We’ve all had those relationships. One person is thinking one thing while the other person is thinking another thing, and at some point you’re faced with the question: what are we? What is LSU? LSU was ranked in the top 25, got manhandled by UCLA, then had a cupcake buffet. LSU has had two games to correct a litany of issues exposed after getting hit in the mouth by the Bruins. A common thread amongst the talking heads at the time was “We won’t find out anything else about this team until the Mississippi State game”, which is not completely true. While McNeese St. and Central Michigan didn’t answer questions about LSU’s physical limitations, there was still a lot to draw from those games. The defense has responded well to similar concepts and route combinations that confused them against UCLA. They played faster as they’ve gotten comfortable enough to trust each other to understand their individual responsibilities. I’m not sure why Micah Baskerville wasn’t starting at the beginning of the season (all he does is make plays), but Daronte Jones has figured out who his best linebackers are. We now know that freshman phenom Maason Smith can play defensive end, which is even more significant after the unfortunate loss of Andre Anthony to a torn ACL. Offensively, Jake Peetz simply sped the process up. Plays are coming in quicker, Max Johnson isn’t looking to the sideline, and he’s giving his receivers a chance to make a play. To say the least, the receivers are taking advantage of the chances they get. The average college football fan knows what Kayshon Boutte is capable of, but Jack Bech is now a proven mismatch at tight end. Freshman wideout Deion Smith is a freak show, and he had his coming out party against Central Michigan. Let’s face it: these coaches are coaching for their jobs, and Smith has to be in the starting lineup going forward. He displayed size, leaping ability, and the ability to run after the catch. Speaking of impressive freshmen, Corey Kiner has displayed skills I’m not sure any of the other backs have. Ty Price is a good running back, but he’s best when he has enough space to gain forward momentum and flash his physical nature. Kiner is a back that can make something out of nothing, and there’s an abundance of nothing when it comes to the Tigers’ run blocking. On that note, I’ll discuss my keys to the game.

Don’t abandon the run

At this point I know that LSU will not be a dominant force up front at any point this year, but I also know that the running game looked better when Peetz called runs outside the tackles. It also looked better with faster and/or shiftier backs. I’ve spoken on Corey Kiner, but fellow freshman Armoni Goodwin will return from injury this weekend. Goodwin showed an impressive burst in his limited action. It’s important to maintain some semblance of a running game simply to keep the defense honest. SEC defenses will have a field day rushing the passer if they know the quarterback is dropping back to throw 75% of the offensive plays. LSU doesn’t have to have 200 yards rushing, they just have to give the defense something else to think about.

Hit Will Rogers

Mike Leach does not care about keeping the defense honest; he’s unapologetically passing every game. MSU’s quarterback, Will Rogers, threw the ball sixty-seven times against Memphis. This LSU team has had issues, but rushing the passer isn’t one of them. Ali Gaye returns to the lineup this week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Gaye, NCAA sack leader BJ Ojulari, and Maason Smith will obviously need to sack Rogers when possible, but also rush him into bad decisions.

NO BLOWN COVERAGES

As encouraging as the LSU defense has looked lately, they’ve still been prone to busted coverages at times. It’s easy to dismiss when they win by 20, but Central Michigan isn’t on the schedule this week. One player not knowing the defensive call on one play Saturday can cost LSU the game. Jones will need to make his calls early in the play clock and run more zone than man coverages Saturday.

It seems like just yesterday Mike Leach left Tiger Stadium with a shocking, record breaking win. That day we learned that the LSU defense wasn’t the defense we were used to seeing. I never saw the defense, or team itself, look like what I expect to see from LSU from that point on. A lot has changed since then, but the jury is still out on this staff. A win over Mississippi State won’t quiet the doubters, but a loss will be like throwing gasoline on fire. If Coach O plays his best players and the defense communicates effectively, LSU should leave Starkville undefeated in the conference. GEAUX TIGERS!!!