The LSU/Auburn rivalry has given us the “Earthquake Game”, the “Barnburner”, the “Cigar Game”, and for lack of a nickname, the “Les Miles got himself fired in the most Les Miles way possible game”. The purpose of this lengthy introduction is to emphasize the point that you never know what could happen in these games. LSU will start a six game stretch of conference games at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday against a seemingly overmatched Auburn team. The Auburn elites couldn’t come up with a valid reason to fire Head Coach Brian Harsin in the offseason, so he’s now a sitting duck with his fate hanging on the results of each game. The general consensus on this year’s Auburn team is they have no offensive identity, and the defense is not up to the standard established by years of physical Auburn teams. As LSU has improved from week to week this year, one might wonder how they could lose Saturday. I’ll take a deeper dive to see.

LSU Offense vs. Auburn Defense

Auburn is currently ninth in the SEC in total defense, giving up 347 yards per game. The statistics are even less impressive considering they’ve only played one team with a pulse in Penn State. The hosting Tigers don’t instill fear at any level of the defense, but the linebackers have been surprisingly ineffective considering the personnel. Owen Pappoe and Derick Hall are unquestionably talented players, but the group has not played well as a whole. Jayden Daniels has quietly gotten more patient with every game, and part of his growth is due to the improved play of the offensive line. LSU will lose starting left guard Garrett Dellinger this week, so Miles Frazier will shift to the left side as Anthony Bradford steps in at right guard. From what I’ve seen from Auburn so far, I do not expect them to have answers for LSU’s running game, even without Armoni Goodwin. There could be more explosive plays than usual for LSU in the passing game due to Auburn overcompensating to stop the run. LSU gets the nod, here.

LSU Defense vs. Auburn Offense

Auburn has elite talent at running back with Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter, but the quarterback position has been a problem. LSU transfer T.J. Finley was not playing well before his injury, and the results have not been much better with current starter Robby Ashford. The Auburn offense lacks direction and production right now. Tight end John Samuel Shenker had a telling quote on the “Locked On Auburn” podcast when asked about their recent win against Missouri, “There were mistakes made, giving us another chance. Gave them some chances…Not real sure how some things worked out, but it did.” This quote gives the impression that the team itself doesn’t even know how they won the game. LSU Defensive Coordinator Matt House has impressed me since the Florda State game. He’s made the most of the versatility of his players. Jay Ward has played safety and nickel. Harold Perkins has played as an inside linebacker and edge rusher. House will get Arkansas transfer safety Joe Foucha back this week, which couldn’t have come at a better time, now that Major Burns is unavailable with a neck injury. LSU should focus on stopping the run, as I’m not convinced that Auburn can do anything offensively if that’s the case. Big advantage to LSU in this matchup.

On paper, this should not be a close game. I’m hesitant to predict a blowout simply because it’s hard to beat Auburn at home. I have disturbingly vivid memories of LSU losing 48-11 in 2020 and 41-7 in 2014. Fortunately, this is a different era with an Auburn coach with one foot out the door. The current reality is these are two teams going in opposite directions. LSU wins 31-13, as Les Miles celebrates (wherever he is) with a plug of grass and claps robotically. Geaux Tigers!!

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!!

The LSU Tigers pulled off a gratifying 31-16 win against Mississippi State, and Brian Kelly got a win in his first SEC contest. Although the visiting Bulldogs weren’t ranked, this was a significant win in more ways than one. It’s always a good thing to win within the division, but this win validated the improvement of the team to an extent. The win also showed the coaching staff the capabilities of more players, especially on defense, when given the opportunity. It showed fans the competence of the new coaching staff with the gameplan, adjustments, and different looks they presented throughout the game. LSU entered the game as a home underdog, so how did they pull off the win?

