The Downward Spiral

Some of you see the title "The Downward Spiral" and you may think of Nine Inch Nails, but I see what is taking place with Florida and LSU football. You probably read that last part and think this guy is borderline insane. Before you commit me, please take a look at what I’m about to say.

First is Florida - the theory on the downfall of the Gators is totally cliché, “what goes up, must come down.” How can you not hear Urban Meyer saying his dream job is Notre Dame and believe he will never go there, given his track record? I don’t believe he is a nomad, but he builds a program to its Everest. He raised up Bowling Green, took Utah to an SEC-like level, and appears to be on his way to 3 out of the last 4 national titles at Florida(next year too). So he has taken that program to higher levels then the “ol' ball coach.” So where to now?; your dream job of Notre Dame. Most of that is my opinion, but the key fact is straight out of the Meyer’s mouth. So where does that leave Florida in a tight market of good coaches? Stoops doesn’t want to leave, and Carroll isn’t going anywhere. Well, hey, Charlie Weis is looking for work!

Don’t get me wrong. I understand what I just said about Florida is a tough sale on the downward spiral, but LSU has already started. I’m not even sure it hasn’t already been broken by the hands of Les Miles. By all means, I believe Nick Saban built a totally solid foundation. I don’t believe he took it to its pinnacle; I believe he was about three years away. If a Geaux were reading this, he would tell me that they are fine and Jordan Jefferson is taking them to Pasenda next year. Don’t get me wrong - the foundation hasn’t left yet, as LSU continues to take players out of their home state where the talent pool is amazing and put a large sum of that into the NFL after they make like Bart Simpson and underachieve to the max. So what has Les Miles done with four and five star talent? He has had at least two loses every year, including a huge five in 2008. "Well, hold up son, he won a national title." That national title is the biggest embarrassment to the BCS - this coming from an Auburn fan who suffered through 2004. Can you really claim a national title with losses to Kentucky and Arkansas? And the five losses this year are borderline pathetic; it took a perfect fourth quarter to beat Troy. Sure, Jordan Jefferson is a potential star but he didn’t play because Les Miles thought a kid from Harvard could hang in the SEC.

Two great programs ready for demises, at the hand of change. Change in the future and change in the past that is just now ready to show its effect. After working the same job I have for three years, the number one thing I see that leads to chaos is change. Change is coming at Florida and change has already happened at LSU and is soon to take place again. This leads to the best four teams in the SEC for the next ten years being Auburn, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Alabama.