Oklahoma Defeats LSU 17 - 13

The Sooners from Oklahoma beat the LSU Tigers Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma in the seasons last regular season game.  The tigers from LSU ended their season like last year in regression of their won-loss record and finished the season 7-5.  The season ended with the firing of head coach Brian Kelly after 4 years as head coach.  His four year record was 9-3, 9-3, 8-4 and 7-5.  LSU failed to be a consistent team during his tenure and in fact became worse.  LSU ended their SEC record in the number 10 slot even behind the two newcomers Texas and Oklahoma.

It demonstrates how far LSU football has fallen in the last 6 years since they won it all in 2019.  Prior to Coach Kelly in Coach Orgeron's last four years LSU won a total of 32 regular season games including all 12 in 2019.  In Kelly's four years LSU won 33 regular season games, one more than coach 0.  LSU's losing record in SEC play this season also indicates how far the Tigers have fallen behind.  There are a lot of newcomers ahead of the Tigers now and coaching is the reason.  

So, now it is Lane Kiffin's turn to prove just what he can do to turn the program around.  Sport journalists will be no help in evaluating his ability.  They tried that in the beginning of this year when most predicted LSU would finish the regular season with an 11-1 or 10-2 record and make the CFP.  But they did not even come close.  So, between now and next season, forget all you hear about what will take place with Lane Kiffin.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

Tulane Head Coach Jon Sumrall and Tulane University Displayed Class and Courage.

Coach Sumrall and Tulane University stood above all the sport's hype that takes place when coaches leave for another school.  Coach Sumrall accepted the head coaching position at Florida University but wanted to coach his Tulane team and players thru finish and be with them to the end.  Tulane agreed that would be good for the team and the players and supported the move.  It was a great decision made with class that thinks more about the players and team, rather than the money.  

Just the opposite took place with Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss.  Kiffin signed on with LSU, took several assistants with him and made the decision not to coach Ole Miss at the most important period of time for his players and team.  He was in his 6th year, Ole Miss compiled a 11-1 record, qualified for the first time to play in the playoffs and have the opportunity to play for the national championship.  So, now when the players and team need Kiffin the most he decides to leave.  Make no mistake, Kiffin had a choice.

Don't be fooled by all the sport's BS that going to LSU was a deal he could not pass up and that LSU was the best thing on the market.  Kiffin is 50 years old, has many, many more years to coach if he intends to do so, so future offers will be much more lucrative if he is indeed a great coach like some people think.  Keep in mind Bear Bryant and Nick Sabin.  The Bear coached at Texas A&M, Kentucky and Alabama.  Sabin coached at Michigan State, LSU and Alabama and Sabin left LSU and both put Alabama on the football map.  Those coaches knew where their future really was.

The other piece of sport's BS is that new coaches need to have an early start for recruiting.  Well, Brian Kelly had an early start and was fired in 4 years.  This writer believes recruiting is not the big thing it once was because of the portal and pay to college players.   It is coaching that counts and this writer believes that a good coach with less talent will always get the best of a poor coached team with more talent.  The NFL proves that every year where at the end of the regular season only between 30-35% of the 32 teams end up with a winning record.

The NCAA needs to step in and forbid contact, direct or indirect between coaches and others before the sport season ends.  And the penalties for a violation should be so severe that no school or coach would even think about violating the rule.  The decision should come easy, it is the players and the team whose interest should come first.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio