LSU having stellar season despite disappointed fans

    As the third quarter wound down, Tiger Stadium seemed to be half full.
    LSU was still in a battle with Mississippi State, the fifth consecutive Top 25 team the Tigers had faced during a very tough stretch of the 2012 season.
    As I looked at all the empty seats, I could only arrive at one conclusion: the LSU football fan is spoiled.
    The Tigers appear to be headed toward a third consecutive double-digit victory season. Head coach Les Miles is winning more than 80 percent of his games.
    And, as we left Tiger Stadium 40 minutes after the game, the roads were surprisingly clear.
    For many of the paying customers, it is truly national championship or bust. And, although the Tigers are out of title contention, the 2012 season must still be considered a success.
    In August, Heisman trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the team for multiple failed drug tests.
    The week of the Washington game, starting left tackle Chris Faulk injured his right knee at practice and was lost for the season. Starting right tackle Alex Hurst left the team for personal reasons. Hurst had started the first four games.
    With Faulk and Hurst out, the LSU offensive line had to regroup. The Tigers turned to redshirt freshman Trai Turner at right guard and freshman Vadal Alexander at right tackle. Then the Tigers lost starting linebacker Tahj Boyd to academics.
    Running back Alfred Blue was lost for what could be the season with a knee injury. Blue was averaging a team-high 6.8 yards per carry.
    All of the above (and some shaky decisions by Les Miles in the loss to Alabama) have conspired to turn a potentially great LSU season into just a really good one.
    If you don’t like Miles, my question is this: Whom would you hire to replace him?
    In eight years, Miles has delivered consistent excellence. He’s won at least 11 games in five of his first seven seasons. Miles is 5-2 in bowl games and has won more than two-thirds of his road games in the best conference in the country.
    Miles has won a BCS championship and two SEC titles.
    Since Miles arrived at LSU, he’s coached against 12 different head coaches at the five other SEC West schools (not counting Texas A&M, who just came into the league). And, Arkansas and Auburn are expected to change head coaches after the season.
    Miles will head to the 2013 season with a ton of pluses. Faulk and Blue will return. Cornerback Jalen Mills, a true freshman, has starred after being forced into the lineup to replace Mathieu. LSU’s stable of backs and its best receivers are slated to return.
    Even if draft-eligibles like safety Eric Reid and defensive ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery depart, the future is bright on a defense led by tackle Anthony Johnson and linebacker Kwon Alexander.
    And, quarterback Zach Mettenberger is closing the 2012 season with rapid improvement.
    If Mad Money’s Jim Cramer were looking at the 2013 Tigers as a stock, he would say, “Buy!”
    Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected]