Natty Diary

Like all people who grew up with the internet and like sports I read Bill Simmons and part of this blog emulates him. So tonight I'm going to steal his bit again. A running diary of a huge sports event, I've done it before on Super Bowls, but it's been a few years. The rules are no editing and I'll time stamp every entry as the game unfolds. I will have to use the game clock as opposed to real time since I'll have to pause the game for kids bedtime. I'm sticking to the main broadcast, the megacast is fun but not tonight. So I'll put a header for each quarter and fill in from there, let's go................

Pregame: We're live in the basement, Chris Fowler just welcomed us to the Superdome after Lil Wayne rapped. Oh look it's Herbie, hi Herbie you're pretty great. Discussing if Clemson is a dynasty, if they win, yes, if they lose, still probably for me. LSU wearing white, thought they might go with purple, I like when they wear purple. Clemson wearing orange, was thinking they might try something purple, don't think Clemson uses purple enough. For the record I'm rooting for LSU but picking Clemson. Any guesses who "Bigfan" is? I only liked the grilling commercial for Fansville this year, the rest sucked. The President is here, he goes to a lot of football games but has yet to throw out a first pitch, that's all I'm gonna say about that. The anthem was good, but the players weren't on the field, that kind of sucks. If you're a college football coach, don't lead your team out of the tunnel, let them do it. Dabo lead his guys out, it isn't about the team it's about him. Pac-12 officials so this will be fun, who am I kidding all officials suck. Clemson has been "doubted" all season? Not a chance Maria Taylor. Who doesn't love Coach O, imagine if USC had kept him. My daughter just said LSU is wild, they might be a little hyped.

1st quarter
15:00 Tigers vs Tigers, now even Fowler has made the joke, we can stop, I'm guilty myself. Trevor Lawrence 25-0 as a starter. And Dabo runs a hook and ladder on the first play, whoa. It didn't work.
14:11 Clemson is using LSU's energy against them. Inside the 25 after 4 plays.
13:02 Big 3rd down, LSU brings the blitz and get a huge sack, great delayed blitz.
12:00 Clemson elects to punt from the plus side of the field, chickens.
11:47 The Heisman will take the field after this commercial. Did you know Joe Burrow wasn't recruited by Nebraska? Joe Burrow just made an amazing escape that got negated by lineman downfield.
11:14 Will Venables is a genius right now, we'll see if that changes.
11:00 Who had 2 punts to start the game, thought for sure this game would be crazy early.
10:25 Punting from plus territory works, Clemson gets it back at the 42.
9:47 Another punt, DBs getting away with a lot so far.
9:38 Average starting position for LSU is the 5.5 yard line
9:10 LSU finally gain yards, then hurry and miss on 3rd down, another punt. Terrible field position is biggest factor. LSU punter gets the roll and flips the field.
8:28 Clemson hits the TE on a seam route and the WR gets called for a blindside block after a huge block by Tee Higgins, I have no idea how a guy chasing the ball carrier is defenseless. Kenny Bell agrees with me.
7:28 Big gain by Clemson and weak hands to the face call, gives Clemson the ball at the 6. Direct snap to Ettiene to the 1.
6:34 TD Clemson, Lawrence keeps it and runs off the edge, XP good Clemson 7 LSU 0, interesting to see what LSU does with better field position. LSU offense has 6 yards total, whoof.
6:25 Herbie hammering home the point Clemson is going 3-1-7 on defense.
5:37 Clemson gets a sack bringing 4, LSU has to run the ball.
5:00 LSU looks broken, I haven't watched them much but Clemson has them very confused, and the receivers can't catch. Another LSU punt.
4:34 Clemson dials up the deep ball, CB trips the WR and the safety almost made the pick but PI.
4:06 3rd and 4 and you got Travis Ettiene who Dabo talks up constantly and you throw the ball, dumb, incomplete so another punt. Then delay of game.
3:30 A LSU 1st down, PROGRESS
2:47 LSU running the ball to get yards on first down, if they insist on 7 DBs gotta run
2:20 Burrow goes deep to Chase, just flat out beats the DB for a long TD Clemson 7 LSU 7 Been a long 1st quarter, Clemson about to have their 5th possession. LSU defense is fired up again, looks like 1st play of the game.
1:10 LSU defense looked confused and 1st down throw to the TE, who was suspended for a year apparently.
:10 Clemson runs Lawrence more than I thought they would. End of 1st Quarter Clemson 7 LSU 7

2nd Quarter
14:32 Tigers vs Tigers again, come on guys.
13:43 52 yard FG attempt is good, why not do that earlier if he has it? Clemson 10 LSU 7 At this point FG's are losses. Burrow takes off on 1st down and gets 30+ yards on 1st down, sneaky fast QBs.
12:21 Another punt, I think LSU has hit the over for punts tonight. What a beauty, they down it at the 4.
12:10 Lawrence throws a seed out of his own end zone, great play on 1st down.
11:31 Then Etienne breaks a big run, they really need to use him more.
10:38 Reverse by Clemson and Tee Higgins houses it, Clemson goes 96 yards in 4 fucking plays, damn, had a feeling Clemson could do this vs LSU Clemson 17 LSU 7. I still hate Dabo, he's a tool.
10:30 The beauty of Fowler and Herbie, LSU hits a little slant get a 1st down Fowler says how do you defend that pass, these guys stay in the moment so well.
10:05 Burrow goes deep again, Chase again, LSU will never be out of this game with these 2. 1st and goal after 2 plays.
9:21 timeout LSU on 3rd down, so I ask are the 4 best WRs in the country in this game? These guys are all awesome.
9:17 QB draw on 3rd down leads to Burrow scoring a TD, that drive took 5 plays, the 2nd quarter has been fun Clemson 17 LSU 14.
9:08 Talking about Etienne going to Clemson and LSU fans sending him death threats on twitter, don't be that fan guys. Big run by Etienne and a facemask penalty added on. Dude grabbed the back of the helmet.
8:13 #3 from LSU lays out #3 from Clemson on a missed pass, if that block earlier was a penalty then that's a penalty, dude wasn't able to protect himself, no call though.
7:45 another big 3rd down, very few conversions so far and Lawrence misfires. Punt coming.
6:50 Burrow looking a little more comfortable, but still with happy feet. Then he hits the RB who made a miraculous spin move, then Jefferson does a stop and go, LSU is flying right now.
5:54 The fake injuries have started, LSU was going so fast Clemson had to stop the clock, they reshow the RB spin move, he put his hand down but LSU went so quick the replay official couldn't buzz. Smart job by LSU that wins games when you go that fast.
5:19 Burrow hits Chase on the fade route, Chase faked a block off the line then ran right past the DB. Chase is the match up nightmare for Clemson. Clemson 17 LSU 21
5:01 Replay official is on it this time, gets the buzz down before Clemson can run a play, gotta be quick in this game. I can't tell if the toe hit the ground or not, but justice would be served if they didn't overturn it. Play is overturned, great play by LSU DB.
5:14 The replay made us go back in time, seriously though get Etienne the ball more, he makes plays. Lawrence gets crunched on a deep ball. LSU defense has been very physical.
4:37 Delayed RPO play, that was stupid, don't run that again.
3:49 LSU defense forces a punt, they are playing better as their offense figures this out.
3:38 LSU starting inside the 10 again, Clemson killing the field position game. But Edwards-Helair breaks a big run on first down. Followed by a sack.
2:29 3rd and 19 coming up, this play will determine who scores last before half. Time out Coach O, Venables had some crazy blitz dialed up. Burrow goes deep and the Clemson DB tackles the WR before the ball gets there, good play saved Clemson probably 20 yards.
1:42 LSU has 222 yards of offense in the 2nd quarter, told you this quarter has been fun.
:40 Jefferson just trucked a DB, holy shit that was cool. Love when offense players lay the hits down.
:21 3rd and 10 coming up, LSU needs more yards for a FG, they never settle though, LSU burns final TO that might cost them a FG. Designed QB draw works again and Burrow gets down to the 6, what a play call, no time outs and you let the QB run.
:10 TD to Randy Moss's kid Thaddeus, and Burrow got crunched when he threw the ball, has plenty of time to get healthy Clemson 17 LSU 28. LSU on a 21-0 run. Halftime

Halftime: 150 years ago the only time Rutgers was relevant at football. Not sure how you decide who the top 150 players are, but sure. Seems like they used mostly great pro's and Archie Griffin. I'll always remember a story that Jim Brown was a better Lacrosse player than football player. Thanks to halftime, I'm back live. My first half thoughts, think LSU got field positioned a little, Clemson sort of Ohio Stated it by not getting more points when LSU was struggling. Will be interested to see if Burrow really is hurt.

