re: LSU didn't get worse, the SEC West got better.

I guess Urban Meyer didnt do that at Florida or ohio State.
Jimbo Fisher with both florida and miami a mess.
Chip kelly at Oregon.
Gene Chizik won with Cam Newton and was a shite show when he graduated.
This is Les Miles tenure at LSU in a nutshell. Anything he did positive had outside influences; anything that went wrong was because of him. for 11 years and never once did he lose his cool at being disrespected.

At least he didnt invent a disease to quit. These others didnt deal with the largest city become the third largest over night or a former coach at LSU taking the bama gig.

What an advantage for Saban that he knew all the high school coaches in Louisiana when Miles was still trying to shake hands. Miles dug in and with just a few breaks couldve really had a run. Certainly he was fortunate as well in a few things and this is not to take away anything that Saban has accomplished.

But I do agree with your overall premise that LSU is just an above average program at best unless they get a great coach or great QB. Some of the faithful think LSu sits on a burial ground or something and will win regardless of coach.