Miles still taking heat despite 7-1 record as Alabama game nears

Halloween just passed, Thanksgiving is 24 days away and it's almost time to think about making a list for Santa Claus and checking it twice.

And for those still on a sugar high, it's also the beginning of November, which means LSU's game against Alabama — one of LSU's most hated rivals in the Southeastern Conference — ­is looming.

Not that anyone would forget LSU's matchup with the Crimson Tide is only five days away.

It's barely the beginning of game week, yet the buzz on LSU's campus has already begun to ring with hopes the Tigers can curtail Alabama for the first time in three years.

"I'm from Washington, D.C., and I came all the way down to LSU for LSU football, so this is the game of the season," said Matthew Warakomski, mechanical engineering freshman.

Warakomski is one of many University students who has had LSU-Alabama circled on their calendars since the season began.

Student tickets are already in high demand for the game, with prospective buyers looking at a hefty price tag in the hundreds of dollars range to secure a ticket. A seat on the 50-yard line could set a person back $1,959 on Stubhub.com.

"It's a huge game, especially at home and our need to make a statement at 7-1," said Noah Baker, civil engineering senior. "A lot of people aren't convinced we're any good."

The Tigers' only blemish is a 24-17 setback two weeks ago at the hands of Auburn — or more specifically, junior quarterback Cameron Newton.

But despite the record and a No. 10 ranking, LSU coach Les Miles has still received a heavy dose of national criticism because of questionable play calling and poor game management issues.

It also doesn't help Miles is once again pitted against former LSU and current Alabama coach Nick Saban, who has had Miles' number since leaving the Miami Dolphins to join the Crimson Tide.

Saban is 2-1 against LSU as the Alabama coach, and LSU needed a late rally to beat Alabama in Saban's first game against the Tigers.

"It's huge for Miles because I don't think there's any doubt the fans have become impatient with him. ...  A win would go a long way to restoring the confidence the fan base has in him as well as the administration," said local ESPN radio host Matt Moscona.

Rene Nadeau, college football analyst for ESPN and TigerVision, echoed Moscona's thoughts that a win against Alabama would do wonders for

answer-seeking fans.

"They want to see if Les Miles, in their minds, can do what Saban has done and bring down the kingpin of the SEC," Nadeau said. "There's never really been a total divorce from Saban since he left LSU. For some reason people just think he's connected in some way, and I guess when LSU can beat Saban that will sever the umbilical cord, if you will."

Tom Holsteen, history freshman, said Miles' image to date has been somewhat unfair.

"We're trying to find a scapegoat because you don't usually see, at least before [Auburn], an undefeated coach who is hated so much," Holsteen said.

Not only has Miles drawn the attention from national media outlets, but during several of LSU's last-second wins this season, message boards and blogs didn't care LSU was undefeated at the time and were calling for Miles to be fired.

The Alabama game has already earned the label of the "biggest game of the season," a "huge game" and a "statement game," and no matter what, fans probably won't be satisfied.

"LSU has irrational fans. I love them to death, and sometimes I'm one of them too, but obviously anytime your coach is on the hot seat at 7-0, 7-1,

something isn't right. But that's the culture here," Baker said.

Though many fans beg to differ, the hot seat issue for Miles is of little or no substance as of now, according to both Moscona and Nadeau.

"Absolutely, [Alabama] is not a do-or-die game for him," Moscona said. "Of course you want to beat your rivals, but if you go 10-2 and make a New Year's Day bowl game and you've won a national title, one game is not going to make or break your career."

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Contact Sean Isabella at

sisabella@lsureveille.com