Can LSU handle success? We’ll find out tomorrow after they take the field against a talented and desperate Arkansas team. The Tigers will be fighting to maintain their focus and intensity after pulling an upset against Alabama a week ago. Arkansas is coming off an embarrassing loss against Liberty and need one more win to become bowl eligible. Records aside, this is not an automatic win, as evidenced by the 3.5 point spread in favor of LSU. This is traditionally a tough game for LSU due to where it falls on the schedule and the fact that Arkansas treats it as a true rivalry. An Arkansas win is akin to beating your big brother; it’s exciting, validating, and gratifying for the program. An LSU win doesn’t mean as much to the LSU fan base, because in most cases it’s seen as a game they’re supposed to win. Now that we know why this rivalry results in so many close games, let’s take a look at how they match up.

LSU Offense vs. Arkansas Defense

Judging by the statistics, Arkansas’s run defense is comparable to LSU’s defense. Only three decimal points separate the two teams in yard per carry average. However, we’ve reached a point in the season where I take more from what I’ve seen than I take from stats. I saw an Arkansas defense that gave up yards in chunks against Texas A&M, Auburn, and Alabama. Jayden Daniels has run the ball well against almost every opponent, but the emergence of Josh Williams and John Emery has made stopping the LSU running game a daunting task. The only thing that could slow the Tigers’ rushing offense down is if they game plan to attack Arkansas through the air. Arkansas ranks 131st in passing defense. In case you’re wondering, there are only 131 teams in FBS football. Mike Denbrock will run enough to keep the defense honest, but this is a game in which the LSU passing game will shine. Arkansas has a solid cornerback in LSU transfer Dwight McGlothern, but he won’t be enough to keep the Tiger wideouts from making plays. Big advantage to LSU.

LSU Defense vs. Arkansas Offense

The biggest question for the Arkansas Offense is the status of their quarterback, KJ Jefferson. Jefferson is 6’3″, 242 lbs., and is essentially a less explosive Anthony Richardson. LSU gave up some big plays to Richardson in the Swamp, but Jefferson is not healthy. He threw two interceptions and fumbled once against Liberty. Even if he’s healthy enough to play, he won’t be 100%. Expect Arkansas to lean on their running game to protect Jefferson and pass when the opportunities present themselves. Sophomore running back Raheim Sanders could play for any team in the conference. He has a coveted combination of size and speed that has helped him to an impressive 6.4 yard per carry average. Fortunately for LSU, this defense has held both Ole Miss and Alabama’s running game in check. Ole Miss leads the conference in rushing yards and managed to gain only 117 yards against LSU. Alabama, the program formerly known as a dynasty, gained 137 against the Tigers. Matt House will have the Tiger defense prepared to stop the run and force Arkansas to throw the ball, which will open Jefferson up to taking more hits. LSU has the advantage.

With the exception of 2019, I have not known what to expect from LSU against Arkansas in several years. When LSU has had a significant, achievable goal on the table they have played hard. If not, it’s usually a toss-up. The good news is the Tigers’ goals are still very much attainable. The better news is LSU has a more competent coaching staff than in previous years. Brian Kelly has let the team know early and often that they are responsible for ensuring they employ the right mentality approaching this game. When asked about a letdown, he responded, “If they’re asking me to keep the fire lit, we’re in trouble…It’s their job to motivate themselves.” This might sound like a cop-out, but it’s teaching the team what’s most important in building a sustainable program – accountability. This is not the regime of yesterday. This team has gotten better every week, and I don’t expect that to change. LSU 34 – Arkansas 21. Geaux Tigers!!

The coach who “can’t win the big game” beat Alabama in his first top ten matchup at LSU. The quarterback who “held the offense back” routinely came up with clutch plays when his team needed them the most. The freshman tight end who “wasn’t ready to be the focal point of the offense” (he never was; Daniels was simply taking what the defense was giving him) made a contested touchdown catch that led to overtime then a two-point conversion to win the game. This was a game of redemption, validation, and arrival. The LSU Tigers are leading the SEC West with a 7-2 record and complete control of their destination to play in the SEC championship. The most gratifying aspect of this win is the nature in which the game was won; this was no fluke. As usual, Alabama did not go away easily, but the Fighting Tigers always responded. I could write a book on the performance of Jayden Daniels, but I’d rather give credit to some unsung heroes that helped LSU pull off the upset.

