Fall Camp is back at LSU, and it means more than just players reporting to practice. It means the position battles fans have talked about all summer will soon be won or lost. It means we finally get a glimpse of the incoming freshmen and transfers that weren’t on campus in the spring. From a fan’s perspective, it means we’re one step closer to the best regular season in major sports. The return of the players has brought the news of a loss at the running back position, as the program has acknowledged that Tre Bradford is no longer with the team. There was also positive news, as star WR Kayshon Boutte is back to 100%. Freshman linebacker Harold Perkins is up to 220 lbs, and Brian Kelly’s comments about his “suddenness” leads me to believe he’ll get valuable snaps this year, starting or not. The increase in media access this year should give fans a better idea of how the depth chart shakes out at quarterback, cornerback, and the next position to get the spotlight on this site, the offensive line.

Left Tackle

LSU added 4 true freshmen and 2 transfers to the only unit with position coach continuity from the Orgeron regime. The most impressive incoming player is the 6’6″, 325 lb. freshman from Monroe, LA, Will Campbell. Some national writers see a starting freshman at left tackle as a deficiency, but I disagree. This is the first LSU freshman to start at left tackle since Andrew Whitworth (2002), so he must be a difference maker. Sophomore Marcus Dumervil will also compete at the position. Senior Cameron Wire, who was serviceable at the position last year, can provide depth.

Left Guard

East Tennessee State transfer and FCS All-American Tremond Shorts is expected to start at left guard. Baton Rouge native and junior Kardell Thomas can play either guard spot, but one can only hope that he regains his pre-injury form that excited the fanbase before his arrival. Watch out for another Baton Rouge native, freshman Emory Jones, to possibly work his way onto the field at left guard.

Center

The center position is the biggest question, with junior Charles Turner expect to start after two seasons of adding functional weight. Freshman Fitzgerald West was recruited as a center, but will likely need more strength and experience before playing at this level. If Turner goes down, expect a veteran guard to move to center.

Right Guard

Florida International transfer and Freshman All-American Miles Frazier is the most probable starter at right guard, but he’ll be pushed by veterans like Marlon Martinez and Xavier Hill. Martinez has given LSU solid snaps at times, so he shouldn’t be counted out.

Right Tackle

The 6’6″, 295 lb. senior, Cameron Wire, has grown enough throughout his career to start at left tackle in 2021, so I expect him to be more than adequate on the right side. Edge rushers are moved around so much in today’s game that I’m not sure if the move will lead to better matchups, but Wire has the athleticism and experience to succeed. Garrett Dellinger is a redshirt freshman with a high ceiling that could also get snaps at right tackle, and the massive, 345 lb. Anthony Bradford has manned the position at times. Bradford also has the physical attributes to play guard.

Some see the offensive line as the weakness of the team. I don’t think this group can be worse than last year. Offensive line coach Brad Davis was thrown into the fire during the off-season last year without the opportunity to coach the unit through the spring and an inexperienced offensive coordinator. This group lost starters from last year who were dependable, but not physically imposing in a relative sense. I feel Brad Davis will continue to prove his worth with a formidable offensive line in 2022. They might not be dominant, but they will be better. Geaux Tigers!!

One of two things tend to happen to fanbases in the summer – you either panic about recruiting or become unreasonably overconfident about the upcoming season. The recruiting panic was real in early June. “Brian Kelly’s talking weird.” “Brian Kelly’s dancing and grinding on the recruits.” “I don’t know if he fits the culture in Louisiana.” All Kelly did in July was secure commitments from 11 players in one month. The addition of St. Augustine’s offensive tackle Tyree Adams not only added to a position of need but took another step in proving Kelly can recruit highly coveted in-state prospects. This column wasn’t meant to be about recruiting, but what the LSU staff has done lately cannot be ignored. Now, on to players that are already on campus. Today, I’ll start a series of posts that preview the different position groups of the team. The series begins with probably the most impressive group, the wide receivers.

