCLA, Michigan, Ohio State year after year have maybe one or two key games a year keeping themselves high in the standings, while every SEC team has to slog through a minefield EVERY year. So enough whining about LSU losing two OT games...focus on the games ahead...and lets hope the SEC sweeps ALL their bowl games....
Posted at 12:14PM on Nov 28th 2007 by S321
14. Let's see, TN beat GA. LSU and TN are in the SEC Title Game. Based on the logic on this board; if LSU beats TN then obviously LSU is better than GA and more deserving of the National Championship game - assuming circumstances allowed - and especially since they are the SEC Champions.
It is foolish to assume that because one team defeats a similar foe or by greater numbers that one team is "more deserving" than another. But that is what the BCS creates - absurb speculation.
Concering Miles: LSU has been winning with superior athletes. LSU games are horribly frustrating to watch - sloppy penalties, ineffective gimmick east-west offensive plays, poor player rotation, and a sensitive defense that gives up too easily. Why? POOR COACHING. There is NO excuse for LSU to give up 50 pts AT HOME. And there is certainly no excuse for LSU to be in overtime games against KY and ARK.
Miles is completely to blame for sloppy coaching. I hope he skips off to Michigan and Auburn is dumb enough to fire Tubberville. Then maybe LSU can get a solid coach who plays hard, fundamental football.
Posted at 12:15PM on Nov 28th 2007 by elcreador1
15. The logic in the last post is absurd. If we go by that system, UGA is already considered "better" than LSU, since UGA beat UK and UK beat LSU. You can't compare teams that way, since it's all about matchups on that day.
On the other hand, Les needs to stop making up excuses about why his underachieving squad is not in the national title game. LSU has had two chances at a guaranteed national title game appearance, being ranked number one twice, if they had won out. They didn't, so they aren't. Instead, why doesn't he focus on UT. It's not that absurd to assume that a two loss LSU team that wins the SEC would jump a two loss UGA team. Take care of business on Saturday, and then let the voters decide. After all, that is why the system is in place.
Posted at 12:55PM on Nov 28th 2007 by tauguga
16. The logic in that last post is absurd. If we are going by that philosophy, then GA would already be considered the better team, since GA beat KY and KY beat LSU.
Instead of making up reasons for LSU to make the national title game, Les needs to concentrate on TN. It's not that wild to assume that LSU would jump a two loss Georgia team given that they win the SEC. Win your game first then let the voters decide the rest. Thats why we have the system in the first place.
Posted at 1:25PM on Nov 28th 2007 by tauguga
17. Idiot!
Posted at 1:28PM on Nov 28th 2007 by Adam
18. hes a jerk a lost is a lost hey michigan find someone who knows that sometimes you play more than 60 min and if you lose overtime ITS A LOST JERK
Posted at 1:32PM on Nov 28th 2007 by bryan
19. As a downtrodden Notre Dame fan, I plead for Michigan to hire this moron.
Posted at 4:09PM on Nov 28th 2007 by 1000 Steps
20. Gadawg,
Will you PLEASE shut up? You make us look like idiots. We weren't even supposed to have a good season this year. I mean, we started something like 30% freshmen. The season we've had has been incredible and at this point we MAY be the best team in the SEC.. possibly the country. But then again, we probably aren't. We should be pretty soon. But stop bragging. When we're undefeated and win it all, I'll be crowing right along with you. But remember, we play in the hardest conference in college football and going undefeated in the SEC is probably the most amazing feat in the country.
As for grapevinesooner, I would love to hear you back up your statement that the SEC is over-rated? A team may lose on any particular day, but the teams in the SEC have a better chance of winning than other conferences. Our lower-tier teams are equal with many mid to upper level teams of other conferences. So please, enlighten me.
Posted at 4:10PM on Nov 28th 2007 by Gil19