Getty ImagesThe always quotable Les Miles said it right after the game. “This is truly a place where opponents’ dreams go to die.”
For No. 3 South Carolina, that would be the dream of an undefeated season, though we should make an amendment to Miles’ proclamation after his ninth-ranked Tigers held off the Gamecocks 23-21 Saturday night. South Carolina can still win the SEC East.It can still win the SEC championship and it can still in theory compete for a BCS championship with a little bit of help.
All of those goals are still within sight, but the path to Miami for the 2013 BCS title got a tad fuzzier for the Gamecocks. For LSU, there’s still hope after a 14-6 loss to No. 4 Florida in the Swamp in Week 6. Not much really changes for both of these teams, but yet another win in Death Valley shows that, no, you can never count out LSU no matter what happens to be ailing the team that week.
In fact, Miles has nearly a perfect record following a loss. Rebounding is as much a tradition for Miles and LSU as Mike the Tiger and tailgating. Not to mention the tradition of a great defensive line. South Carolina ran all over Georgia a week ago, but was only able to put up 34 yards on the ground against the Tigers tonight. In fact, LSU’s offense outgained South Carolina’s by almost 200 yards (406-211) on almost 20 more plays.
It was a tight game, but LSU controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides.
The Tigers’ next three games don’t provide any time to celebrate. Next up is surprising Texas A&M, which is currently taking care of business against Louisiana Tech. Then comes the Nov. 3 home game against top-ranked Alabama before another home game against Mississippi State. LSU then ends the year with two rivalry games against Ole Miss and Arkansas.
Based on all of that, nothing would seem guaranteed for LSU, but Miles’ team is nevertheless in a position to get back to Atlanta for the SEC championship; a loss to the Gamecocks would have put a major damper on those goals.
Speaking of USCe, a critical game at Florida awaits next week. Though Georgia is still in the mix for a SEC East title, Week 8’s match-up in the Swamp could prove critical for the two East division favorites.
Tonight was no doubt a huge win for LSU — it was certainly a bigger win for the Tigers than it was a loss for the Gamecocks — but with the overall level of football these two teams are playing, mainly on defense, it may not be the last time they meet this season.
Was that “the real USC” that we saw against LSU? You know, the USC with no National Championships, that won’t win this year either?
I don’t usually watch SEC games, but this was a good ‘un.
Geaux Tigers!!!
frank: I, too, get a kick out of Gamecock fans claiming they’re “the real USC.” Except you don’t see that logo on South Carolina uniforms for a legal reason: In January 2010 a federal appeals court rejected their petition to use “USC” on their baseball team clothing. Seems another university somewhat to the west already had that moniker. The attorney for South Carolina gives a great quote at the end of the story with typical Southern gentleman class.
From NBC:
After further review, the U.S. Patent and Trademark review board’s decision stands.
A federal appeals court rejected South Carolina’s petition to use the letters “USC” on the Fighting Gamecocks baseball team’s uniforms. The decision upholds the Patent and Trademark Office board’s ruling regarding the University of Southern California’s claim to the logo.
Scott Edelman, an attorney representing USC, — the LA USC — said the ruling protects the school’s “primary athletic mark.” He said the logo, used on team clothing and equipment, brings in significant revenue.
Nobody would confuse a Trojan for a Gamecock, but he said people might mistake South Carolina merchandise for Trojan merchandise if the garnet-and-black of South Carolina and the cardinal-and-gold of Southern California both carried the same “USC” logo.
“I think they wanted to move away from the gamecock logo,” Edelman said of South Carolina. “Something that is totally understandable.”
He described the proud, noble and feisty Gamecock as “a goofy little chicken.”
Neil C. Jones, an attorney representing the University of South Carolina, said “Southern manners” would not allow him to respond to Edelman’s comments.
Jones said school officials have not decided whether to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
@ thecrazyasianinseccountry
STFU dude, nobody cares about all that shit!
Sorry, that was directed at this idiot: manchestermiracle
crazyasian: You predicted it! Thank you. I had a head and heart conflict, I am glad the game satisfied my heart and not my head.
That was a fun game~!