Blessed with speed, change of direction, strong hands, and YAC ability, the quick twitched Kayshon Boutte is the unquestioned star of this group. Now that he’s been awarded the heralded number 7, fans also know that he’s considered a leader of this team. Boutte is projected to be a first round pick by any 2023 mock draft publication of substance; there’s not much more to say about him. The sophomores as a group are as impressive as any one class of receivers I have seen at LSU. Jack Bech led the team in catches last year while playing at tight end. I’ll be blunt – don’t get caught up in stereotypes (deceptive speed, high motor, cerebral, fundamentally sound) when you see him on the field. Bech is proven and will be even better at his natural position of receiver. Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas are the other sophomore wideouts who stood out last year. Nabers displayed ball skills that can’t be taught while making highlight catches look easy. At 6’1″, his vertical and overall athleticism allow him to play bigger than his size. Walker High’s Brian Thomas could be the most intriguing of the group. He’s as athletic (former D1 basketball recruit) as any other receiver in the room, but he’s also 6’4″. Senior Jaray Jenkins, of Jena, LA, always seems to be the forgotten man amongst the receivers, but all he does is keep producing. Jenkins was second on the team in receiving yards in 2021, but more importantly came up big with clutch TD catches when the team needed him the most. Jenkins’ savvy and leadership make him even more valuable to the group. Sophomore Chis Hilton was rated as a top 5 wide receiver recruit by 247sports.com and displays the athletic tools needed to succeed; there simply weren’t enough balls to go around for him in 2021. It won’t be any easier for him to break into the rotation this year with the addition of Kyren Lacy of ULL. It was easy to see Lacy’s big body and ability to stretch the field in the spring, but he’ll have to consistently make the contested catches to stand out in this group. His choice to transfer to LSU tells me that he won’t lack for confidence.

Brian Kelly, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, and QB coach Joe Sloan have all at some point given the same answer when asked of the expectations of the quarterback: get the ball to the playmakers. The coaches know where their strength lies, and these playmakers can make the quarterback’s job a lot easier. I realize what Ohio St. has coming back for 2022, but the LSU wide receivers as a group are as good as any in the country. Geaux Tigers!

Summer days as a football fan are like a Nevada desert – hot, infinite, and miserable. The arrival of SEC Media Days is the oasis we need to survive until the first games in late August. Media Days are the television equivalent of preview magazines. They provide depth chart projections, team record speculation, and a few interesting quotes to which fans can overreact. It’s important to listen to what the coaches and players say this week, but it’s even more important to interpret what they say without verbally saying it. For example, LSU’s player representatives were BJ Ojulari, Jack Bech, and Mike Jones. Brian Kelly is telling the college football world that Ojulari is a star, Bech is mature enough to be a leader as a sophomore, and Mike Jones will be a key component of the defense. Mike Jones’s development at MLB is particularly important with the loss of Damone Clark to the NFL. Kelly was the first coach to address the room, and he did not disappoint with cliches and “coach speak” answers.

• When asked about the allure of LSU, Kelly mentioned the “shared vision with the administration”. Those words effectively told anybody listening that Kelly did not feel he was getting the administrative support he needed at Notre Dame to reach the potential of the program.
• Kelly said he would “keep an eye” on the offensive line. I’m not convinced it will be a weakness, but it’s far from a sure thing.
• In response to a question about overcoming the lack of NIL funds, Kelly’s rebuttal was “I don’t know that we don’t have as many funds…What we’re doing relative to NIL is as competitive as anybody else.” His recruiting wins lately reflect his words, to say the least.
• Kelly stated that the most important traits for his quarterback is to “take care of the football, get the ball to playmakers, and make plays”. Kelly understands the advantage he has with an embarrassment of riches at the wide receiver position. The starter might not be the most physically talented of the group, but the one that can get the ball out accurately and on time.
• On and off the stage, Kelly repeatedly mentioned the “state of Louisiana” regarding recruiting. LSU’s 2023 class is on a hot streak with players from all over the country, but he realizes the importance of locking the state down. He also wants the players and coaches of Louisiana high schools to notice his emphasis on in-state recruiting.

