FROM THE REAL ART SPORTS DESK
BAYOU BENGALS SLASH ANOTHER RANKED ROAD OPPONENT

Texas didn't play last weekend, but LSU sure did.

From the AP via ESPN:

Jarrett Lee tosses 3 TDs as LSU makes case for No. 1 with drubbing of WVU

Jarrett Lee had another solid performance with three touchdown passes, Michael Ford ran for two scores and LSU beat No. 16 West Virginia 47-21 Saturday night.

And

The Tigers (4-0) converted two of the four turnovers they created into scores, built a big early lead and withstood West Virginia's strong comeback for its third win over a ranked opponent this season, with all of three coming away from home. Every win so far has been by double digits.

And

Pinned deep by superb punting from Brad Wing, who averaged 49 yards on six kicks, West Virginia time after time stared at needing to drive the length of the field. The Mountaineers started six possessions inside their 15.

More here.

Here's a useful phrase for understanding what I'm seeing from the Tigers this season, "full spectrum dominance." From Wikipedia:

Full-spectrum dominance is a military concept whereby a joint military structure achieves control over all elements of the battlespace using land, air, maritime and space based assets.

Full spectrum dominance includes the physical battlespace; air, surface and sub-surface as well as the electromagnetic spectrum and information space. Control implies that freedom of opposition force assets to exploit the battlespace is wholly constrained.

Sure, it's military terminology, but then, military terminology has a long association with the game of football, so it's time we entered this one into the sport's lexicon. Because, you know, it's appropriate in this case. Generally, football observers are very centered on the quarterback. Of course, it's more complicated than this - there are miles and miles of recorded discussions about all facets of the game - but because the QB is the most complex of all positions, and having a great or lousy player taking the snaps can make or break a team (just compare last year's Auburn to the one playing this year), most of the discussion is about the quarterback. But lemme tell ya, LSU this year is decidedly not all about the quarterback.

I mean, Jarrett Lee is good, no doubt about that, and he has greatly improved since we first saw him throwing the ball to the other team again and again a couple of years ago, but he's not the guy making the Tigers destroy great opponents on the road this year. No, this is a team effort, and that's something of an understatement. LSU has so many fucking great players, that their quarterback doesn't have to be brilliant--he just has to be pretty good. We have great receivers. We're running the ball extraordinarily well not only because we have great backs, but we also have a brutal offensive line. We have fantastic special teams. And everybody's been raving about the defense all season long. Most of this squad will get to play on Sunday when it's time.

The Tigers this year have accomplished full spectrum dominance. If you've got a great passing game, fine, you'll get some yards, but you won't win. Run it well? That's cool too, but your offensive line will be so tired by the fourth quarter that most of your plays will end in the backfield. We'll fuck you up on punts and kickoffs. We'll run the ball up your gut, and once you've adjusted, we'll throw down field and pick up forty yards.

I don't think anyone right now can stop 'em. And they just keep getting better Saturday after Saturday. Oh, and guess what? They're ranked number one now. This is already shaping up to be a marvelous season.

Geaux Tigers!


Tyrann Mathieu #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers attempts to run by
Lavar Edwards #89 of the West Virginia Mountaineers after recovering a fumble
in the first half during the game on September 24, 2011 at Mountaineer Field in
Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

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