One day away. After months of boredom, waiting, baseball, and other types of torture, the LSU football season is ONE DAY AWAY! It’s always exciting to start the season with a big time opponent, but after seeing Florida/Miami’s embarrassing display of mediocrity I’m glad to open with a “warm up” game. That being said, don’t take Georgia Southern lightly. It’s a veteran team coming off a 10 win season with an offense you don’t see often. This could easily be a close game going into the second half. Ga. Southern has a history of holding their own against Power 5 schools. They won’t be intimidated, and they won’t beat themselves with turnovers. I’m confident LSU will eventually pull away with a win, but there are other things I’d like to see in addition to a 1-0 start.

Discipline

As I mentioned earlier, Georgia Southern runs an unorthodox offense. There are other triple option teams, but this is one of the few that run it from the shotgun and pistol formations. The key for LSU is to be disciplined in their defensive assignments. Every player has to focus on their personal responsibility, and trust that their teammates will do the same. It’s just as important for the defense to tackle well. Option teams lure safeties up to help against the run. When this happens it’s simply a foot race if the runner can get past the second level of the defense, so players must make the tackle when in position. The advantage of playing Ga. Southern in the first game is the team has had extra time to prepare, so I think the defense will be ready. LSU also must be disciplined on offense. The combination of an early game and a new offense will likely result in pre-snap penalties. I’d just like to see these penalties held to a minimum.

RUN THE OFFENSE

Yep, I wrote that in all caps so you would read it loudly in your head. Every year I hear talk of not showing too much of the offense against over matched teams to keep from exposing yourself to more talented teams. I don’t agree. Simply run the offense, and be who you are. If an RPO (run pass option) play is called then take what the defense gives. If Georgia Southern sells out against the run the whole game then pass the whole game. For this offense to be effective the team can’t afford to be conservative or predisposed to hiding plays or personnel. It’s obvious what the Tigers want to do this year; the coaches have talked about it the whole off season. It makes no sense to hide it now then try to flip a switch next week against Texas. Run the offense, get reps, and get better.

Running Back Rotation

Jr. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will finally get his chance to start, but nobody knows how the carries will fall in his relief. Fr. John Emery has the most big play potential, but I think Tyrion Davis-Price could have the edge as the first RB off the bench because of his willingness to run between the tackles. Coaches, OC’s, and schemes come and go, but LSU will always be a physical running team. Toefield, Addai, Broussard, Hester, Ware, Fournette, and Guice ALL seeked contact. I don’t expect the mentality of the offense to change, only the approach as a whole. You can’t count out Chris Curry as a contributor. He doesn’t receive much fanfare, but he’s only a redshirt freshman. He has time to make his mark.

Lastly, I’d like to see Tiger Stadium loud and boisterous for 4 quarters. The newly allowed alcohol sales will definitely help in that regard. Nobody fears playing here when there’s only 12 people in the stands after halftime. In addition to LSU, good luck to my nephew, starting MLB Chase Day, and the ULM Warhawks against Grambling! The thought of Grambling taking an “L” reminds me to wish good luck to the Southern Jaguars against McNeese St. Fellow football fans, our time is finally here. Feed the dog, give the baby some Benadryl, pop a cold one, and enjoy the games! The wait is over.