DEFENSE

The standard answer to stopping a Mike Leach offense is to rush three, drop eight, and play coverage. Defensive coordinator Matt House had a bit more than that in his bag. House didn’t rush more than four often, but the unpredictable nature of his pass rush schemes is what gave the Bulldogs problems. Quarterback Will Rogers never knew where the rush was coming from, due to pre-snap movement and the unconventional ways LSU lined up at times. LSU held State to just 289 total yards. This was the same team that had 547 and 426 yards in their first two games. BJ Ojulari was a blur off the edge, and a lesser known Savion Jones was impressive in limited action. House switched Jay Ward from safety to nickel, and the move paid big dividends for the LSU defense. Ward was effective against the run and pass, and he proved to be a better open field tackler when ball carriers don’t have time to gain the momentum they typically have in one-on-one situations with a safety. I cannot talk defense without mentioning the emergence of the freshman five star, Harold Perkins. Perkins’ athleticism jumps off the screen. He was a constant threat, whether rushing off the edge or up the middle. This was a dominant defensive performance.

Offense

I get it; Jayden Daniels misses opportunities to pass to open receivers at times. Daniels also threw for 210 yards with no interceptions and ran for 93 yards. I’ll take that stat line any Saturday of the year. Daniels completed a clutch pass to Malik Nabers on fourth and 3 in the fourth quarter, when many quarterbacks would be tempted to lead the receiver more than he did. The worst thing he could do in that situation would be to overthrow Nabers, so Daniels thew away from the defender with touch to give him a chance to make a play on the ball. The patience in the pocket will come with more confidence in the offensive line, and the performance of the line against MSU will serve as a catalyst to his comfort level moving forward. True freshman Emory Jones moved into the starting lineup at right tackle, Charles Turner stepped up at center, and this was easily the offensive line’s best performance of the year. Jones displayed his elite athleticism with not only blocking, but open field tackling. Jones found himself one-on-one with lightning quick Zavion Thomas on a punt return, broke down in the open field, and made a likely touchdown saving tackle. Major Burns, at least 400 lbs. lighter than Jones, missed Jo’Quavius Marks on an early touchdown for Mississippi State. Burns is a good safety, so I’m not criticizing him. I’m pointing out just how impressive Emory Jones was on that play. It was also refreshing to see Armoni Goodwin finally get to display his speed in the open field.

This was another step in the ever-evolving 2022 LSU Tigers’ growth. Sure, there are areas in which they can improve, but that’s what makes the potential of this team exciting. LSU was able to learn from a win against a quality team, which always beats the alternative. Now it’s time to regroup and prepare for the national powerhouse and NFL factory known as the New Mexico Lobos. As always, keep calm and GEAUX TIGERS!!

The mighty LSU Tigers will begin SEC play as a two and a half point underdog to…Mississippi State? This would have been hard for me to believe in the old Jefferson Pilot days of LSU routinely beating the Bulldogs by 40, but that was then. This is now, and Mississippi State is a legitimate SEC team with the athletes and continuity to compete with anybody in the division. Head coach Mike Leach is now coaching one of the more physically gifted quarterbacks he’s had in Will Rogers, and MSU is currently considered more of a known commodity than LSU. However, they’ve only beaten Arizona and Memphis, so let’s not hand over the national championship trophy just yet. This game is obviously significant for both teams. It can give LSU a renewed sense of confidence in the new system and regime, or it could serve as a springboard for Mississippi State into national relevance. As usual, I’ll compare the units for a closer look.

MSU Offense vs. LSU Defense

Mississippi State is perceived as a run and shoot, fast paced offense. The truth is the Bulldogs run a ball control offense, which makes it even more critical for LSU to get off the field on third down. MSU is second only to Georgia in time of possession in the SEC. Rogers is smart, patient, and accurate. State has also improved their talent level at the skill positions, led by Caleb Ducking and Rara Thomas on the perimeter. Ducking is particularly dangerous in the red zone. Mike Leach has finally shown the willingness run the ball enough to keep the defense honest. LSU’s cornerbacks have held up well in coverage so far, so expect MSU to attack the middle of the field where LSU had some communication issues against Florida State. LSU linebacker Micah Baskerville returned to the lineup last week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. His coverage skills and playmaking ability combine for the ideal skillset for this game. As good as Rogers is, he made some questionable/late throws over the middle last week that Arizona did not always capitalize on. LSU will need to get pressure with a three man front to allow 8 in coverage, and it’s imperative that they make open field tackles. LSU has the athletes but has yet to play consistent, sound, mistake free defense for a whole game. Until they do, Mississippi State gets the nod here.

