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Les Miles Opens Mouth, Crazy Talk Billows Forth

Brian Grummell — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:18:00 EST

Filed under: Chiefs, LSU Football, USC Football, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10, SEC, The Word

What is it about the SEC that compels folks to regularly combine a fetid brew of boastfulness with ignorance? The latest example Via The Wizard of Odds provides all kinds of quotable outward contempt from LSU coach Les Miles towards count 'em 1)USC, 2)the Pac-10 and 3)the Big 12/everyone else. The following comments were made during an interview with New Orleans radio station WWL as reported by Carl DuBois of The Advocate.

Let's go through this piece-by-piece, shall we? Analysis after the jump.

Les Miles, whose team is a popular pick to play in this season's BCS title game opposite USC, is calling into question the strength of the Pacific 10 Conference, suggesting the Trojans should be a cinch to make it to the Jan. 7 game in New Orleans because of a suspect league schedule.

"I can tell you this, that they have a much easier road to travel," Miles said. "They're going to play real knockdown drag-outs with UCLA and Washington, Cal-Berkeley, Stanford - some real juggernauts - and they're going to end up, it would be my guess, in some position so if they win a game or two, that they'll end up in the title [game].

"I would like that path for us. I think the SEC provides much stiffer competition."

You could have said the same thing last year about USC and yet they lost TWICE in the supposedly weak Pac-10. That same two-time Pac-10 loser also won on the road against the eventual SEC runner-up Arkansas Razorbacks. The score of that game was 50-14, by-the-way.

How about 2005, when USC crushed Arkansas 70-17? They had far more competition that year against Fresno State and Arizona State than Arkansas.

Or look at 2004, when USC won by 11 on the road against Virginia Tech in the opener and stomped Oklahoma in the championship game 55-19. Their toughest games that season were in fact against Pac-10 foes like Stanford, Oregon State and UCLA.

Finally, how about 2003 when USC lost in triple overtime before a frothing Cal crowd and nearly lost the next week on the road against Arizona State before getting its act together and later demolishing a fine Michigan squad in the Rose Bowl. One of the Trojans' easiest games that year was on the road against the SEC's Auburn Tigers, a 23-0 victory. That's more than can be said for Miles whose road record against the Tigers is 0-1 after last year's dreadful 7-3 defeat. For many years now the pattern for USC under Pete Carroll has been to crush out-of-conference foes but struggle in about half of their Pac-10 games. The same thing is likely to happen this year as USC's efforts at going undefeated will be challenged a handful of times within conference play.

It is in fact the Pac-10 which provides the most consistent competition for its members and for USC. In the past 16 years, four teams have gone undefeated in SEC play. In that same time period, only two Pac-10 teams have survived conference play unbeaten. Think about that for a moment: over the past 16 years, the likelihood of a team going undefeated through SEC play is greater than the likelihood of a team going undefeated in Pac-10 play. That pours just a little bit of water on the SEC hype, doesn't it?

Pac-10 teams might not always be as talented, but thanks to the available talent, quality coaching and ability to scheme on both sides of the ball, the Pac-10 is incredibly difficult to survive without recording a few losses. The league might not be as deep as the SEC, but it may just be even more competitive.

Put simply, Miles' argument is both bogus and ignorant.

Miles does acknowledge that he'd like to play USC in this year's title game. But then, the game would be a virtual home game for his Tigers, playing in the Sugar Bowl. Tough talk, eh, coach? Somehow I doubt he'd be as comfortable asking for a piece of USC if the hypothetical title game matchup were in Pasadena.

Anyway, the tough talk didn't end with USC or the Pac-10. The remainder of the rant was more or less "ur conference is teh suck, we r hawt, tackle football, boom. w00t."

"The Big 12 is a conference that might have two really pretty good teams, maybe four. I think the Pac-10 may have one or two really good ones. The ACC certainly, arguably, has some quality teams.

"I don't think there's any conference out there that has as many quality teams as ours."

Ohhh kayyy coach. When do we get to kiss the ring?

My FanHouse colleague Brian Cook Is certain to be scratching his head at all of this. SEC fans are quick to forget that the Big Ten handed two favored SEC teams losses in bowl games last year. Traditional SEC power Alabama also lost, falling to Miles' former bosses at Oklahoma State. Bowl games tend to be a bit flukey, but the bigger picture here is that the SEC's dominance isn't as clear-cut as told by its backers.

Look, I like the SEC, the league has really grown on me. However, this kind of talk is insane. It's unsolicited, it demeans other conferences (whose members sometimes you know, BEAT SEC teams, not that anyone wants to talk about that) and isn't all that intelligent to begin with. It is talk that needs to be challenged.

After reading this, the fact that Les Miles has a vote in the coaches poll ... is frightening. The article suggests that he takes that task seriously, but his views and demeanor arguably show an inability to provide a fair vote on non-SEC teams. Is this a good thing?