Linebackers

It’s tough to single out one unit of the defense when all three levels played so well, but this was a unique challenge for the linebackers due to the playmaking ability of Bryce Young. Micah Baskerville and Greg Penn did their part in stopping the run and making Alabama one dimensional. Jahmyr Gibbs is arguably the most electric running back in the conference, but LSU held Alabama to 137 yards rushing, 66 yards less under their average. The linebackers were equally as impressive in their pass defense. Whether they had zone or spy responsibilities, they avoided overcommitting. That patience led to Bryce Young throwing an interception on their first drive as Baskerville played his role beautifully. Howard Perkins has more twitch, or explosiveness, than any linebacker I’ve seen in purple and gold. He could not be blocked, and his open field tackling was elite when in space with Young.

Running Backs

I’ve been adamant about John Emery getting more touches, but Josh Williams continues to quietly and consistently affect games. Williams averaged 7.7 yards per carry, breaking tackles and converting critical third downs along the way. Emery has been progressively more impressive from game to game since his reinstatement and demonstrated what makes him different than the other backs. His size, physicality, and elusiveness are traits that will get him drafted regardless of his lack of game tape. Noah Cain catches kickoffs, and that is a skill I will never take for granted again after this year.

Secondary

More often than not, fans only notice defensive backs when they get beat for a big play. Jarrick Bernard-Converse has been solid at cornerback and even safety at times but has not been mentioned when people speak of defensive standouts. Bernard-Converse came up with a momentum shifting interception early in the game and helped spark a secondary that won their matchups more times than not. Alabama’s leading receiver was a running back, and that tells me all I need to know about the performance of the secondary. Major Burns was beaten on a tough route for a safety to cover but showed impressive speed to save the touchdown. Sage Ryan’s forced fumble is the type of play that can give him confidence establish himself as a starter. Mekhi Garner’s physical nature is a joy to watch, but he also has the coverage skills to go with it. To put it in Garner’s words, what we saw from the secondary last night was DBU type “stuff”.

The impact of Tiger Stadium cannot be understated. It felt as though I could feel the electricity of the stadium through the television. The environment was a reminder of what Tiger Stadium is at its best – unmatched. Brian Kelly has quickly restored faith in the direction of the program. He has done so in less than a full year at the helm, and that creates excitement about what he can do in the future. The scary part for the rest of the league is the future is now. LSU still has to play Texas A&M, who would fire their coach if it didn’t cost 87 million to do so, and Arkansas, who lost to Liberty yesterday. If LSU holds serve and meets Georgia in the SEC Championship, anything could happen. The only path to the playoffs would be to beat Georgia, but the fact that it’s even up for discussion is a testament to the job Brian Kelly has done. When questioned about failed fourth down conversions about Tennessee, Kelly responded that he was not coaching to keep the game close; he was coaching to win. That strategy obviously paid off last night. Kelly had to hear all the jokes and criticism for dancing with recruits before the season even started, but now it looks like he could be dancing all the way to Atlanta. Geaux Tigers!!

During the agonizing summer months without football, it’s common for fans to count potential wins and losses on the upcoming schedule to pass time. Before the season started, I would think most reasonable Tiger fans would promptly project the Alabama game as a loss. While it’s hard to believe we’re already eight games into the season, the Alabama game is here, and make no mistake about it – this is a winnable game. The main reason this game is viewed differently at this point is the growth of this LSU team. The Tigers have slowly figured out their best personnel combinations at each level of the defense. Jayden Daniels has gone from refusing to make a read on passing plays to being ranked 29th in the country in total offense, which is one spot above Alabama’s Heisman candidate, Bryce Young. Speaking of Alabama, they have not been the juggernaut many expected to see in 2022. The team that some expected to be Nick Saban’s best team ever only managed to defeat Texas by one point, Texas A&M by four points, and lost to Tennessee. This is a talented team, but they do have weaknesses. As usual, I’ll take a closer look at the matchup on both sides of the ball.