LSU Offense vs. MSU Defense

Mississippi State has talent on their front four, but I don’t expect them to generate the pressure Florida State did. There will be plays to be made for LSU. Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock made a concerted effort to get Kayshon Boutte involved early and often against Southern, and there were fewer drops amongst the wide receiver group last week. It was also encouraging to see Jayden Daniels keep his eyes downfield to pass while scrambling; he is an even more dangerous quarterback when doing so. Although the last game was not against comparable talent, it’s always a confidence booster when multiple weapons get involved. Don’t sleep on MSU’s secondary; they have enough NFL talent and size at cornerback to match up with LSU’s receivers better than most teams, as junior Emmanuel Forbes has been impressive since his arrival on campus. Running back John Emery finally returns for LSU this week, and the Tigers have to make more of an effort to run the ball. Time will tell if the changes to the offensive line personnel will stabilize the group, but Brian Kelly sure hopes so. This is a sound defense that won’t beat themselves, but LSU’s dangerous skill position players will only get more explosive as they get more experience playing together. Advantage LSU.

Mississippi State has looked better than LSU so far this year, and they should have. They returned more production than any team in the SEC and maintained continuity within the coaching staff. LSU has the higher ceiling from a talent standpoint. Tomorrow’s game will not be about ceilings or potential; it’s about deciding who the best team is right now. Surely, LSU has gotten better since week one, but how much? This the next test of the growth of this team. It’s key for LSU to make plays early to encourage what will be a raucous crowd for the first SEC home game of the year. The crowd noise, offensive line adjustments, and return of key players will be just enough to get the Tigers over the hump. LSU wins 28-24, the fan base overreacts, and Mike Leach learns that the 2020 Covid Classic was not a true indicator of the homefield advantage that Death Valley presents. Geaux Tigers!!

The city of Baton Rouge is buzzing this weekend, as the LSU Tigers and Southern Jaguars will meet today for the first time in the storied history of the two schools. The significance of this game does not lie in the win/loss column; the result will not reveal much about the current state of the programs. This is a rare chance for two proud, tradition rich programs and fan bases to come together. The average college football fan would consider this a “money game”, but that wouldn’t have been the case just a few generations ago. For perspective, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Ole Miss each have two NFL Hall of Fame players – Southern has three. Both LSU and Southern entered the year with new coaches and are implementing new philosophies and standards for fan bases with high expectations. Obviously, these teams are in different divisions with different resources. I won’t direct my focus on specific matchups, but I will watch closely to see how LSU corrects mistakes from Week 1.

Special Teams

• Brian Kelly stated that Malik Nabers will not be “fired from his duties” as the punt returner after two muffed punts, but I’m curious to see who else gets opportunities to return punts. Of course, ball security is the most important facet of this position.
• Blocked kicks cannot happen at this level of football. Special teams coach Brian Polian had a rough start to his LSU career last week, but kick protection boils down to fundamentals. This should be an easy fix going into Week 2.
• Kick returns were overlooked in the aftermath of a game with so many miscues, but Nabers will need to be more decisive. Returners have to reach full speed faster on kick returns than punt returns, and in many cases it’s better to simply call a fair catch. Offenses can do much worse than starting a drive on the 25 yard line.

Running Game

• The rushing numbers for LSU didn’t look bad last week, but Jayden Daniels can’t (and shouldn’t) do it alone. The Tiger running backs combined to average 3 yards per carry against Florida State, and that simply won’t cut it.
• One of the most concerning disappointments of Week 1 was that the offensive line could not re-establish the line of scrimmage. Pass blocking can sometimes come down to technique and communication, but getting stood up in the run game is not a technical issue. Physically, I don’t know how much better they can be. LSU will give opportunities to more linemen today to prove their worth.

Play Calling

• Jayden Daniels made better decisions last week on short to intermediate throws. He does not currently have the protection for plays that take time to develop, especially without a checkdown. LSU should continue to run tempo with quick outlets, and let the receivers do the work. It’s tougher for a team to take shots down the field when it can’t run the ball.
• This could be a product of Daniels’ strengths vs. his weaknesses, but there were no screen plays called last week. Mike Denbrock has to call plays that discourage opposing defenses that bringing extra pressure.

