LSU will host the New Mexico Lobos at 6:30 today for their last nonconference game until late November. The Tigers can’t prove anything by beating New Mexico, but they can get better if the reps are taken seriously. Although LSU is coming off an impressive win against Mississippi State, there are obvious flaws on this team. However, I’m encouraged by the coaching staff’s ability to correct mistakes in limited game action this year. For example, the field goal unit has blocked better, the defense has tackled better, and the emergence of Emory Jones has strengthened the offensive line. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State have shown the college football world that no win should be taken for granted, but today I’ll be watching LSU with a focus on improvement from last week. So, where do the Tigers need the most improvement?

Offensive Consistency

The LSU offense has shown the ability to quickly move the ball down the field with the constant threat of Jayden Daniels’ running ability and wide receivers making plays when given the opportunity. However, pre-snap penalties, missed passing reads, and the lack of running back production has made the offense stagnant at times. Luckily for LSU, the bulk of these issues boil down to the same root – the offensive line. The Tigers will enter this game with the same starters as the previous week for the first time this season, and the familiarity will help eliminate the penalties. The performance of the line last week has to be encouraging to Daniels and could be a factor in giving him more patience in the pocket to go through his progressions. There was more room to run for the running backs in the last game, and Armoni Goodwin made the most of it. John Emery was close at times, but I would not be surprised to see him break for a long one today. LSU also needs to use tempo more often. Call me crazy, but I’m a fan of concepts that produce the desired results. It doesn’t have to be every possession, but LSU is obviously better when they play faster. The fast pace also limits the defensive calls, which makes the reads even easier for Daniels.

Punt/Kick Coverage

Mississippi State’s Lideatrick Griffin averaged 32 yards per kick return against LSU, and Zavion Thomas averaged 24 yards per punt return. These are the kind of numbers that can cost you a game against better opponents. The Tigers will have to be more disciplined with their coverage, and I’m not against playing more starters on special teams if that’s what it takes to be better in that phase.

No team is perfect. The LSU defense got lucky after dropped passes negated blown coverages last week. Even 2019 LSU had its flaws. The key for the Tigers is to continue to improve. They should take UNM seriously, but more importantly, they should take their growth seriously. The ceiling for this team is largely dependent on the mentality of the team; this is a talented group that lacks the depth of the better LSU teams of the past. Enjoy one more stress free game before LSU walks through the valley of the shadow of death with six straight SEC games. Geaux Tigers!!