3rd Quarter
15:00 Burrow comes out throwing, he's fine.
14:06 Clemson brings the house on 3rd down and get the sack, LSU punting for first time in a while, then get nailed on a 15 yard catch interference. Dabo reminded his players that games are 60 minutes.
12:36 Lawrence hits Higgins who gets popped by the safety, Higgins is down, the Ohio State game seemed like Higgins or Ross were hurt every other play.
12:02 LSU pass rusher getting called for a facemask after he couldn't sack Lawrence because he was being held. LSU 6 penalties for 69 yards (nice).
10:49 Etienne hits paydirt, Clemson uses the penalties to move down the field, and Clemson going for 2, and they get it. Clemson 25 LSU 28 Some old guy is at home yelling you don't chase points this early, shut up Grandpa. The Clemson halftime adjustment? Blitz the hell out of em.
9:25 3rd down and Clemson almost gets a pick 6, Clemson defense is fired up in the 2nd half, Venables has made the adjustments.
9:12 ESPN comes back and does a montage of great Superdome moments, can we all agree all National Championships should be played at the Rose Bowl?
7:47 Another so close INT, this game will hinge on a turnover. So many close ones. Clemson punt. Odd quarters are boring, even quarters are fun.
7:39 Burrow hasn't been the same since getting popped, not sure if it's the adjustments by Clemson D or his ribs. He runs a QB draw on 1st down, he must be fine. Good no call on the PI.
6:22 Clemson brings the house on 3rd down again, so what do you do? WR screen, huge run after the catch by Chase.
5:39 Clemson LB being reviewed for targeting, dude lowered his helmet, should be a penalty. And it is, well that changes things. They need to fix that stupid penalty.
5:13 Burrow to Moss again, TD LSU, probably a review coming, looks like a TD to me. Review is great and all but damn does college review really slow the game down. We had 5 looks at that play before they officially reviewed it. Burrow breaks the record for TDs in a season with that one. Colt Brennan threw 58 TDs in 14 games, Burrow gets 59 (and counting) in 15 games. Clemson 25 LSU 35
5:06 Time for Trevor Lawrence to do some shit, and he's picked but looks like PI on the guy who picked it off. Tough call, dude was holding the jersey.
4:30 Nice delayed blitz by LSU forces a long 3rd down, the delayed blitz has worked a few time for them.
3:46 Incomplete and Clemson is punting, they might be done. They don't have their MLB anymore.
3:25 Burrow just made a brilliant scramble and dumps it off to Jefferson who busts it off, then Chase drops a TD that would've been a dagger.
3:06 Another draw if Burrow is hurt he isn't telling anyone.
2:23 Dabo just used a TO on defense in the 3rd quarter, man you need those late. Another screen on 3rd down, snuffed out though, same exact play, may want to find a wrinkle.
1:40 Missed FG by LSU, why do these good teams always have shitty kickers. Clemson runs the option, just give Etienne the ball in space, enough stupid wrinkles.
1:03 Lawrence looks broken, dude doesn't face adversity a lot, this is where a tough schedule comes in handy. Coming back vs North Carolina doesn't do you shit. Quick 3 and out, LSU gets the ball back after 43 seconds. Clemson's mascot looks like a crackhead with a jersey on. I assume they didn't let LSU's Tiger in the dome.
:20 Burrow hits Edwards-Helaire for decent gain, but of course penalty on LSU after the play, late hit, bad penalty. And the 3rd quarter ends. Clemson 25 LSU 35, did I miss "Big Fan" I was fast forwarding a lot, is he real.

4th Quarter
15:00 LSU has lots of jukes in them. Then Burrow to Moss for a fist down.
12:08 Holy shit Marshall just made the best catch of this game, that was so pretty, TD Tigers, Clemson 25 LSU 42 I really think it's over now, Lawrence has looked like shit for all but 1 drive of the 2nd half. He's high on every throw.
11:55 Lawrence might be losing some draft stock, anyone can be a front runner, but what you do when things aren't going well talk more about your skill, he is a tremendous front runner.
11:18 Seems like a ticky tack PI on LSU, for being a great team they sure do get a lot of penalties called on them.
11:09 Lawrence goes deep to Higgins and a TD, but OPI on Higgins as he uses the DB to slow himself down and catch the ball, they never call that. Wish OPI was called more.
10:27 Long 3rd down and Lawrence throws it into the ground. They seriously need to run the ball more.
10:10 left in the game and LSU is pinned deep, they don't turtle, LSU goes for the jugular.
8:43 LSU is sort of working the clock, with 3 straight run plays but they are gashing them, already out to the 35.
6:52 False start on LSU, they are milking this clock, I thought coming in Clemson would at least cover, but they have disappeared since the TD and 2 point conversion.
6:26 Offsetting penalties, the lineman downfield penalty on the RPO, they need to fix that stupid rule, lineman need to be held to 1 yard and be done.
6:21 So far no mention of Venables shirt tugger, that's usually a story during games.
6:00 Herbie just said Burrow takes all online classes and is at the facility just as much as the coaches, wow what a "student athlete" I usually like these guys but dude should have to attend a class. I totally missed "Big Fan" awe shucks, I'm so busted up.
4:37 Lawrence scrambles and gets popped 1st down, not sure 4 minutes down 17 is best time to get hit hard.
3:53 Lawrence scrambles again and fumbles, Delpit from LSU puts the shoulder right on the ball, textbook tackle.
3:45 Edwards-Helaire makes a genius play and goes down on a big run play while staying in bounds, excellent football IQ.
2:22 Dabo isn't going away easily, calling timeout.
1:30 Be happy if you got the O/U at 66 because they didn't hit the opening line of 69.5.
:00 2 kneel downs ends it, and LSU beats Clemson 42-25, fun game, congrats to Coach O, nobody can root against that guy. 

Postgame: Coach O doesn't talk about himself, he talks about the players, the coaching staff, and the state of Louisiana, be more like Coach O. Maria Taylor asks Joe Burrow about how he overcame the injury, he hesitated, but he didn't admit to the needle.

The game didn't go as I planned, thought for sure Clemson would play better, LSU was just that damn good, they had so many weapons. I will say neither team ran the ball much and both RBs were electric. That's it, for this one, I'll be back next week. Twitter @derekbredeson for all my great thoughts.