LSU will improve in many areas, such as tackling, by simply playing more games. Keep in mind that many of the starters seen last week did not even practice until the summer. This new coaching staff is still learning what the players are capable of, and Florida State was just the starting point. This team will grow from week to week. The best thing that could happen for both teams today is for players to get valuable, in-game reps and walk off the field with no injuries. Jaguars vs. Tigers. Harding vs. Dalrymple. Hennessy vs. Jack Daniels. Life is good. Enjoy what will be an absolutely legendary tailgate and Geaux Tigers!!

Well, that was ugly. LSU lost to Florida State, 24-23, in the most agonizing way possible. The Tigers were not great in any phase but were dreadful in the special teams phase of the game. As bad as LSU played, there were positives from this game to build on. LSU won the coin toss, so that’s something. LSU also muffed two punts, had two kicks blocked, shanked a punt, had two of the silliest personal fouls/targeting calls in the history of football, and only lost by one point. Jayden Daniels threw for over 200 yards and ran for over 100 yards. The secondary held up well, considering Florida State’s Jordan Travis escaped the blitz routinely to buy extra time. The biggest negative for LSU was the loss of Maason Smith for the year with a torn ACL. He can’t be replaced, but the Tigers can improve as a team.

What went wrong

• There was nothing special about the LSU special teams. No team can expect to win with the level of incompetence displayed in almost every aspect of the kicking game.
• The defense played well…until third down. There were good defensive calls made but bad execution on the field. Pass rushers consistently got in the backfield unblocked and took bad angles to the quarterback. Jordan Travis habitually escaped and found open receivers. The third down defense allowed FSU to control time of possession, so LSU was not able to get into an offensive rhythm.
• The coaching staff did not adjust offensively until they were forced to. There were times FSU got pressure on Daniels with 4, but there were more times when FSU blitzed with no checkdowns available for the quarterback. There were no screens called the whole game, and not many RPO’s. Tempo helped, but it should have come earlier. There was no sense of urgency when down by two scores in the fourth.
• LSU showed no interest or effort in establishing the run.
• Jayden Daniels will have to process faster for the offense to reach its potential. It’s tough to criticize Daniels, considering the circumstances (constant pressure), but there were passing plays to be made on some of the scrambles, which keeps the receivers engaged and also keeps Daniels healthy.

What went right

• Jayden Daniels carried the Tigers offensively in his first start. His running ability was evident from the first drive of the game. He became more confident in trusting what he saw regarding coverages as the game went on, as evidenced by him working from right to left with his eyes on the last touchdown.
• Much ado about Boutte’s body language, but LSU’s receivers made plays with limited opportunities. Jaray Jenkins was clutch, as always. Brian Thomas shined. Freshman tight end Mason Taylor showed playmaking ability and awareness.
• The secondary held its own in several single coverage opportunities for FSU. Jordan Travis had an extended amount of time in many of these cases. Many will see the touchdown on Bernard-Converse but will not see the reps he actually won when left on an island. Mekhi Garner also had a nice break up on a downfield pass. Not only did they cover well, but they avoided holding/pass interference penalties for the most part.
• The team didn’t quit. This game might have been the first step in changing the toxic culture the program displayed in the last couple of years. LSU got behind in some games in 2021 and looked as though they were waiting for the game to end. The Tigers fought until the last second and supported each other when mistakes were made.

This game exposed LSU in some areas, but it was not the physical beat down the UCLA/LSU game was. This was a product of offensive line deficiencies, special teams ineptitude, and poor tackling. Special teams and tackling can easily be fixed, as part of the tackling issue likely stems from the lack of tackling players to the ground at practice. The offensive line got better as the year went on last year with less talented players, so I expect the same this year. The coaching staff was able to see situations that made Jayden Daniels more comfortable, but there has to be more of an effort to run with actual running backs. Defenses will pin their ears back and rush without hesitation if the run isn’t a threat. This year will have its highs and lows, but the team will get better. This is a completely new team when it comes to both coaches and players, and adversity should be expected. It would be wise to avoid overreacting to every game. The results were disappointing but not hopeless. Geaux Tigers!!