LSU Offense vs. Alabama Defense

Some things never change, and the terroristic nature of Alabama’s edge rushers is one of those things. Outside linebacker Will Anderson will likely be a top five pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and he will obviously pose problems. The good news for LSU is their offensive line that was once seen as a liability is now a formidable group. This line has gotten better every week as the two freshman tackles have gotten more comfortable and confident. The best way to neutralize great edge players like Anderson is to run the ball directly at them. Many of Anderson’s best plays result from him running down backs from the backside when the play goes away from him. Hendon Hooker of Tennessee ran the ball well against Alabama, and that bodes well for Jayden Daniels. With the addition of Eli Ricks, this will be the best cornerback tandem LSU has faced to this point, but still vulnerable to big plays. I like the Tigers’ receiving room against anybody. LSU gets the nod.

LSU Defense vs. Alabama Offense

The good news is Alabama does not have the swarm of first round wide receivers that we’re used to seeing in crimson. The bad news is LSU does not have the shutdown cornerbacks we’re used to seeing in purple and gold. This will be a battle of inexperienced receivers with high upside against more seasoned defensive backs without the high end potential of their counterparts. It’s encouraging to hear that Brian Kelly and the defensive staff are now confident in a defensive gameplan that includes Harold Perkins and BJ Ojulari on the field at the same time; these are the most disruptive players on this LSU defense. It’s important to not only pressure Bryce Young, but also get him down. There are countless examples of Young calmly avoiding pressure and finding open receivers. Don’t lose sight of the fact that Young so routinely has to avoid pressure; this offensive line does not meet the Alabama standard. The Tigers have to stop Jahmyr Gibbs and the Alabama running game before they can pressure Young. Gibbs is a slippery, explosive weapon as both a runner and receiver. Matt House has done an excellent job of making adjustments all year. Consequently, LSU has been able to eventually figure out every offense but Tennessee. I actually like how the Tigers matchup from a personnel perspective, but contrary to Mel Kiper’s draft board, Bryce Young is the best quarterback in college football. Alabama has the edge here.

LSU/Bama at its peak is one of the most physical, exciting rivalries in the sport. It usually features an exorbitant amount of talent on the field with heavy SEC West implications. This will be the first time since 2007 that I feel like LSU has a coach that can effectively game plan against a coaching staff as strong as Alabama’s. When Brian Kelly called it a privilege to play in a game like this, he meant it; that’s why he came to LSU. Kelly does not currently have the roster where he wants it, and Alabama has the better team on paper. However, the game has to be played on the field. Regardless of the result, I have no doubt that the LSU program is headed in the right direction. I have Alabama pulling off a close game, 28 – 24. Big plays combined with a well lubricated Tiger Stadium crowd can prove my prediction wrong. Either way, the Tigers’ effort on Saturday will show that this series is a rivalry again. Geaux Tigers!!

Last week, Jayden Daniels exploded for three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns against Florida after receiving heavy criticism from fans and media. This was surely an aberration, right? Well, Daniels accounted for five more touchdowns yesterday, so it would seem this is more of the norm. The Tigers pulled away from seventh ranked Ole Miss 45 – 21, in the first signature win of the Brian Kelly era. LSU was impressive offensively, but they were just as impressive defensively after a rocky start. I gave three keys to an LSU win in the game preview, and the Tigers excelled in all three areas.

Stop the Run

LSU held the Rebels to 116 yards rushing. This is the same Ole Miss team that rushed for 448 yards a week earlier against Auburn. Lane Kiffin knew LSU would approach the game focused on stopping the run, so he leaned on his passing game early. That game plan proved to be successful, as the Tigers were off balance defensively and had no answers on the first two drives. The LSU defense made it a point to hit quarterback Jaxson Dart as often as possible, especially on run plays. Ole Miss has built in options on most plays in which Dart can choose to hand the ball off, run, or pass. The accumulation of hits on Dart eventually affected him to the point where he essentially had two options, because he no longer had any interest in running. LSU was then able to focus more on the Rebels’ star running back, Quinshon Judkins, and the Ole Miss running game was shut down after the first half. Once again, Micah Baskerville was all over the field, finishing with nine tackles on the day. Week after week, Matt House continues to show why Brian Kelly targeted him for the defensive coordinator position.

