Dr. Rob wears the Mad Hat.

Let's be honest for a moment, can any other conference boast that they are the best? the SEC can easily raise their hand when that question is asked. That's where National Championships, and National Powers are built. Even the middle teams such as Tennessee, South Carolina (who are quickly rising), and Florida (post-Tebow era) are better than half top 50 teams in College Football.

The SEC are 7-0 in the BCS National Championship games, LSU winning twice (2004 and 2007). Both times LSU went into the game ranked #2 in the nation. But lets take a deeper look into the man known as the Mad Hatter, Les Miles.

Miles started his head coaching career off taking over a struggling Oklahoma State team, prior to Miles becoming the head coach, the Cowboys had posted 3 seasons of below average records ( 5-6, 5-6, 3-8), in Mile's first season with OK-State, he had led them to a 4-7 record, nothing to cringe at, looking at the program he took over. However, the next 3 years would lead the team to a new found success of 3 back-to-back-to-back winning records (8-5, 9-4, 7-5), but more so remembered were the upsets over Ok-State's high ranked rival, Oklahoma.

During his first season, the very last game of the eventual 4-7 season, Miles was faced against the #4 ranked, Oklahoma Sooners. No one expected Miles and his Cowboys to beat them, they were the under-under dog if there was ever such a thin. However, OK-State won the game 16-13 upset. Miles would repeat again, beating Oklahoma in the final game of his second season, upsetting the #3 team in the nation 38-28, earning him Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year credentials.


In 2005, 2 years after Nick Saban had led LSU to a National Championship, then abruptly left for NFL dreams with the Miami Dolphins (I wonder how that worked #Sarcasm). LSU reached out, electing to bring in Les Miles. Not only did Miles have to deal with filling the shoes of the Great Saban, but 2005 as many remember is when Louisiana was hit by devestating Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, which pushed back their home opener, as well as their SEC opener, and also relocating a game against Arizona State. With that kind of pressure, any average man would crack under it. Not the Mad Hatter

In his first season, LSU finished 10-1 with wins over #15 Arizona State, #11 Florida, #16 Auburn, and #4 Alabama. Their only regular season loss, was an upset by #10 Tennessee, and then an eventual loss in the SEC Championship against #13 Georgia. Miles and the Tigers would go on to trounce the #9 Miami Hurricanes 40-3 in the 2005 Peach Bowl, finishing the 2005 Campaign 11-2, and earning them a final ranking of #5 in the AP Coaches Poll.

Mile's second season was met with equal success as his first, finishing the regular season 10-2 it marked the first time in LSU history, they turned in back-to-back 10 win seasons. Miles was able to do this despite having to take the show to the road against the 4 toughest opponents on his schedule (Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, and Arkansas), splitting 2-2 against those 4 teams. They wouldn't get a chance play for the SEC title, finishing 1 game behind Arkansas for the SEC West title. However, they would go on to decimate Notre Dame in the Sugar bowl, 41-14. Turning in their 2006 campaign at #3 in the AP Coaches Poll.

During the 2007 season, is when Miles started to garner the name "Mad Hatter" which is one of my all time favorite sports nicknames (behind the likes of "The Hefty Lefty", Catfish Hunter, and Lester the Molester). This came from Mile's risky, unconventional play calling that many coaches wouldn't ever dare to try. Miles was never trying to outsmart anyone on the field, he was trying to see if you had the balls to hang with him. A master of tricks.

2007 was thus far, the best season for LSU under the Les Miles regime. Despite losing to #14 Kentucky, and Arkansas (both in Triple OT), LSU gained the SEC West Conference Championship, and won the SEC title beating Tennessee 21-14. But many people remember from that game is Kirk Herbstreit reporting that Miles had accepted the job to be the head coach at Michigan. However, LSU and Miles were quick to borrow Herbstreit's coworker's catchphrase with a "NOT SO FAST."

Miles never left LSU in 2007, in fact he lead them to a National Championship. Solidifying himself as one of the great head coaches in college football, with multiple bowl wins, a national champions, and in 3 season at LSU in the SEC having a 34-6 record, with many wins over multiple championship coaches. Les Miles took his hat, with a smile.

Though from 2008-2010 LSU had been quiet, this usually comes from certain teams lapsing from recruits graduating or declaring for the draft, and the newest classes to rise up and become great players. In the 2008 and 2009 Seasons, Miles and his LSU Tigers boasted records of 8-5 and 9-4, still winning records, but never advancing to an SEC championship, finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively.

However, last season, Miles turned in a 11-2 record, finishing 2nd behind eventual national champion Auburn. Les Miles has brought some controversy with him, it seems every few years ESPN reports that he'll be leaving for Michigan. In 2010, Miles was cited by the NCAA for Oversigning. Which for people who aren't familiar with NCAA football terms means you have accepted too many letters of intent to play. Miles asked many of his younger players to "Greyshirt" which means to defer to gain the scholarship at a later date.

No one could argue that Les Miles may have the most testicular fortitude in the entire D1 college football scene. No one will argue that many of his 'Mad Hatter' play calls are unconventional. However, you cannot argue with results. So Les Miles is 6-3 in Bowl games (1-0 in BCS National Championship), has a 68-17 overall record at LSU, and 36-15 record in SEC play, all in 6 1/2 seasons at LSU (1/2 because its right now they're 6-0 into the 2011 season).

The fact is, LSU is the real deal. Opening the 2011 campaign against #3 Oregon, the runner up for the BCS championship, and one of the most potent offenses in D1 competition, lead by Heisman candidate LaMichael James. Les Miles didn't blink, and neither did the LSU defense, who only gave up 27 points to Oregon, who was noted as being one of the best offenses last year.

LSU went on the road to play against #25 Mississippi State, and #16 WVU coming out with W's in convincing wins. Thus far, their most impressive victory came against rival Florida in a 41-11 beat down in the REAL Death Valley.

However, the rest of the season will determine it all, meeting rival Tennessee this weekend, as well as #24 Auburn, and going to play @ #2 Alabama vs. Nick Saban in the 'Saban Bowl'. LSU will close the regular season of against #10 Arkansas. A tough road lies ahead for LSU, as no SEC conference team is to be taken lightly, especially in football something very important in 'The South'.

The Mad Hatter knows this, as does his LSU Defense, that is 8th in points against (12.5 per game). It is my humble opinion that LSU is going to run the board this year, and finish undefeated. In fact I will match Les Miles tradition of eating the grass of various opponents fields. If LSU does no win the BCS Title this season, I will feast on a plate of grass.

A plate of GRASS!

LSU Tigers, my 2011 BCS National Champion.

Also, after writing this Les Miles has become my new favorite person. His quotes are legendary, and he is just...The Man.

Also Boise State has no hopes of a National Championship, aka YOU CAN'T PLAY ONE RANKED OPPONENT IN A SEASON AND DESERVE TO BE IN A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.