LSU Basketball Coach Johnny Jones has hit the ground running since he was named LSU's coach in April.  His first order of business was to beat the bushes and find some capable players for next year's basketball team.  

Jones held onto the commitment of star shooting guard Malik Morgan and then added two more guards in Shane Hammink and Corban Collins.  He also added junior college swing man Shavon Coleman and junior college forward Calvin Godfrey.  Unfortunately, Godfrey didn't make it academically so he won't be on the team.   But with such little time to work with, Jones did a great job of bringing in several players that can contribute at the SEC level.  And even though LSU's team might not be ready to win big in 2012/13, these new players will get plenty of experience, which will serve the program well in the very near future.  

Saturday, LSU put together one of the least inspiring efforts I have seen in Tiger Stadium in a very long time.  I'm not one to overreact on this site, whether good or bad, but I can honestly say that LSU's performance against Towson was total horse shit.  I'm not sure I have ever been angrier and more disappointed after a victory than I was on Saturday.  And that says a lot considering what happened a couple of years ago against Tennessee.  

Look...I get it.  The opponent was Towson.  The players knew all they had to do was show up, and they would win.  They probably treated the entire week like a bye week, and that's not really a bad thing to be honest.   It also rained all day, and there was no atmosphere whatsoever.  So when the game started, it was not that surprising that a maximum effort was not given.  And when that's the case, you'll see missed tackles, penalties, fumbles, holes not open when they should, missed blocking assignments and communication problems.   And that crap is frustrating as a fan because you want to see your team look sharp and build some momentum as they head towards the toughest stretch of the season.  I'm quite sure the coaches share that frustration.  

LSU went into Auburn and earned a victory, and that's only the second time since 1998 that we've been able to say that.  However, the general feeling among Tiger fans right now is one of "Uh-oh!" and that's certainly understandable considering the circumstances.   I'm certainly concerned, but after watching the game a second time, I'm less concerned than I was on Saturday night and less concerned than most others seem to be.  

LSU started this game out perfectly.  The defense forced a quick three and out and the offense took the ball straight down the field on a nice looking drive.  Even Mettenberger's fumble on the goal line did not prove costly.  The defense converted it into a safety, and the offense got the ball right back.  They finished the job the second time, scoring a touchdown and giving LSU a 9-0 advantage.   Mettenberger started the game 5 for 5.  LSU had a few nice runs, using different backs.  And the defense was suffocating.  After another Auburn punt, LSU got the ball again and was looking to add to their lead.  At that point, another LSU score would have likely taken the air completely out of that place.  Instead, Mettenberger fumbled the ball while being sacked.  In three short plays, Auburn was in the end zone, the stadium became electric, and LSU fans everywhere buckled down and let out a collective "Oh shit!  Here we go".   

Freak stuffs a 4th and 1 attempt

LSU's game against Idaho resembled their first game against North Texas.  The Tigers came firing out of the gates and jumped to a 14-0 lead.  Then, the team seemed to take the foot off the gas a bit and lost some focus.  Idaho responded with an interception near their goal line and turned it into a touchdown.  They also had a nice touchdown drive.   But, LSU woke up, stepped on the gas again and rolled to a 63-14 victory.  

Will Priest Willis come from AZ to be a part of "DB U"?

LSU has been stuck on 22 commitments for a while now, and it seems pretty clear that they're targeting only a select few for those final few spots.  If LSU closes the way they'd like to, and the way I think they will, then this class will finish up as one of the tops in the nation, without question.  When you factor in the way this class meets the needs of the program, specifically at quarterback, defensive line and in the secondary, then you have to consider it a home run for LSU's staff.  But first thing's first....LSU needs to close strong.   And here are the top five most likely targets left on the board:

Kevin Minter

Well now, that feels better doesn't it?   A week ago, we saw a ho-hum performance  against North Texas where LSU's team looked like it was merely going through the motions for the majority of the game.  We were left with a lot of questions and even a few concerns.   The season ending injury to Chris Faulk during the week only added to those concerns.   But as expected, LSU ramped up the intensity against Washington and in doing so, they answered a lot of those questions and eased some concerns.  It wasn't perfect by any means, but it was an absolutely dominating performance.  And it was noteworthy.  The defense was suffocating, and the offense balanced a devastating run game with some very effective passing.  

As always, here are some thoughts:

• One concern after North Texas was LSU's ability to protect the quarterback.  They did much, much better this week.  In fact, it was very good.   Mettenberger was not sacked or hurried once, and the only time I remember him getting hit at all resulted in a roughing the passer penalty.   I thought Mettenberger had a much better day, too.  If not for some drops by his receivers, he may have had just one or two incompletions in the entire game.  He was very sharp.  

LSU rolled to a relatively easy and mostly uninspiring 41-14 win over North Texas on Saturday night.  Watching the game in Tiger Stadium, I was aggravated for most of the game.   I felt that the team played sloppy and lacked emotion.   However, a look at the stat sheet shows a pretty dominating performance, especially on the ground.    Here are some observations:

• Even though this game dragged on and the team lost interest at times, the first quarter, when the team was 100% into things, was pretty impressive.  LSU led 21-0 just a few seconds into the second quarter and had already rushed for 133 yards on just 10 carries.  Defensively, LSU held North Texas without a first down. 

The main course of college football's week one finally arrived after a long, lousy off-season that saw one of the most historic programs become shaken down to its foundation and one of the most prolific, exciting, and flamboyant players on one of the most prominent teams in the country was booted off the team. If you are like I am, college football just couldn't get here soon enough.

Week one's slate of games were, for the most part, warm-ups, or scrimmages that mean something, for most of the major conference programs. Beat-em-down, cupcake, rent-a-win, whatever you want to call them, that's basically what it was for week one. But, hey, at least college football is finally here.

Despite the lack of quality opponents that most teams faced, there are some impressions that can be taken from week one. Some teams surpassed expectations, others met them, and still others disappointed in their 2012-2013 debuts.

Week 1 Winners:

Alabama – The Tide rolled over the Big Ten's alleged “best” team in JerryWorld. Nick Saban had his team ready to play (like he almost always does) and they looked like the defending national champions they are in their complete dismantling of Michigan.

I was fortunate to sit down with Allen Kenney of the Crystal Ball Run to talk a little LSU Football earlier this week.  The Crystal Ball Run is Bloguin's primary College Football blog, and it has really taken off recently.  It's a VERY well done site and jam packed with content and quality writing every single day.  Allen and the rest of the guys do a great job.  

We actually recorded this podcast on Sunday night but I haven't been able to post it due to Isaac knocking out power and causing a big mess of things.  But as much of the state begins to pick itself up and get ready for the Tigers' season opener, this podcast could be a great way to prepare and get you back into college football mode.   Of course, all thoughts and prayers go out to those that have had their lives drastically altered by this storm.  

I've come a long way with podcasts.  They never used to be my thing, but now I've got one in my ear nearly every time I go running or work out in the yard.  And the Crystal Ball Run has one of the best around.  

Here is the link to the show over at CBR.  You can listen on the site or download from iTunes.  Hope you enjoy.   

My Bloguin friends over at College Football Zealots asked me to give some thoughts on LSU's upcoming season for their series of season previews they're putting together.  They've got LSU as their pre-season #3 team in the nation.  We talk about the Honey Badger's absence, Zach Mettenberger, and just about everything else before I give some predictions.

Check it out right here.