Brian Kelly was exactly what one would expect him to be at Media Days – composed, professional, and prepared. I couldn’t help but notice the quiet confidence he exuded in several of the off-stage interviews. Coach Kelly thinks his team is better than the national pundits project them to be. As I closely examine every position group, I wouldn’t bet against him. GEAUX TIGERS!

The LSU coaching staff began spring camp with three major tasks – building up a depleted roster with high school players and transfers, recruiting/evaluating the players already on the roster, and choosing a starting quarterback. Coach Brian Kelly worked quickly and efficiently in constructing the 6th ranked overall recruiting class in the country, per 247sports. Kelly has given unprecedented media access to practices, and yesterday the public was finally able to see the new Tigers in the L Club Spring Game. There were plenty of encouraging moments throughout the game, but a few elements of the team stood out.

Running Back Depth

John Emery is the unquestioned leader entering his senior year and showed why yesterday. His speed was acknowledged, but the physical nature he showcased during the spring game is what separates him from the pack. Sophomores Armoni Goodwin and Tre Bradford were both decisive, explosive runners and effective receivers out of the backfield. Josh Williams, the former walk-on, was also productive and hard to tackle. Penn State transfer Noah Cain will arrive in the summer to add to an already impressive group.

DBWHO?

LSU lost Derek Stingley, Cordale Flott, Dwight McGlothern, and Elias Ricks from last year’s team; all will eventually be NFL defensive backs. The Tigers added 3 high school signees and 5 transfers to the defensive backfield in the 2022 class. UL transfer cornerback Mekhi Garner’s physical stature stood out, but more importantly his coverage skills were impressive. Returning junior Jordan Toles switched positions from safety to corner and looked comfortable at the position. LSU’s group of receivers are elite as a whole, and the defensive backs held their own. Transfers from Oklahoma State and Ohio State, Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Sevyn Banks, respectively, will be available in the summer to add to a talented group. Both received All Conference honors at their previous stops.

Quarterback Depth

Myles Brennan has proven he’s capable of playing at high level. Jayden Daniels threw for almost 3,000 yards with a 17-2 TD-INT ratio as a true freshman at Arizona State. Sophomore Garrett Nussmeier outplayed both of them yesterday. I can’t say that Nuss is the best candidate to start after watching one practice, but his touch, timing, and decision making was a step above the competition. I will say that each quarterback is talented and capable of winning. Freshman Walker Howard was not as polished as the upperclassmen, but his physical tools were apparent.

Programs are expected to take a step back after a coaching change. Philosophies and expectations have to be established. Players have to be recruited. Brian Kelly is ahead of schedule after his first spring. His focus on discipline and accountability was required to show the team their mentality would have to change under his regime. It’s impossible to project a win total for 2022 at this point, but LSU will not be a .500 team this year under Kelly’s direction. Geaux Tigers!!

Only two FBS coaches have won ten games every year from 2017 through a Covid shortened 2020. Nope, Dabo Swinney isn’t one of them. Kirby Smart did not, and neither did Ryan Day. The short list represents LSU’s past and present – Nick Saban and Brian Kelly. Understandably, there were mixed reactions after the news broke of the impending hire. “He’s too old.” “He can’t win the big ones.” “He’s not a culture fit.” I understand the reservations because I understand human nature; we tend to take things for granted. We accept that Notre Dame is in the playoff hunt every couple of years, and we attribute it to the playoff committee being partial towards Notre Dame because of their history. We wait for them to fail in the playoffs because it feels good to be proven right. In the midst of overlooking and making fun of the Irish we never stop to consider how impressive it is for them to consistently position themselves to be in the playoff race in the first place. There are not many coaches winning at the rate Kelly wins. The most burdensome hurdle for Notre Dame to overcome is recruiting. According the 247 Composite rankings, the state of Indiana has a combined nine 4 and 5 star recruits in what’s considered a good year for the state. Louisiana has 15, and also has the highest number of NFL players per capita in the country according to nflcommunications.com. Not only does Louisiana have more talent, but LSU has lower admission standards which gives LSU access to hundreds of prospects that Notre Dame can’t accept. College football success boils down to recruiting, so Kelly’s 92-39 record at Notre Dame considering those limitations is impressive to say the least.

