A rebuilding year at LSU ended in disappointing fashion, with a defensive collapse in the Music City Bowl, followed by John Chavis bolting for Texas A&M. What were the moments that defined the 8-5 season? SDS runs through the year in chronological order to find the answer.

  1. Brandon Harris’ near-comeback against Mississippi State: LSU’s home loss to the Bulldogs was the first red flag that the Tigers wouldn’t be able to compete at the top of the SEC. After Anthony Jennings struggled for three-plus quarters in LSU’s SEC opener, Harris came in and sparked a dramatic run back into the game with two quick scores against a soft defense, getting LSU within 34-29 before a last-second Hail Mary was intercepted. The performance set the stage for griping about Jennings all year, with Harris’ potential riding the bench.Memorable quote: “It’s not necessarily just the players. I’m putting first of all the responsibility on me.” — Les Miles
  2. The Auburn blowout: After once again lighting it up against New Mexico State, Harris got his only start of the year against Auburn and predictably struggled on the road. Jennings replace him in the second half and fared no better, but he locked up the job for the rest of the season in the loss.Memorable quote: “We tackled, we played hard, but offensively we did not execute. We are a work in progress.” — Miles
  3. Ronald Martin’s last-second interception against Ole Miss: The Rebels came into Death Valley ranked No. 3 in the nation, but LSU crushed their dreams with a punishing defensive effort and a sterling running attack in an emotional game that came less than 24 hours after Miles’ mother passed away. Leonard Fournette, Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard battered the Landsharks defense and LSU hit and flustered Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace all night, finally paying off when he heaved up a desperation deep ball that Martin picked off to seal the 10-7 win in front of a fantastic crowd that stormed the field after the win.Memorable quote: “[LSU has] the best offensive line we’ve played and the running backs are very, very good. And, defensively, they’re coming into their own.” — Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze
  4. Alabama’s last-second drive to tie it: LSU tied the game at 10 after a physically dominant drive and took the lead on a field goal after recovering a fumble deep in Alabama territory, but a personal foul penalty pushed the Tigers back and changed the tide of the game. After that, Alabama’s offensive finally woke up with less than a minute to go and marched down the field to tie the game. Reuben Foster rocked Fournette on the ensuing kick return, which seemed to reverberate during LSU’s overtime performance and into the following week against Arkansas.Memorable quote: “The penalty changed the complexion of the game.” — Miles
  5. The shutout loss to Arkansas: LSU’s offense was as incapable as it was all season in a brutal showing against the Razorbacks that saw the Tigers total just 123 yards of offense. Despite become clear that Jennings couldn’t get the job done, Harris sat on the bench all game as the offense floundered. LSU came back and mixed up the offensive game plan a bit in its next game against Texas A&M, but the writing was clearly on the wall that the way things were in 2014 wouldn’t work going forward.Memorable quote: “At this point in time, a guy sitting in my seat is looking for answers.” — Miles