I’ve always been taught to be grateful, and I was excited for Week 0 football. I also thoroughly enjoyed West Virginia/Pitt on Thursday night. However, excitement doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel as LSU prepares to take the field Sunday. It’s similar to when the older family member finishes blessing Thanksgiving dinner after I’ve starved myself since the day before to achieve maximum gluttony; the wait is over. LSU had a decimated roster and a culture crisis when Brian Kelly arrived, and that cannot be fixed overnight. A win against Florida State won’t signify the return of LSU as a national contender, but it can be a positive step in galvanizing the team and fan base. As the anticipation builds, I will finally preview the first game of the Brian Kelly era.

LSU Offense vs. Florida State Defense

LSU’s offensive line has been one of the biggest question marks throughout the offseason. They’re actually a talented group, but there is no way to know how long it will take them to build chemistry. Frankly, they will be tested. Robert Cooper eats space at nose tackle but does have the quickness to disrupt plays. If Cooper becomes a problem in the middle, LSU could have some bad snaps, as first-time center Garrett Dellinger is still learning the position. Derrick McClendon will be a force off the edge. This defensive line has legitimate NFL talent. For Florida State’s sake, they’ll have to be a force to compensate for the mismatches on the perimeter. FSU has improved their talent level under Mike Norvell, but they do not currently have the talent to match up with the LSU’s group of receivers. Any success LSU has with the run will put more pressure on Florida State’s secondary as safeties start to peek in the backfield. I’ll give LSU the advantage here.

LSU Defense vs. Florida State Offense

Florida State running backs Treshaun Ward, Trey Benson, and Lawrence Toafili all rushed for over 100 yards last week…against Duquesne. Don’t get me wrong, these are good backs to go along with a dynamic runner at quarterback, but you won’t have one running back breaking 18 tackles (this is a real stat) on Sunday. Jordan Travis returns at quarterback as a junior and has improved his passing after arriving as a one-dimensional prospect. I’ve mentioned it before on this site but watch out for Johnny Wilson at wide receiver. I’m curious to see how the LSU secondary handles the 6’7″ wideout with so many new faces at corner. As always, the game will be won in the trenches, so it’s time for the LSU defensive line to live up to the hype. The defensive line has been considered the strength of the LSU defense, if not the whole team. Hype, NFL draft stock, and big names won’t win the game for the Tigers; they’ll have to prove their worth on the field. If the line is as good as it’s thought to be, it should be a win for LSU. The Tigers get the nod in this matchup.

LSU has better personnel and a more proven coach than Florida State, but FSU has more continuity and familiarity within its program. This game will come down to how quickly LSU can learn to trust each other. Football is a game of keys, or responsibilities. It’s more challenging to read your keys when you’re not sure your teammate can adequately handle his assignments. Florida State will put constant pressure on LSU with multiple options for the quarterback on almost every running play. It will say a lot about the LSU coaching staff if the players can be disciplined and make FSU earn every yard. Expect the Tigers to outpace the Seminoles on offense and limit the big plays on defense. The Brian Kelly era starts off with a win. LSU 27 – Florida State 21. Geaux Tigers!!

College football is back! Week 0 brings an abundance of paycheck games along with a clash of perennial Big 10 powerhouses, Northwestern and Nebraska. Both teams combined for an awe-inspiring 6 wins last year, but I’ll take what I can get. Florida State takes on Duquesne in a game that’s more relevant to LSU. It’s definitely an advantage for FSU to get what amounts to a “warm up” game to correct issues they see in live action before playing LSU. However, the game also gives LSU a chance to scout Florida State, and one player that will stand out on offense is Johnny Wilson. Wilson is a 6’7″, 235 lb. wide receiver transfer from Arizona State, and the Tallahassee media has raved about him this offseason. Wilson obviously presents matchup problems with his size, which brings me to the next position group I’ll preview for LSU, the secondary.

Cornerbacks

Webster, Peterson, Claiborne, Stingley. I could name more, but the point is there is no established, shutdown, first round lock cornerback on this roster. Nevertheless, the staff has done an impressive job of restocking a depleted secondary in a transition year. It starts with first team Big 12 selection, Jarrick Bernard-Converse. The Shreveport native started for three years at Oklahoma State before transferring to LSU. He’ll start at one corner, while McNeese transfer Colby Richardson and UL transfer Mekhi Garner battle for the other side. Garner brings great size and confidence to the position. Richardson was the most overlooked transfer of the offseason but has simply played his way into the driver’s seat to win the job. Ohio State transfer Sevyn Banks is also a factor in the competition but has struggled to stay healthy during his career. Laterrance Welch and Jaelyn Davis-Robinson are true freshmen that will provide depth. It feels like now or never for sophomore Damarius McGee. If he can’t make an impact on this year’s team, then he’s unlikely to break into the rotation in the future as Brian Kelly recruits more high school talent.

