GO Tigers.

[Jess from VA]

 

[carolinarider09]

 

[Farside]

  Good game, Go Tigers Win! 

[Pappy!]

Go SEC !!!

[Rams]

While I know it's already settled on who won, I'm still curious as to which Tiger you were pulling for?
Wait, upon re-reading your title, I now see Tigers, so both teams?  

Rams

[Jess from VA]

Ron, I really didn't have a dog in this hunt, but I was pulling for Joe Burrow and Ed Orgeron.

I'm not sure Joe Burrow isn't a finely tuned robot; 31-49, 463 Yds, 5 TD throwing,  14 carries for 58 Yds, and another TD running.  Playing at home in Na'lins.  Beating Clemson with a 29 game win streak.

Over the last three games of the season, against Georgia in the SEC championship game, and Oklahoma and Clemson in the playoffs, Burrow passed for 1,305 yards and 16 touchdowns, and LSU won those games by a combined score of 142-63.

Both QBs got rushed, blitzed, and hit hard but Burrow never faltered, and Lawrence was off his game and threw many errant passes.

I think Clemson was robbed of a 2d half touchdown, but LSU gave it back by not scoring in the last minute.

[Farside]

    Go SEC!! My Tigers won!! 

[Rams]

Ron, I really didn't have a dog in this hunt, but I was pulling for Joe Burrow and Ed Orgeron.

I think Clemson was robbed of a 2d half touchdown, but LSU gave it back by not scoring in the last minute.

While I did believe LSU was the better team, it would not have hurt my feelings had Clemson won.
I do think the officiating was pretty good but, have a problem with the Targeting rule.   Not suggesting that head to head collisions should be acceptable but, ejecting the linebacker because the  crown of his helmet made contact with the receiver is kind of screwy in my opinion.  Especially since no flag was thrown on the field.  That particular player's ejection made a big difference in the rest of the game.   Watched the game twice, once live and then again during a replay on ESPN.   

The fumble by the Clemson QB was a direct result of helmet contact by the tackler.   Why wasn't that Targeting.   

Rams

[Jess from VA]

Ron, regardless of the other intricacies of the targeting rule (head or neck, crown of helmet, defenseless player), they are not going to let guys LAUNCH and go in headfirst to tackle anymore (spearing).  It will always be looked at closer (and may not be called) when there is no launch and helmets still collide.

This was driven by numbers of concussions (in the NFL too), and like it or not it's here to stay.  (lots more protection for QBs too.)

As one who played football, I know that as nasty as some of the hits look, they are also the physically easiest hits to make for the defensemen; going full speed against high speed offense.  I mean, it really takes much more artful (and less effective) effort (to tackle a gifted runner), to go full speed and then have to pull up and move your body to ensure you only hit him with your body and shoulder, a move which might make you miss the tackle.  Good tackling has always been a headfirst operation, and the rule changes that.  

There's still plenty of hard hitting allowed, but not launching headfirst into a tackle (unless you get your head out of the way before the hit).

And so far, spearing the ball tucked into a runner's midsection with your helmet is not targeting.  Unless maybe you launch first.          




 

[Rams]

While I understand your points, the rule is pretty specific about the crown contacting the opposing player.   
Doesn’t really matter now, the game is in the books.   

Rams

[Jess from VA]

The Clemson (James Skalski, their leading defenseman) targeting call was in accord with the rules, and an easy call.

And as far it's effect on the game, remember.....

In Clemson's Fiesta Bowl win over Ohio State, a targeting call seemed to swing the momentum. With Ohio State leading Clemson 16-0, Buckeye linebacker Shaun Wade was called for targeting on Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.  After that ejection, the Tigers outscored the Buckeyes, 29-7, en route to a 29-23 win.

[J.Mencalice]

"I'm not sure Joe Burrow isn't a finely tuned robot; 31-49, 463 Yds, 5 TD throwing,  14 carries for 58
Yds, and another TD running.  Playing at home in Na'lins.  Beating Clemson with a 29 game win streak."

Three little words:  Urine drug screen.    Are all the participants tested after the games?

[Jess from VA]

The NCAA tests for steroids, peptide hormones and masking agents year-round, and also tests for stimulants and recreational drugs during championships.  Member schools also may test for these substances as part of their athletics department drug-deterrence programs.

[Alpha Dog]

Ron, I really didn't have a dog in this hunt, but I was pulling for Joe Burrow and Ed Orgeron.

I'm not sure Joe Burrow isn't a finely tuned robot; 31-49, 463 Yds, 5 TD throwing,  14 carries for 58 Yds, and another TD running.  Playing at home in Na'lins.  Beating Clemson with a 29 game win streak.

Over the last three games of the season, against Georgia in the SEC championship game, and Oklahoma and Clemson in the playoffs, Burrow passed for 1,305 yards and 16 touchdowns, and LSU won those games by a combined score of 142-63.

Both QBs got rushed, blitzed, and hit hard but Burrow never faltered, and Lawrence was off his game and threw many errant passes.

I agree pretty much Jess.  I do not think I have seen a better quarterback performance over the last 3 games they played, ever in college football, and I have been a big college fan since my youth. And he did this all year.   Joe Burrow is so dang accurate and sure helps when he has a receiving corps of this caliber. Seems to have his head together really well and humble.  I like what he said, if the defensive back is not looking back at me, I am letting it go.  Will see what he does in the pros with highly skilled defensive
 backs, but I think he will do great.  Probably get to find out come next September as he will most likely play down the road from me in Cincinnati.

As a side note, I loved the great ovation the crowd had for The President and First Lady. Way to go Louisiana.

[doubletee]

I think Clemson was robbed of a 2d half touchdown...

Karma's a bitch.

[Bighead]

I agree Alpha dog it was refreshing to see support for our POTUS.