Yeah, if that's what we can do in a game where we're the better team having a mostly indifferent game, well, it does hint at what we might be capable of if/when we DO put a complete effort together, beginning-to-end.
Meanwhile, there have been, and continue to be a number of interesting games today, some with especially "interesting" outcomes. The Auburn/LSU contest has been one of those, where Auburn has put together their best defensive performance; if they had ANYTHING but a decent running game on offense they might have found a way to pull this one out, but it seems like those other "Tigers" are "geaux-ing" home winners if/whey they can manage one more first down late...
Now, the FSU/Clemson game has been wild, and Clemson HAD taken a 2 TD lead early in the 2nd half--but the 'Noles have finally popped a long one over 60 yds all the way down to the Clemson 10...and now they score--about to be 28-21 (Clemson still with the lead) with plenty of tine to go).
It's weird: logic tells me that I should root for FSU in this one, that I should want them as highly-ranked as possible when we play them at the end of the year, just in case we ARE in contention for a high ranking of our own by then--but I just cannot bring myself to cheer for them (similarly, I could never bring myself to cheer for the Braves in baseball, even though they were the closest team to Northern Fla. back when I lived there, all because they use that equivalent of the "Tomahawk Cheer" I loathe so much). Clemson manages a long FG to bring their lead back to 10 pts., with a qrtr and a third or so to go. Lots of time the way this Seminole team can move the ball--they appear balanced in this regard, with both a strong defense AND explosive offense--AND special teams too: On the ensuing KO, the return-guy takes it back all the way to the Clemson 11-yd-line. Like I say, "wild game". Touchdown on the 2nd play from scrimmage: 31-28, Clemson still ahead but FSU coming on strong now, driving down the field with just over a qrtr left to go.
Btw, even though LSU did end up beating Auburn, today the latter DID show that with their talent on defense and at RB, if they play up to THEIR strengths they ARE capable of tying up ANYONE and giving them a game--remember that, Gators. We already KNEW how tough facing LSU would be, but this Auburn team will be a hurdle as well, a team you need to knock down EARLY--something we haven't done YET this season. Overall, in the SEC AND against these Seminoles, we just need to play OUR game, execute our game plan each week and dictate play as much as possible on both sides of the ball--like championship-caliber teams tend to do...but along with NOT putting together complete efforts, start-to-finish, this is something we're apparently not up to yet--and we better get there if we want to eventually BE one of those teams.
Now the 'Noles have scored to take the lead, 35-31, all in a rush while I wrote the last paragraph--OK, this Seminole team IS more like one of its teams from the 90s, with talent and coaching that enables them apparently to "flip the switch" and take over a game at its crucial point...we will need to get a LOT tighter, more efficient AND explosive on offense, eliminating confusion, errors, missed tackles and broken tackles on defense if we are to eventually be ready to match up with them THIS season. From midway in the 3rd qrtr with the game on the line they have just responded to the pressure, "dialed it all up a notch" and basically taken OVER this game. Like the best teams in the SEC, on their best days rising to the challenge against real competition, to beat THIS FSU team you must meet them with your motor already well-warmed up as a team--and even then you will have to weather an onslaught or two in the course of play--and have at least one of your OWN ready to hit THEM with late, if you want to BEAT 'em.