Nickelback

Greg Brooks is one of two Arkansas transfers in the secondary, and he will start at the nickel position. Brooks started as a freshman at Arkansas and never relinquished his spot. Fortunately for LSU, the New Orleans native jumped at the opportunity to transfer to LSU for his final year of eligibility. His backup, Sage Ryan, is a former 5 star recruit that returns as a sophomore. Some “fans” judge Ryan too harshly because of his lofty ranking as a high school senior, but he’ll have plenty of opportunities to prove his worth.

Safeties

Jay Ward returns for his 24th year at free safety. Only joking about his tenure, but the senior 6’2″ former cornerback is a proven leader that plays with no regard for his 190 lb. frame. Ward is a great cover safety that is willing to support the run. Former Madison Prep star, Major Burns, will start at the other safety spot. Burns has been lauded by Brian Kelly for his communication skills, and it’s encouraging that he’s beaten out the Arkansas transfer, Joe Foucha. Foucha was a three year starter for Arkansas and has proven he can play at this level. Todd Harris is another senior that has had bad luck with injuries but brings experience to the room. Sophomores Matt Langlois and Derrick Davis will also provide depth. Davis was a blue chip recruit but has been noticeably absent from any conversation regarding contributors from the coaches.

LSU has made the most of difficult situation after losing Stingley, Cordale Flott, Eli Ricks, Dwight McGlothern, and more from the secondary. This could turn out to be a formidable group, but they are not as talented as last year. The good news is it’s practically impossible to have as many injuries as they had last year. It’s very much in the realm of possibility to have a good secondary without multiple first round picks, but it’s critical to communicate effectively amongst themselves. Coverage busts would be costly next week, as LSU does not have the luxury of starting the year against a cupcake. Geaux Tigers!!

This is it. This is the last weekend of 2022 without college football, and the last weekend of 2022 that I’m willing to participate in Saturday activities that don’t include TV’s. On that note, time is winding down for the LSU Tigers to choose a starting quarterback. With Florida State only two weeks away, the potential starter will need to get as many reps as possible for preparation and chemistry, and also for Brian Kelly and Mike Denbrock to sufficiently tailor the offense around his skillset. After a full scrimmage Wednesday, there have been some intriguing developments at other positions that will help solidify the depth chart.

• Myles Brennan has removed himself from the quarterback race and apparently quit football. Brennan had the physical tools but did not have the luck to go with it. I appreciate his decision to stay at LSU over the years in the age of the transfer portal.
• Noah Cain has surprisingly emerged as the starter at running back. It was even more surprising that Armoni Goodwin received 2nd team reps ahead of projected starter, John Emery. This could be a motivational tactic for Emery, or it could be that the other backs are outperforming him. No worries here; they’re all good, just different.
• McNeese transfer, Colby Richardson, has worked his way up to 1st team reps at cornerback. Jarrick Bernard-Converse is entrenched at one corner, but the competition will continue with Richardson, Mekhi Garner, and Sevyn Banks for the other spot.

Today’s scrimmage should offer more light to the likely outcome of these position battles. Kelly mentioned shifting some offensive linemen around today, so that will give guys like Cam Wire and freshman guard Emory Jones an opportunity to prove they’re worthy of a starting spot. I’ll be looking out for developments in the secondary, running back rotation, and of course, the quarterbacks.

