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Mettenberger has potential to win game for LSU.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:25 am
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:25 am
This year's visit to LSU has a weird feeling to it. Prognosticators are predicting Alabama to be a touchdown favorite, but we all know that position for position, LSU stacks up better than that against Alabama.
Alabama has a slight edge in a lot of categories, but has played weaker opponents, so the two are pretty much a wash...except for the QB position. Mettenberger has all the tools, but hasn't really put it together yet. If he "comes into form" this Saturday, it could be a 2010 Bama@USCe all over again.
LSU may be good enough to beat Alabama without stellar play from Mett, but they may just run away with it if he shows up to play and has a great game. Some people say it's not a toss up like last year, but I disagree. This game will come down to a lucky play (Reed pick last year?) or a weird ref call (Peterson pick?). Another classic game for the ages.
Alabama has a slight edge in a lot of categories, but has played weaker opponents, so the two are pretty much a wash...except for the QB position. Mettenberger has all the tools, but hasn't really put it together yet. If he "comes into form" this Saturday, it could be a 2010 Bama@USCe all over again.
LSU may be good enough to beat Alabama without stellar play from Mett, but they may just run away with it if he shows up to play and has a great game. Some people say it's not a toss up like last year, but I disagree. This game will come down to a lucky play (Reed pick last year?) or a weird ref call (Peterson pick?). Another classic game for the ages.
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Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:27 am to CrimsonCoast
This post was edited on 10/29/12 at 9:28 am
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:27 am to CrimsonCoast
quote:
but we all know that position for position, LSU stacks up better than that against Alabama.
I think Bama has faced better QB's and WR's than Lsu has at this point. They've got a decided edge on D-line as far as what Bama has faced to this point though. O-line, wait and see. Bama has faced some pretty decent ones to date, imo. And DB's, I think Bama has faced as good as they'll face Sat.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:27 am to CrimsonCoast
quote:
lucky play (Reed pick last year
nice sly dig
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:28 am to CrimsonCoast
well said.
Though I really really hope it doesn't come down to luck or refs...for either side
AJ has looked great...Mett has had some opportunities but hasn't put all the pieces together.
I don't think 10 points ought to be the spread here at all.
Though I really really hope it doesn't come down to luck or refs...for either side
AJ has looked great...Mett has had some opportunities but hasn't put all the pieces together.
I don't think 10 points ought to be the spread here at all.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:28 am to CrimsonCoast
quote:
lucky play (Reed pick last year?)
so much fail.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:29 am to CrimsonCoast
If LSU wins it'll in spite of their quarterback, not because of it. Just like it's been every game since Flynn left.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:30 am to Maximus
quote:
lucky play (Reed pick last year
This post makes sense so I'll resist the urge to call you on ReId not ReEd. Fully agree with the OP thoughts though
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:30 am to CrimsonCoast
I just don't see it. It's the biggest game of the year and bama knows it, they will mindfrick mett
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:30 am to CrimsonCoast
quote:
Mettenberger has all the tools
No, he does not.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:31 am to Alahunter
I wonder what kind of threads alahunter will be starting after his team loses this Saturday?
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:33 am to CrimsonCoast
quote:
Mettenberger has all the tools, but hasn't really put it together yet.
I would argue that he's still slow reading defenses and recognizing pressure. Combine that with an inability to connect downfield with receivers and you have a QB who does not have all the tools.
Edit: Also, he's a frickin' statue.
This post was edited on 10/29/12 at 9:34 am
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:33 am to CrimsonCoast
LSU seems to have had a strange split personality this year. I know they can beat anyone on any given day, but they have really looked mediocre at times, at least on offense. This is not a game I would wager on, that's for sure.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:37 am to GerryDiNardo
quote:
I would argue that he's still slow reading defenses and recognizing pressure.
That's my point. There comes a time (hopefully) in every player's career where the game starts to slow down and decisions are made quicker and easier. It didn't happen until after the first LSU game last year for AJ and he was much better in the last few games because of it. If it happens for Mett this week, then it could mean all the difference in this game.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:39 am to CrimsonCoast
quote:
There comes a time (hopefully) in every player's career where the game starts to slow down and decisions are made quicker and easier.
there is a long long list of QBs who never reached that point. every fanbase can probably name 5 from their team without much effort
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:40 am to CrimsonCoast
quote:
There comes a time (hopefully) in every player's career where the game starts to slow down and decisions are made quicker and easier.
took jason campbell 3 years. Aaron Murray still hasn't figured this out, hopefully mett looks like mett saturday, but it wouldn't be the first time a doofus QB lit up bama (i'm looking at you garcia)
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:41 am to CrimsonCoast
quote:
That's my point. There comes a time (hopefully) in every player's career where the game starts to slow down and decisions are made quicker and easier. It didn't happen until after the first LSU game last year for AJ and he was much better in the last few games because of it. If it happens for Mett this week, then it could mean all the difference in this game.
Bama is one of the best at disguising coverages and blitzes. I have doubts it will suddenly click this weekend for him.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:45 am to Master of Sinanju
The game won't be in Mett's hands. LSU will rely on its blocking scheme against stacked boxes. Anyone looking for >2 WR sets with a slot receiver as opposed to a TE close to the line will be sore once the game starts.