This was a great game, ebb and flow, back and forth. LSU’s defense came through against a great RB and sometimes against their great QB as well. LSU’s offensive line gave Mett enough time and he was able to conduct the offense well enough to give the defense time to rest and be ready to play to the quality they did. Coach Spurrier called some special plays which worked well for them.
All the well over 60 people who came to our open air huge screen tv broadcast of the game really enjoyed it. We all had a blast, with a few heart palpitations along the way. Montgomery was so overjoyed to make several big plays against his high school friends that he acted like a rookie a few times…ha.
Freshmen/Rookies came through for LSU. Miles playing those freshmen during the majority of the first games and barely winning a couple and under-performing Vegas odds and point spreads, truly helped LSU win this game. The LSU team played more as a team. Miles put points on the board via a couple of field goals, while everyone here wanted him to go for the touchdown, but all recognized at the end Miles was right, and we were wrong. He learned well from Bo and from his stent with the Dallas Cowboys.
LSU fans (and our USC alums and friends) will be talking about this one for awhile.
A shout out to my friend, florida727: I tried Parmigiano-Reggiano on the organic hull-less popcorn and it tasted great. You said I would thank you later, and here I am later thanking you! ha.
Whew! what a game.
@ Frank
You and Kiffen look pretty in pink.
@ Manchester
Y’all make a great threesome..you look like a pro on the reach around.
clemsonstillsucks says:Oct 14, 2012 12:50 AM
@ Frank
You and Kiffen look pretty in pink.
@ Manchester
Y’all make a great threesome..you look like a pro on the reach around.
==================================
Moron-
I don’t even like the USC out west. But the Gamecock fans sound like complete idiots calling themselves “the real USC” when they don’t have nearly the body of work or football history that Southern California does.
Since you know what it takes to look like a “pro” on the reach around, my guess is that you have a wealth of experience, and you are speaking from your own acquired knowledge. I’m happy that you’ve found something that satisfies you.
One more thing. At least spell “Kiffin” right. There are tons of references to him on here, and although the guy is a complete douche, you could at least not reinforce the fact that the state of South Carolina has one of the worst education systems in the country. Please, give us a little bit of hope that it’s getting better.
Just to tweak houndofthebasketcase and clemsonstillsucks (like you):
Why is it LSU has taken to calling their home turf Death Valley? Does something stink there? The real Death Valley is a desert out in California. Can’t y’all come up with your own original thinking?
The California desert doesn’t have a stadium with 90,000 drunk cajuns ya tard, and its been Death Valley at LSU for as long as I can remember.
Clemson adopted it because after you have waited for 3-4 hours to get out of town after the game you would rather kill yourself than ever go back. Very simple.
@southernpatriots
I might have said LSU was going to win but it my hearts or heart I was thinking, “OMG!!! We’ve better win!!” Mingo was awesome all night spying on QB Shaw and not let him have the big runs tonight like he did against Ga.
My wife had to give me a shot of adrenaline after Zach threw and INT and South Carolina taking it 70 yards to the one… After I woke up from passing out I wanted to choke my wife and her, “why?! Why are you so cruel to wake me up to see this!??! Why?”
She’s like look, ” tell my husband whenever he gets back from Crazyworld, you let me know so I won’t have to slap the wrong person again!
You’re either going to have to calm down and watch the game or I’m changing the channel to Home and Garden!!”
Needless to say I calmed down and so did the Tigers offense and they came back and defeated a very good South Carolina’s Team. God Bless! Geaux Tigers!!
Apparently both LSU and SoCarolina are taking a page from UGA….and that’s making sure their fans have absolutely no idea before a game which version of their team will show up.
@ Manchester,
I’m confused. You post a patent case regarding baseball uniforms, then back pedal, suggesting “moniker” rights belong only to rich histories, superior records, etc.
So, I guess Carolina is entitled to the moniker, since its baseball record is far superior to that of Southen Cal?
Honestly, I”ve never h
FYI: I tend to mispell from time-to-time, but don’t care. Because spelling is only a vietue if you’ve no other skills. I’m an engineer.
crazyasian:
You are fun, and you have fun! All the fans here really enjoyed the game, though I also just about had to be revived after the 70 yard interception return.