Les Miles Opens Mouth, Crazy Talk Billows Forth originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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College Eye: What the Vikings Can Expect From Adrian Peterson

Brian Grummell — Tue, 01 May 2007 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Draft, Oklahoma Football, Big 12, NFL Prospects, Oklahoma

Considered the top power plus speed back in over a decade, Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson fell into the Vikings' lap at number seven in the draft. Peterson was the nation's top player coming out of high school and left school a year early as the nation's top back. Not bad. Now it's his time to prove that he's more Eric Dickerson than Hershel Walker in the NFL.

A view on his chances from a guy who watched him play three years ...

Pros: Peterson is incredibly competitive. He wants to win on every down and goes hard at his work in games, in practice and in the offseason. His combination of physical attributes (height, weight, strength and nearly world class speed) are nearly unmatched. Peterson can run inside and play the NFL's grind it out game and he can break tackles and bounce it outside for big gains.

Cons: Injury history. Peterson has missed several games each of the last two seasons recuperating from various maladies. The cumulative workload of being the man for four years in high school and a breakout freshman season for the Sooners meant lost playing time the last two years. It only gets tougher in the NFL and he has to find a way to protect his body more.

Youth. Peterson only played three seasons of college football. The general line of thought is that an experienced player can enter the NFL more game-ready, is more mature, has seen more and is simply less in need of being coached up.

Overall: If he can stay healthy Peterson will become the face of the Vikings franchise and deliver some tremendous performances particularly early in his career while his legs are fresh and wear-and-tear begin to take him out of action. Potentially he's a pro bowl and hall-of-fame type back and should provide solid returns at worst for much of his career. Can do it all especially if he adds a receiving element to his game.

Previously at FanHouse:
Peterson Would Look Mighty Sweet in Purple
Everything You Wanted to Know About Adrian Peterson
College Eye for the NFL Guy: Adrian Peterson
Peterson's Collarbone Could Be a Lot Worse Than Expected

College Eye: What the Vikings Can Expect From Adrian Peterson originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 01 May 2007 18:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adrian Peterson: Not So Fast to the NFL

Gilbert Sam Jr. — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:24:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Draft, Oklahoma Football, Big 12

Looks like if Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson has intention of turning pro, he's not telling the media. Well, only before January 15, the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft. Recently Peterson told The East Valley Tribune, on declaring his NFL draft status after the Fiesta Bowl.

"It's a big decision, but I'm waiting until after the game to finalize that," Peterson told the Tribune.

Sooner fans remember April 5, 2006, when Peterson spoke early about entering the NFL draft:

"I wouldn't say that," Peterson said Wednesday, addressing the issue for the first time. "Anything can happen. Injuries or whatever - God's will they don't. "I'm not worried about that. I'm focused on this season and making a run back to the Big 12 championship and hopefully a chance for the national championship." And beyond that? "I could see myself being here," Peterson said.

However, that's before Peterson's season ending collarbone injury in a win over Iowa State in October.

After the Fiesta Bowl, Sooner Nation and the respective NFL bottom feeder fans, can expect a likely announcement on Tuesday, January 9^th. As previously noted, I fully expect the Houston Texans to select Adrian Peterson at 5^th selection. However, never rule out a 2007 return.

Adrian Peterson: Not So Fast to the NFL originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AD is Back for the Fiesta Bowl: How about '07?

Gilbert Sam Jr. — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Draft, Oklahoma Football, Big 12, Bowl Games, NCAA FB Injuries, Boise State Football

Oklahoma's superstar running back Adrian Peterson has made it clear - he is coming back for the Fiesta Bowl. "I love the game. That's why I play," Peterson said Wednesday, in his first public statement since his collarbone injury in an October 14 win over Iowa State.

For some Oklahoma fans that's not enough. Peterson a junior this year is short 151 yards of breaking Oklahoma's all-time career rushing record of Billy Sims at 4,118 yards. A 2007 Peterson return to Norman, would mean a mature Oklahoma team, and a certain contender for the National Championship.

Although, for AD there's so much more on the line personally, a certain top 10 draft selection, and millions of dollars. Some would wonder why risk an injury in what some Oklahoma fans call a "meaningless game." But this is AD, All-day - but why?

"I've been playing the game since I was 7. A lot of guys have been speculating, saying this and saying that, 'He's not coming back. Why should he play?' "I love the game. That's why I play. I love the game. I love the guys I play with. The guys are excited for me to be back out there. So I'm excited to get back in the groove." Adrian Peterson, in a Wednesday Press Conference

Like most of his past, this is all his decision. Only that us fans - we all know when we see a special player, we don't want to see it end. Only Sooner fans hope, that Peterson returns for what set out for in college, a Heisman Trophy, couple Red River Wins, possible number 1 selection and that National Championship. But then again - every player dreams of playing in the NFL, Peterson certainly will be there, just only when and where.

Myself, I see Peterson falling to fifth or sixth in the 2007 draft, in all likelihood to the Houston Texans. But, I wouldn't count out seeing Peterson back in Crimson and Cream for 2007. What are your 2007 Adrian Peterson predictions?

AD is Back for the Fiesta Bowl: How about '07? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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