Explosive Plays

LSU’s defensive game plan gave Jaxson Dart multiple opportunities to pass into single coverage during the game, and he was able to take advantage early with a 37 yard pass to Jonathan Mingo. Fortunately, the Tigers’ blitz packages were more effective as the game went on, and Dart was not able to have as much success. The numbers tell a story of the LSU defense settling in, as Dart threw for 204 yards in the first half and only 80 yards in the second half. As usual, Howard Perkins was an integral factor in the success of the defense. Perkins did what Perkins does once he was inserted into the lineup, and Dart was uncomfortable in the pocket the rest of the day. Quinshon Judkins’ longest run of the day was 18 yards, so that’s a win when defending a back as explosive as he is.

In-game Adjustments

LSU’s defensive adjustments were as much about personnel as they were about scheme. Sage Ryan got more time at the nickel after Jay Ward got too aggressive early in the game. Perkins played more on the line as a pass rusher than an off-the-ball linebacker, and he was disruptive. As the defense played with better leverage on the outside, House called more inside blitzes, and Dart did not respond well. Offensively, Mike Denbrock eventually saw that Ole Miss simply does not have the personnel to stop the run. LSU leaned on the ground game heavily in the second half. The running game was even more effective with Daniels than it was with running backs, as the running back on the field at the time provided an extra blocker. Jayden Daniels could have had another 300+ yard passing game against this defense, but there was no reason to complicate things.

This was an impressive showing by the Tigers, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The defense bounced back after a shaky effort against Florida. Daniels continues to grow not only with his recognition, but also with his accuracy. Short crossing routes that used to be thrown hard and behind receivers are now thrown with touch and in front of receivers. Daniels is now throwing outs and comeback routes before receivers get out of their breaks. LSU now gets to go into the bye week, self-scout, and get guys like John Emery healthy before Bama comes to town. Brian Kelly likes his team, and I can only imagine the possibilities for the program once he has more recruiting classes under his belt. As for now, the 2022 Tigers have a lot to play for, and the ceiling gets higher with every win. Geaux Tigers!!

Fellow college football fanatics, we have a storied rivalry set for 2:30 on CBS. One team is trying to prove it deserves its ranking, and another team is out to prove last week wasn’t a fluke. It’s hard not to be fired up for one of the most anticipated games of another loaded college football weekend. The LSU Tigers will host their second top 10 team in three weeks with seventh ranked Ole Miss coming to Baton Rouge Saturday. Some Tiger fans fear a repeat of the Tennessee debacle. Other fans think the offensive renaissance of last week is a sign of things to come. As usual, the answer is likely somewhere in the middle of two extremes. LSU will need to have success in three keys to the game to pull off the win.

Stop the Run

One could honestly say this for every game, because it’s true. However, it’s even more important in this case, as Ole Miss is third in country in rushing offense with 271 yards per game. Ole Miss runs the ball so effectively by using different types of running plays to keep defenses off balance. They run inside and outside zone plays, counters, and traps. Lane Kiffin makes it even tougher to defend with the fast pace and similar formations that avoid showing tendencies of the offense. TCU transfer running back Zach Evans and Quinshon Judkins combine to form one of the most explosive tandems in the country. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is also an effective runner, so Ole Miss can run play action without even faking a handoff.

Explosive Plays

Ole Miss runs a 3-2-6 defense, so they’re slightly undersized. They try to compensate by being aggressive and unpredictable with their blitz packages. LSU will have opportunities for chunk plays running the ball when Ole Miss isn’t gap sound. The Tigers’ offensive line has continued to improve and should be able to create running lanes to effectively run the ball, even without the chunk plays. Every game is different, but Kentucky routinely knocked Ole Miss off the ball earlier in the year. The LSU passing game will also have opportunities to make big plays down the field due to the aggressive nature of the Ole Miss defense. Jayden Daniels now knows he can trust LSU’s wide receivers in 1-on-1 situations if the blitz doesn’t get home.