LSU's gonna use the same formula it has to get here, because against all but one opponent this year, it's gotten really good results out of its run game.
Seriously, we turned it over inside the red zone against AU driving to go up 14-0, and turned it over again on their side of the field mid-drive. Other than that, UF we got stoned, but USC & A&M had good DL play and our OL allowed the running game to do more than just get untracked.
Mett will try to make plays deep, and methinks the TE for LSU may make an appearance on quick reads and hot-routes.
LSU will run some Iso-Toss Dives, some outside tosses early on, and while obviously we will look to gain positive yardage, it will mainly be to see how Bama's Defense keys and defends those plays. IE-Which DL pursue and what they read.
LSU will then start varying up its blocking assignments based on what it reads and will try to establish the run.
Bama Fans may be surprised at LSU pounding the rock even against 9 men. But we will do it and have done it well against the last two good defenses. Understood Bama is an altogether different animal, but Les is gonna dance w/what brung him.
Regardless, Mett could win the game for LSU, but won't be called on to do so. The run game will be asked to posses the ball and weaken the Bama DL & Front 7. Whether it achieves this remains to be seen and will tell the tale of whether LSU is competitive or whether Bama is able to stuff the run, force balance (IE-making Mettenberger throw more than just to keep Bama honest) and dictate tempo.
I think Alabama's offense is going to get stymied. Their biggest weapon in this game will be the TE and I think they will go to it early just like last year. If LSU can defend that, then my honest opinion is that AJ will not take the shots down the field he is used to.
He's not a hesitant QB. Actually been really aggressive, to tell the truth. The problem is that he's had receivers open for those shots, sometimes ridiculously so. Chief's Secondary is going to cover far better and the DL & LB's will create some issues for protection.
AJ won't throw in those situations. He's mobile enough to break contain, and that's when I think the check downs may cause LSU some problems. The backs & TE's may be the Achilles' tendon here if AJ gets pressured and his deep shots are gone.
The run game is going to be stopped. Without balance and the threat of credible PA pass, the game will be in AJ's hands.
I think he's capable of winning it for Bama on offense. It'll be up to his individual execution against our Secondary. I like matchup.
I could see LSU winning or losing close. I can see Bama cruising. Just don't have a good read on this game. However comma, the old cliche about throwing out the records and rankings holds true here.
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 were absolute wars, and the first three of these 5 were when pronounced advantages were expected (2007 for LSU, '08 & '09 for Bama). I think LSU plays Bama as close a game as they see all year.
Tough to call, so I'm not gonna.
LSU's gonna use the same formula it has to get here, because against all but one opponent this year, it's gotten really good results out of its run game.
Seriously, we turned it over inside the red zone against AU driving to go up 14-0, and turned it over again on their side of the field mid-drive. Other than that, UF we got stoned, but USC & A&M had good DL play and our OL allowed the running game to do more than just get untracked.
Mett will try to make plays deep, and methinks the TE for LSU may make an appearance on quick reads and hot-routes.
LSU will run some Iso-Toss Dives, some outside tosses early on, and while obviously we will look to gain positive yardage, it will mainly be to see how Bama's Defense keys and defends those plays. IE-Which DL pursue and what they read.
LSU will then start varying up its blocking assignments based on what it reads and will try to establish the run.
Bama Fans may be surprised at LSU pounding the rock even against 9 men. But we will do it and have done it well against the last two good defenses. Understood Bama is an altogether different animal, but Les is gonna dance w/what brung him.
Regardless, Mett could win the game for LSU, but won't be called on to do so. The run game will be asked to posses the ball and weaken the Bama DL & Front 7. Whether it achieves this remains to be seen and will tell the tale of whether LSU is competitive or whether Bama is able to stuff the run, force balance (IE-making Mettenberger throw more than just to keep Bama honest) and dictate tempo.
I think Alabama's offense is going to get stymied. Their biggest weapon in this game will be the TE and I think they will go to it early just like last year. If LSU can defend that, then my honest opinion is that AJ will not take the shots down the field he is used to.
He's not a hesitant QB. Actually been really aggressive, to tell the truth. The problem is that he's had receivers open for those shots, sometimes ridiculously so. Chief's Secondary is going to cover far better and the DL & LB's will create some issues for protection.
AJ won't throw in those situations. He's mobile enough to break contain, and that's when I think the check downs may cause LSU some problems. The backs & TE's may be the Achilles' tendon here if AJ gets pressured and his deep shots are gone.
The run game is going to be stopped. Without balance and the threat of credible PA pass, the game will be in AJ's hands.
I think he's capable of winning it for Bama on offense. It'll be up to his individual execution against our Secondary. I like matchup.
I could see LSU winning or losing close. I can see Bama cruising. Just don't have a good read on this game. However comma, the old cliche about throwing out the records and rankings holds true here.
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 were absolute wars, and the first three of these 5 were when pronounced advantages were expected (2007 for LSU, '08 & '09 for Bama). I think LSU plays Bama as close a game as they see all year.
Tough to call, so I'm not gonna.
Posted on 10/29/12 at 9:47 am to GFunk
He sure hasn't shown it.
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