I rewatched the game yesterday - apparently I'm a glutton for punishment. It was a sloppy game by both teams, but I don't think it's the end of the world for LSU. We arguably outplayed them in the first half; however, we just couldn't capitalize when we needed to.
I said a few days before the game that our glaring weakness - the secondary - does not matchup up at all against their elite wide receivers. Let this marinate, LSU's own pre and postgame host for the LSU Sports Radio Network, Hunt Palmer, went on the record and predicted FSU to win due to this huge discrepancy. I mean, talk about blatant honesty.
The fact is, we've got transfers from South Eastern Louisiana, Marshall, and Syracuse trying to cover their elite wide receivers. That's a talent issue. This is one of our worst secondaries in decades. Sadly, it stung even more when FSU's leading wide receiver, Keon Coleman, who had 9 catches for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns is from our own backyard - Opelousas, Louisiana.
That said, we played pretty sloppy and didn't simply capitalize. LSU's run blocking was poor, we dropped key, critical passes. For example, the last play in the 3rd quarter, it's a 24-17 game, and on a 1st and 10, Brian Thomas simply drops a would be 45 yard completion that would have put us inside the FSU 10 yard line to go in for the tie. Kelly even asked, "What the hell happened?" A better thrown ball would have been 6 (assuming he caught it). The next play, Daniels throws that interception and it just snowballed after that.
In sum, they were the better team, the more physical team, and the more complete team. They outcoached us on offense, defense, and special teams. It's pretty simple; they're just better than we are.
Now, for the silver lining:
-Admittedly, I'm no Belichick, Saban, or Driskell, but I truly believe that FSU is the best team we'll play all year. I honestly think they would be Alabama. If you stuck them in the SEC, they are the 2nd best team in the league - maybes 1st (I'd have to see Georgia's QB play).
-Like ND, they've got a great, 6th year QB, their wide receivers, defensive, and offensive lines are experienced and elite. Their linebackers and secondary are plenty adequate.
-After watching the Clemson - Duke game last night, and not to take anything away from Duke and Elko (they're a legitimate top 25 team), but FSU is routing Clemson. Quickly glancing at their schedule: Southern Miss, @ BC, @ Clemson, VT, Syracuse, Duke, @ Wake, @ Pitt, Miami, North Alabama, @ Florida...I don't see one loss. I know the ACC has scrapped its divisions, but I presume their opponent in the Championship game would be UNC, Clemson (again), maybe Duke? UNC would be a good one, but again, I'm not sure FSU is losing in the regular season and ACC-Championship. Again, I'm not Saban or Coach-D, but I think they're a legitimate Playoff and championship contender.