Cotton Bowl: LSU vs. Texas A&M, Let the Relentless Les Miles to Michigan Speculation Begin
By Ty Duffy
The Cotton Bowl isn’t a BCS game, but it’s in a high-profile stadium and, thanks to Fox it’s receiving a cushy, prime-time spotlight on national television. Ambitions apparently stretch beyond being a New Years Day also-ran and an excuse to show grainy Notre Dame highlights.
The Michigan Man: Michigan is without a coach. Les Miles played at Michigan (with AD Dave Brandon), he coached at Michigan and his contract has a specific clause dictating what happens should he leave for Michigan. He’s 57. He won’t get another chance. If he wants to win another national title, he’ll stay at LSU. If he wants to be Michigan head coach (or is weary of the SEC), he’ll listen.
Will Michigan be interested? It depends how the search goes. If it goes well and candidates like Gary Patterson are interested, there’s no chance. If it goes poorly, Michigan could turn to Les. He’s proven. He’s malleable. He checks most of Michigan’s boxes. Miles would be no one’s first choice, but few besides anarchic bloggers would be rigging the noose if he moved North.
The Mad Hatter: However mind-boggling the method, it’s hard to discredit the results. Should Les Miles win today, this will be his fourth 11-win season in six years on the Bayou.
Reinstated: After a “one-time” academic violation, the NCAA reinstated LSU’s star running back Stevan Ridley, heightening hopes LSU will muster some form of offense.
For LSU to Win: Get stability at quarterback. They have talent at skill positions. They need someone consistent to get them the ball. Jordan Jefferson has the capability to be a good quarterback or an incredibly awful one. He’ll need to spread the field to open up a tough A&M run defense.
For Texas A&M to Win: The Aggies’ key will be quarterback play as well. Ryan Tannehill won the last six games of the season, taking over for Senior flop Jerod Johnson. He will be essential selling misdirection in the running game and distributing the ball to areas Patrick Peterson is not.
Prediction: LSU has a demonstrative edge in speed and athleticism, but their coaches never quite figured out how to impress that upon teams. I think the month to prepare helps the Aggies. Narrow, low-scoring Texas A&M win.
[Photo via Getty]