Gag Order Needed for LSU Football Coach

How many times do SEC football coaches need to run their mouth about how tough their conference schedule is? Trying to get these guys to shut-up about this issue is like trying to keep Pacman Jones out of the police blotter.

Last year it was Urban Meyer politicking pollsters for his Florida Gators by theorizing that a one loss SEC team deserves more consideration than an undefeated team from another conference. Now LSU's Les Miles has started the talk again a good month and a half before the 2007 college football season even begins.

Speaking at an LSU function in New Orleans in mid-July, Miles stated: "I would like nothing better than to play USC for the title. I can tell you this: They have a much easier road to travel. They're going to play real knockdown drag-outs with UCLA and Washington, Cal-Berkeley, Stanford - some real juggernauts there."

"They're going to end up, it would be my guess, in some position that if they win a big game or two, they'll end up in the title game. They've got it good out there. I would like that path for us. I think the SEC provides much stiffer competition.''

Why did Miles bring this up? Well, most experts are predicting a LSU - USC title game. If LSU does not live up to the high expectations Miles wants everyone to know that it is not because of him or his football team, but because they play in the SEC. Miles wants all the glory if they win, but the blame on his conference schedule if they should fall.

However, I am a bit confused by his argument. Miles must have a very short memory when it comes to the SEC providing "stiff competition." Especially SEC teams versus the USC Trojans the past five years.

In 2006, USC blasted Arkansas, the eventual SEC West Champion, by a score of 50-14 in Fayetteville. The 50 points was the most scored on Arkansas at home since 1919. In 2005, USC put up a 70-17 win over Arkansas at the Rose Bowl. The 70 points was the most-ever put on the Razorbacks along with the 736 total yards by the Trojans.

In 2003, USC handed Auburn its worst season-opening loss with a 23-0 win at Auburn, and in 2002 the Trojans beat the Tigers 24-17 in Los Angeles.