In-game Adjustments

Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin is elite at taking advantage of his teams’ strengths. Unfortunately for LSU, he might be even better at exposing his opponents’ weaknesses. There is no doubt that Kiffin has seen ways to exploit the LSU defense, and the Rebels will make momentum shifting plays. LSU Defensive Coordinator Matt House will have to adjust on the fly, but he has shown the ability to do so this year.

The talking heads on television and radio are currently wondering if LSU’s offensive outburst against Florida was an anomaly. Jayden Daniels’ performance was not one of luck; confidence is a game changer. Daniels was already physically able to make every play he made last week. The slight push-off from Jaray Jenkins and acrobatic catches by Brian Thomas are skills, not luck. The effectiveness of the passing game will continue to positively affect the running game, and LSU is now a different team. I have the Tigers winning a close one, especially if Tiger Stadium is rocking like it was the last time Ole Miss entered with a top 10 team. LSU 31 – Ole Miss 28. Geaux Tigers!!!

Thanks to an outstanding performance by Jayden Daniels, The LSU Fighting Tigers improved to 5-2 with a 45-35 win over Florida in their most complete game of the season. As impressive as it was to win by multiple scores in the Swamp, the way LSU won makes the win even more encouraging. Daniels has faced criticism in both wins and losses, and fans and media members alike have been waiting to see LSU play to the strengths of their personnel. Daniels displayed confidence in his offensive line and receivers by being patient in the pocket and keeping his eyes down field when his first reads weren’t open. As with any game, the Tigers had good, bad, and ugly results. As an eternal optimist (even though I picked LSU to lose), I’ll start with the good.

The Good

Daniels completed over 70% of his passes for 349 yards and ran for 44 yards. He is the first quarterback in LSU history to throw for three touchdowns and run for three touchdowns in the same game. He was more comfortable in the pocket due to the play of the offensive line. Freshman Will Campbell returned from an illness to garner SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. The offensive line as a whole played well, as evidenced by the Tigers’ 179 yards rushing with only one sack allowed. Kayshon Boutte had his best game of the season with six catches for 115 yards. Brian Thomas is an absolute dawg. He’s shown the ability to run in the open field, but Saturday he showed an ability to high point the ball that will make NFL scouts salivate. Micah Baskerville was all over the field at linebacker, and Saivion Jones continues to be disruptive in passing situations. Mekhi Garner continues to prove his worth at cornerback, rarely getting targeted. The defense slowed down an athletic backfield, but the big plays allowed lead me to…

The Bad

LSU gave up a 51 yard touchdown pass on Florida’s first drive of the game, continuing their weekly routine of slow starts. LSU would go on to give up a 39 yard rushing touchdown, but the worst play of the night was an 81 yard touchdown run by Anthony Richardson. Multiple LSU defenders avoided hitting the quarterback under the guise of trying to strip the ball. Taking on a 6’4″, 235 lb. quarterback at full speed is easier said than done but sidestepping him in the open field is not LSU football. To make things worse, the quick score sent the programming back to commercials, so I had to hear “Won’t Back Down” for the thousandth time after it was beat into my head for three quarters.

The Ugly

The early touchdown pass for Florida was set up by a 47 yard return of the opening kickoff. The Tigers seized momentum after tying up the game at 14, then Jack Bech fumbled a punt return to give the ball back to the Gators. LSU finds new ways to underachieve on special teams every week, and at this point I expect the worst in any play that involves a kicker or punter. There is no way to explain how the special teams could get this bad, but that phase will cost LSU another game if it’s not resolved to some extent.

Winning at Auburn and at Florida in the same year is impressive, regardless of the current state of those programs. This was a critical win for the morale of the fans, the foundation of the Brian Kelly era, and the confidence of Jayden Daniels. That confidence makes LSU a dangerous team that will present perimeter matchup problems to any opponent. Those perimeter matchups lead to running backs like Josh Williams rushing for over 100 yards. This is a team on the rise with a remaining schedule that includes talented, but flawed teams. Nobody seems unbeatable, and it starts with Ole Miss at home. Get your tailgates ready. GEAUX TIGERS!!