Several fans who came to see it in our “drive-in” experience here had to walk away and only came back about 5 minutes later. 34 rushing yards for South Carolina. 34 yards? whew. LSU defense was stout. Forced Shaw to pass, which he did very well at times, but also gave LSU the opportunity to flex but not fail, stop a few important drives.
21 consecutive wins in Death Valley, Tiger Stadium, LSU. There are few things that compare to night games at LSU against a quality opponent. Spurrier had his team ready to play, Connor Shaw executed the game plan and connected on some great throws.
Gotta get ready for “Dem Saints” and hope they are able to build on last week. Must enjoy this weekend, because much work to be done next week to get at least some evacuees back into their homes.
@houndofthebaskervols:
The Clemson Tigers’ Memorial Stadium was known as “Death Valley” long before LSU. The rumors around LSU’s history is that their stadium was originally nicknamed “Deaf Valley” but was changed because people thought it was “Death Valley” after CU. Look it up.
The Tiger.Droppings post is probably as close as you can get. For me it’s USC and U$C. Simple. USC has an inferiority complex, IMHO.
I lived in the Baton Rouge area for forty something years, and in normal conversation it was referred to as Tiger Stadium. You saw Death Valley and the Deaf Dome [Maravich Assembly Center] mostly in the media.
Typical Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. I could sense the electricity over the TV and it brought back many memories from my 20+ years of season tickets.
A good game that hinged on a couple of big plays. Very few penalties. The fans got their money’s worth.
southernpatriots says:
Oct 14, 2012 8:13 AM
Gotta get ready for “Dem Saints” and hope they are able to build on last week. Must enjoy this weekend, because much work to be done next week to get at least some evacuees back into their homes.
+-+-+
The Saints have a bye this week, SP.
I’d hate to let all that food you prepared go to waste . . .
Considering Carolina was founded A year before the other school we are The Real USC. But your right we don’t have their rich history of cheating and giving back heisman trophies and being banned from bowl games you are correct sir. When our guys screw up they get suspended and thrown off the team out there they get protected and allowed to lie
cometkazie:
How did you like the tens of thousands of LSU fans all wearing gold? That really looked nice. My wife was trying to locate a gold shirt in XXL last week and in all the warehouses and stores in Baton Rouge, after an exhaustive search, they found one…we just didn’t know all the gold LSU shirts were bought by the fans going to South Carolina game. Defeating #3 in Tiger Stadium. That will go down as another marque win in the fans’ lexicon.
Miles in numerous interviews over local tv and radio all week encouraged fans to make their presence known. They did. Shaw could not scream loud enough for them to hear the count, so the Gamecock OL was one tick behind, giving Barkevious Mingo, Montgomery, et al a step advantage and throughout the game, that 12th man, the LSU fans, made a difference.
The interview with Miles and Spurrier following the game was also entertaining. Both were candid, and Miles greatly commended the fans.
I know LSU fans here in deep south Louisiana will enjoy that win for awhile. LSU has little time to enjoy it though, they have to prepare for A&M at Kyle Field, College Station. No real time to rest. The gauntlet of the SEC West schedule is upon us.
cometkazie:
The young folks will play a video of the Saints’ win! ha. They will not miss the opportunity to see the Saints on Sunday! (now that is an addiction, but don’t tell them I said that). No “bye week” for rabid fans! ha.
Mettenberger said: “I thought the old man at left tackle [sixth-year senior Josh Dworaczyk] had a hell of a game, he was on [Jadeveon] Clowney all night.” –TigerDroppings.com article
Many fans, including me, thought Josh was the man for the job at left tackle. He is the player-coach, he is the emotional leader of the OL, and he knows what to do, and working with his coaches he knew what to do to neutralize Clowney most of the night. Not every play, but most plays. That was enough to give LSU a running lane, Mett to have enough time to throw, and LSU to make numerous long drives chewing up large chunks of the clock, allowing the LSU defense a rest and keeping Shaw and the Gamecock offense off the field.
Josh really had a great game and exampled how to play to the rookies playing alongside him. They knew he had Clowney all night. They knew what kind of job he was doing on Clowney. That motivated them to do well on their man.