Quarterbacks

The departure of Myles Brennan confirmed what most already knew; the battle for QB1 is between Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier. Daniels enters his senior year at a new program after starting three years for Arizona State. The 6’3″, 200 lb senior is thought of in some circles as a runner and inaccurate. Daniels can run, but he can also make plays from the pocket. The accuracy issues people saw in the spring is more of a product of a lack of reps to build timing and chemistry with the receivers than an indictment of his ability. Several LSU receivers spent time working out with Daniels in his home state of California this summer, and the familiarity can only help him. The attention Daniels’ running ability commands makes it tough for opposing defenses to double anybody from LSU’s talented receiving group. Garrett Nussmeier is trying to prove he’s a mature, cerebral quarterback, and not just a “gunslinger”. Nussmeier displayed accuracy, timing, decision making, and ball placement that went beyond what I saw from the other quarterbacks in the spring. However, that was the spring. Nussmeier has to continue to improve and has to be overwhelmingly better operating the offense to overcome Daniels’ running ability. Don’t discount the fact that Nussmeier came to LSU with the insanely talented sophomore class of receivers currently on the roster. The time spent and relationships built plays a role in the leadership ability of the quarterback and cannot be ignored. Walker Howard is a true freshman and the son of former LSU quarterback, Jamie Howard. Howard is probably the most talented pure passer on the roster, but he is prepared to redshirt and is not likely to get meaningful snaps this year.

As it stands today, all indications point to Jayden Daniels being named the starter. I’m confident in both quarterbacks’ ability to lead the team. Either way, this is not the time to get too caught up in the depth chart. Many position battles will continue to go on into the season, including quarterback. Some players will play better in games than they do at practice. The good thing is competition will keep players hungry and only make them better. Until next time, Geaux Tigers!!

The days are hot, but the recruiting is hotter. LSU has gained three commitments in the past week, and now have their quarterback for the 2023 class in Woodlawn’s Rickie Collins. Shelton Sampson of Catholic is a 5 star wide receiver and is now the highest rated player in the class, and the Tigers were also able to keep Zachary’s 4 star safety, Kylin Jackson, at home. We are now three weeks away from watching the Tigers line up against Florida State, and every practice observation, comment, and video is instantly devoured for survival until September 4. On that note, I’ll list a few updates on fall camp developments.

• It has not been confirmed by coaches, but it is seemingly established that the quarterback race is down to Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier. With Nussmeier nursing an ankle injury, Daniels took the majority of first team reps in the last practice of which the media was allowed to attend.
• Garrett Dellinger is working out at center. His potential at the position could solidify a first team offensive line of Campbell, Shorts, Dellinger, Frazier, and Bradford (L-R). This would also be a major upgrade physically from the center position of last year.
• Many linebackers will play, but Mike Jones is a constant.
• The secondary is far from settled. Jay Ward and Major Burns lead a deep safety group.

There has also been news at running back, which brings me to the next two position groups of the preview series, the running backs and tight ends.

Running backs

By all accounts, John Emery is ready to live up to his 5 star billing in his senior season. Standing at 5’11” and 220 lbs., he looked more physical in the spring. He’s always had the home run ability from anywhere on the field. It was notable that Penn State transfer Noah Cain also got reps with the first team last week. Now a senior, Cain has yet to regain his freshman form of over 5 yards per carry. To be fair, the quarterback play at Penn State last year did not help his cause. The departure of Tre Bradford said a lot about the ascent of Cain and Armoni Goodwin. Goodwin is the fastest of the group but showed the ability and willingness to run between the tackles. John Williams is a dependable former walk on that tends to be forgotten but might be the best pass protecting running back on the roster. He will continue to have a role.

Tight Ends

Despite the opinions of the masses, this is not a bad group. Kole Taylor returns for his junior season listed at 6’7″, 250 lbs. He’s a better receiving threat than given credit for; it’s tough to get targets with so much talent at wide receiver. He’ll need to be more physical as a blocker. Jack Mashburn does not have an issue with being physical. Mashburn will likely start at the position and proved his worth as a blocker last year. Nick Storz, the former Tiger pitcher, also returns, but coaches have raved about the ability of true freshman, Mason Taylor. Taylor is the son of former Miami Dolphins star, Jason Taylor. Don’t be surprised to see him have an impact in his freshman season.

This is one of the more underrated running back rooms in the conference. Emery and Goodwin are exciting, explosive backs. The addition of Noah Cain is significant in that it gives LSU another element of power that I don’t think they have if Emery gets injured. The tight ends have been condemned as the worst position group on the team, and that might be true. However, I don’t see them as a liability. All I ask is they sufficiently help out the offensive line and avoid drops with the rare targets they get in the passing game. With Brian Kelly’s history, one can trust that he’ll get the most out of their ability. Geaux Tigers!!