The LSU/Florida rivalry is one forged in the fire of two elite, heavyweight programs battling for SEC supremacy in the mid 2000’s, often with national championship implications. Today, both programs are trying to get back to elite status with first year coaches. Florida’s coach, Billy Napier, was regarded as a good fit for LSU by just about everybody…except LSU. Due to the timing and nature of the coaching hires, Napier and Brian Kelly will be compared to each other until one or both are no longer at their current programs. However, the coaching matchup has no bearing on the magnitude of this game; this is a critical game when it comes to maintaining the belief of the players that this team is headed in the right direction. This is absolutely a game that LSU can win, but it starts with execution.

LSU Offense vs. Florida Defense

Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock has been criticized for the lack of production from the offense, and rightfully so at times. The truth is Denbrock can only call the play; he can’t execute it. Veteran linemen are expected to block basic twists from defensive ends and tackles. Veteran quarterbacks should be able to read coverages well enough to know where the ball should go. The good news is Denbrock gets starting tackle Will Campbell back from injury this week. The bad news is some of the issues that plague the offense will continue to hold it back to an extent. Jayden Daniels is a fourth-year player, so I don’t expect him to revolutionize his style of play mid-season. It’s only fair that I give credit where it’s due – Daniels is a talented player that improved last week, so it’s obviously possible for him to keep improving. He’ll have a great opportunity against a subpar Florida defense tomorrow. Frankly, LSU could have Tom Brady at quarterback, but it doesn’t matter if they can’t run the ball. The sudden injuries on the offensive line hurt the Tigers last week, but Denbrock will have to find other ways to establish the running game if the line isn’t effective in their usual zone blocking scheme. Not many LSU fans will want to hear this, but the Gators are shockingly bad at containing scrambling quarterbacks. Like it or not, it’s smart for Daniels to continue to use his legs as long as it’s not at the expense of passing up open receivers. Home field advantage can help defenses play better than their talent would suggest, so the Gators get the edge in this matchup.

LSU Defense vs. Florida Offense

Florida’s Anthony Richardson is a physical freak at quarterback. Richardson is also the same guy that threw for 66 yards against Missouri. In four games against Power 5 competition, Richardson has thrown for over 170 yards once. The Tigers will face a drastically different offense than they faced last week. The most disappointing aspect of the Tennessee game was the ease with which they ran the ball, and much of that came down to tackling. LSU will have to tackle well against Richardson and the explosive Florida backs. Billy Napier snagged freshman running back Trevor Etienne out of Jennings, LA in his first recruiting class at Florida, and he has paid immediate dividends. Florida does not have the talent on the outside that they typically have, so they’ll lean on running the ball. They also like to throw short passes and screens to get yardage after the catch. Richardson’s boom or bust potential makes this a tough call, but LSU has the edge on paper.

LSU has beaten Florida the past two years as heavy underdogs. If there is anything I’ve learned about this rivalry, it’s to expect the unexpected. LSU is not as bad as the score indicated against Tennessee, but they’re still finding their way. Brian Kelly warned the fan base a few weeks ago that there would be more highs and lows to come. Unfortunately, I see this as another “low” for LSU, falling 23-21. LSU has the more talented team, but the home team has the more talented offensive line. I believe in Brian Kelly in the long run, and the outcome of the game won’t decide which school hired the better coach. There are simply growing pains in transitional years. Hopefully, I’m wrong because it’s still Geaux Tigers!!

The Tennessee Volunteers humbled LSU Saturday in a 40 -13 blowout. Going into the game, the Vols appeared to be the biggest challenge the Tigers would face to this point, and they lived up to the hype that came with their top 10 ranking. It’s obvious that UT had the better team, but how did LSU lose by 27 in a home game as a 2.5 point underdog? Friday, I brought up three aspects of the game in which LSU would need to succeed to win. Let’s take a look at how the Tigers fared in those areas.