@manchestermiracle
You refer to legal case for not using a duplicate logo, not calling oneself the real USC. The real USC was established in 1801, as South Carolina College, 50 years before Cali was even a state. It became USC in 1865, 15 years before the establishment of a little private school, nicknamed the Fighting Methodist, in 1880. You can call whomever, whatever you want, but fact is the original and oldest USC is in Columbia, SC.
Ha ha … didn’t think they were done. Posted last week that South Carolina would probably be overinflated and LSU was still dangerous. And look what happened!!
SP: This colored shirt thing is recent. I have a nice golden shirt from the T&F Officials Assn I could have loaned you.
When I started going to Tiger Stadium in the ’50s, the people who sat on the sidelines always dressed for the game. We in the South End Zone, always capitalized BTW, didn’t have to worry.
Deb: I had a feeling the Tigers would do a bit better than last week. Good feelings coming from the stadium.
floridacock says:Oct 14, 2012 1:46 PM
@manchestermiracle
You refer to legal case for not using a duplicate logo, not calling oneself the real USC. The real USC was established in 1801, as South Carolina College, 50 years before Cali was even a state. It became USC in 1865, 15 years before the establishment of a little private school, nicknamed the Fighting Methodist, in 1880. You can call whomever, whatever you want, but fact is the original and oldest USC is in Columbia, SC.
==================================
And still, after all that, no national championships in football, a lesser academic standing than the other USC, and a bunch of grown men and women running around in shirts and hats that say “COCKS”.
Awesome.
@cometkazie …
Don’t mean to knock South Carolina because I do like Spurrier … but you could just see this coming a mile away! They seem to have a history of letting down after a big win. And I just couldn’t see LSU dropping two in a row–not with that defense. I’m a big admirer of Eric Reid. That young man always puts himself in a position to make big plays when they’re most needed.
Southernpatriots[
still tryin]; to all the naysayers Nanny Nanny Boo Boo. It was a heartstopper for sure but oh does it feel good to be a Tiger Fan from Bayou.
Here’s to all the Good People havin a good week.
Coach Les Miles in his weekly press conference today and prep material on A&M, also spoke of the LSU fans in Tiger Stadium last Saturday. He said, they began to shake the stadium early, prior to the game, and stayed around doing it until well after the game was over.
He said he usually exits the stadium and gets in his car to head home about 2 hours after the game ends each time. By that time, all the game traffic is gone and he has the road to himself. However, after the game with South Carolina, when Miles got in his car, most of the fans were still in the stadium or in the parking lot and there was a non-moving parking lot in the streets. Fans were not going home. Miles said that he loved that and hoped LSU could keep its fans that activated all season.
Miles has now coached 100 games at LSU. He is now 81 – 19. 81% winning record! That is huge for 100 games and that is in rarified air. Few are with him with that percentage at 100 games. He has now won 18 games and only lost one after losing a game. LSU now has a continuing national record for the most consecutive wins its stadium at 22. All of that indicates good recruiting and good coaching.
LSU has not played their best football yet this season. I, and everybody in Louisiana, believe in the Tigers and know they will play hard going forward.
materialman80: Well said!
For all LSU fans, the 2013 Tiger Football schedule is now official:
Aug. 31 TCU in Arlington, Texas”Cowboy Classic”
Sept. 7 Kent State in Baton Rouge
Sept. 14 UAB in Baton Rouge
Sept. 21 Auburn in Baton Rouge
Sept. 28 Georgia in Athens, Ga.
Oct. 5 Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss.
Oct. 12 Florida in Baton Rouge
Oct. 19 Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss.
Oct. 26 Furman in Baton Rouge
Nov. 2 Open
Nov. 9 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Nov. 16 Open
Nov. 23 Texas A&M in Baton Rouge
Nov. 30 Arkansas in Baton Rouge
The SEC Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 7 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Looking forward to the LSU v. TAMU game at Kyle Field. If the money boys in charge of ESPN had put the LSU-TAMU game on at the same time as Texas, they would have lost alot of money on the Texas game with negative tv viewership ratings.