Stop the Run

Nobody would’ve expected LSU to gain more passing yardage than Tennessee in this game, but they did. Jayden Daniels passed for 300 yards compared to Hendon Hooker’s 239. The bigger problem was Tennessee out rushing the Tigers 263 – 55. The Vols surprisingly manhandled the Tigers up front, leading to a 5.4 yard per carry average. The positive yardage gained on first down, whether runs or wide receiver screens, kept the LSU defense on its heels and the Vol playbook open for multiple options on second and third downs.

Pressure the Quarterback

The Tigers did not record a sack on the day, and that’s a recipe for an “L” against Tennessee. Part of the pass rush issues stemmed from UT’s running game neutralizing the rush, but even in third and long situations LSU could not get to Hooker. Tennessee’s offensive line held up on the edges consistently, but even when they didn’t Hooker was able to step up in the pocket and run to gain yardage. Be it his arm or his legs, Hooker always had an answer for the looks he was presented.

Man to Man Coverage

This was easily the worst game the LSU secondary has played all year. The Tigers gave up easy completions, pass interference penalties, and did not tackle receivers nor running backs well. Tennessee was missing their most talented receiver, but I couldn’t tell by the plays Jalin Hyatt and Bru McCoy made routinely.

Now that those are out of the way, I’ll get into other factors that led to UT taking over Tiger Stadium. The special teams gaffes immediately put LSU’s defense in tough spots early in the game. It’s bad enough that the Tigers don’t threaten other teams on punt and kick returns, but they don’t make the routine plays like catching kicks cleanly when receiving or maintaining lane integrity when punting.

LSU was actually better than Tennessee on third down conversions, but a woeful 0-3 on fourth down conversions. Brian Kelly felt like LSU would have to be extra aggressive to keep up with the Volunteer offense, but those decisions kept LSU from getting points on the board. It could have been a completely different game if LSU was down 20-10 at halftime instead of 23-7. Also, by trying to keep up with Tennessee’s offense, LSU helped them by giving them good field position.

I mentioned that this game would provide Kelly a chance to prove that LSU is ahead of schedule considering all the changes within the program. At 4-2 with most projections at 7-5 or 8-4, LSU is not ahead, but about where most thought they would be. As ugly as it was, it’s only one loss. The key is to learn from the loss and adjust accordingly. Arkansas has come down to earth recently. Alabama is not the machine it usually is this year, especially on the road. Texas A&M has no offensive identity. LSU still has a chance to establish the foundation with this team that will ultimately decide the fate of this program. While it’s understandable to be disappointed, keep in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Win or lose, it’s still Geaux Tigers!!

The temperatures are cooler, the pumpkin spice lattes are widespread, and LSU hosts a top ten Tennessee team in Tiger Stadium; we are now in the heart of football season. This is one of those weekends that fans circle before the season begins, and this game has turned out to be even more anticipated than one would think in August. In the midst of the excitement of the top 25 matchup, LSU has to prepare themselves for the best offense they’ve seen to this point. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is a rare player that can throw accurately, run effectively, and avoid turnovers. Even without their most talented receiver, Cedric Tillman, this is an explosive team that will not let off the gas. However, there are ways to slow down the Volunteers.

Stop the Run

Tennessee’s passing attack is easily more intimidating than their running game, but the most important effect of stopping the run is making UT one dimensional. The offense is hard enough to stop with the pace and rhythm with which they play, so LSU Defensive Coordinator Matt House will need to get them in obvious passing situations by limiting yardage on first down. Third and long situations lead me to my next point.

Pressure the Quarterback

LSU must not only pressure Hooker, but they’ll need to get pressure with four men. Teams can’t sit in a zone consistently and hope Hooker makes a mistake; he’s proven that mistakes are unlikely. Fortunately, LSU is built for the job. BJ Ojulari has been unblockable in his money year. Savion Jones has emerged as an effective rusher, and Harold Perkins has been able to rush from different positions and angles. The rush will have to be disciplined, as Hooker is an athletic quarterback, but it’s imperative that the Tigers collapse the pocket.

Man to Man Coverage

I probably worried about the LSU corners as much as any of the position groups during the summer, but they have risen to the challenge this year. Mekhi Garner currently has the highest grade of any SEC cornerback this year. I almost never hear Jarrick Bernard-Converse’s name called during games, which is a good thing. The Tigers will be tested early and often down the field. Zone will be mixed in, but the secondary has to continue to meet the challenge in one-on-one situations. Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt is the prototype slot receiver, and Bru McCoy is a 220 lb., fast, physical problem offensively. The secondary will also have to consistently make open field tackles, as UT tends to move Jabari Small from the backfield to the slot to get him in space.

Just as LSU will have to tackle in space, they’ll need to force the Vols to make open field tackles. Tennessee does not cover well, but they also don’t tackle well in the open field. A missed tackle against Boutte or Brian Thomas can cost a defense six points. Fortunately for LSU, the game tape tells more than the statistics, which heavily favor Tennessee. Vegas has obviously noticed, as the line is down to -2.5 for the visiting Vols. Tennessee Head Coach Josh Huepel has done an impressive job of turning his program around in a short period of time. The Vols are ahead of schedule compared to the national expectations for them when the hire was made. This is Brian Kelly’s opportunity to to show that LSU is ahead of schedule. Early kickoff or not, there is no better place than Tiger Stadium for a top 25 matchup. Home field, defense, and Jayden Daniels’ growing confidence will lead LSU to a 38-31 win. Shout out Robert Royal. Geaux Tigers!!!

LSU escaped Jordan-Hare Stadium with a 21-17 win over Auburn, and I’ll take a win at Auburn any way it comes. LSU’s passing game left a lot to be desired, but the consistent resilience of the team and performance by the running backs were encouraging. In the three games against Power 5 opponents of Florida State, Mississippi State, and Auburn, LSU’s backs have combined for 25, 114, and 126 yards, respectively. Josh Williams set the pace for the rushing attack, and John Emery flashed the balance and explosiveness that makes him different. The defense settled in after allowing two big plays early in the game and did not allow another point after a 17-0 Auburn lead. The Tigers are now ranked 25th and will host 8th ranked Tennessee Saturday. Leading up to the game, fans and pundits alike want to know if LSU can score enough to beat the high-octane Volunteers.

Brian Kelly recently stated that Jayden Daniels needs to be more aggressive, and it’s not only ok, but necessary for Daniels to take more shots down the field. If I’ve learned anything from Kelly this year, it’s that I can expect to see his point of emphasis play out on the field when he makes gameplan specific statements during the week. Daniels has passed for six touchdowns with no interceptions this year. While it’s impressive to make it this far with no picks, it also means he’s not giving his talented receiver group enough chances to make plays. Auburn’s defense confused Daniels, and the hostile environment intimidated him. He’s a very experienced player, but Jordan-Hare is different than playing at Cal or Washington State. He’ll have to be more aggressive, but the coaching staff will have to be more creative with how they approach the passing game. Although I don’t advise a shootout with Tennessee, this offense has to use more tempo. Daniels has shown that he’s much more comfortable with the offense moving at a faster pace. In obvious passing situations, the offense could also use more 10 personnel, or four wide sets. Against Auburn, the defensive coverage often dictated that Daniels throw to tight end Mason Taylor; that’s not possible if there are four receivers on routes. Taylor is a talented player, but he’s still a true freshman playing in high pressure situations. If there is a game to fix a struggling passing attack, it’s this one. Tennessee’s defense gave up 269 passing yards to BALL STATE. The secondary gives me nightmarish flashbacks of Bradley Dale Peveto, Doug Mallory, and Bo Pelini (the 2020 version) roaming the sidelines. There will be plays to be made on this defense; LSU must capitalize on them.

Jayden Daniels called a players only meeting with the wide receivers on Monday to address the issues in the passing game, and I applaud his decision as a leader. Although no players have shown their displeasure publicly, one would think that they’re frustrated. The receivers and tight ends can help themselves by eliminating the drops. As a pass catcher, you press to make a play when opportunities are limited, and that factored into the drops against Auburn. I have no doubt that the passing game will be better Saturday, but will it be enough to keep up with Tennessee? Time will tell. Until then, I’ll take a deeper look at the challenges for the LSU defense in my upcoming game preview. Geaux Tigers!!