Contrary to popular belief, Brian Kelly’s personality is the perfect fit for what the program needs right now. LSU has skated by for years with Title IX issues, improper benefits, and Snapchat misjudgments. Kelly comes off as a guy that sees untucking his shirt as a walk on the wild side. LSU needs a straight-laced leader. The wild Tigers need structure, stability, and accountability. Kelly projects all three. Les Miles was considered charming when he talked in circles without actually saying anything as long as he was winning. Coach O was the state’s favorite Cajun, unintelligible son while he was winning. The best way to fit in is to win games. At 263-96-2, Kelly has won a lot of them. Speaking of fits, the coaching candidate that fans were so excited about fled to the west coast to avoid the SEC. I would not consider him a good fit for LSU.

Nick Saban was 34-24-1 when he came to LSU. Miles was 28-21. Brian Kelly is easily the most accomplished coach to be hired at LSU, and he couldn’t have come at a better time. Scott Woodward was attacked mercilessly before anyone knew who the coach would be; do not doubt him. Woodward hasn’t missed on a coaching hire at LSU, and he understands that LSU football is one bad hire from becoming Texas. Kelly has won at every stop, and I fully expect him to win at LSU with more resources than he’s ever had. If you haven’t come around yet, simply check the resume. As for me, I’m all in. GEAUX TIGERS!!

The phrase “throw the records out when these teams play” gets thrown around recklessly in a sport with so many rivalries, but LSU/Florida proved once again that we never really know what’s going to happen when these teams meet. LSU was physically mauled last week, lost thousands of players to injury, have coaching hire rumors swirling daily, and an 11:00AM game, which always seems to take a little fight out of the Fighting Tigers. Besides that, Florida had the extra incentive of vengeance after giving the game away last year, so it’s a no-brainer. LSU didn’t stand a chance to beat Florida. How could they possibly defeat the best rushing team and 3rd best defense in the SEC after getting exposed by Kentucky?

Tyrion Davis-Price eclipsed his season total of rushing yards in a single game for the second week in a row, breaking the LSU single game record with 287 yards. It was encouraging to see him run well against Kentucky, but part of me wondered if Kentucky was content to concede rushing yards while they focused on eliminating the big play. There were no doubts against Florida; LSU imposed their will up front in a manner we haven’t seen all year. Jake Peetz completely and finally abandoned the zone run scheme in favor of an onslaught of counter trey runs that Florida simply could not stop. It was gratifying to see Price and the offensive line have such a dominant performance, considering the amount of criticism they’ve received this year. Speaking of the offensive line, it’s no coincidence that the running game has been more effective since walk-on, Jack Mashburn (no. 82), entered the lineup. Though he’s a tight end by position, his role is that of an extra lineman, and he’s contributed heavily to the newfound success of the running game.

The undermanned LSU defense would not be denied. LSU had two replacement corners, a true freshman nickelback making his first start, and a backup free safety on the field. The secondary played admirably, but they were helped by the defensive line. Florida is the best rushing team in the SEC, but they saw early on that LSU was playing to contain the running game, more specifically their quarterback. Consequently, Mullen went to the passing game early in the game, but their left tackle was quickly slapped around by BJ Ojulari. Florida took advantage of the LSU secondary misplaying a Hail Mary before the half, but they didn’t find a rhythm offensively until Mullen went exclusively to Anthony Richardson in the third quarter. Even then it didn’t matter because they couldn’t stop the LSU running game.

Sports mirror life in many ways. One truth evident in both is circumstances are never as bad as they look, and rarely as good as they look. I don’t have to list the players; the casual fan realizes the rash of injuries LSU has had this year is highly unusual. We have doubts about the head coach’s job security, so we question the effort of the players. The home crowd left early against Auburn with the game still in question, so why would they show up for a Saturday morning Florida game? Well, the backups played great, the whole team gave maximum effort, and the crowd was deafening when the Tigers needed them the most. At LSU, you’re never too far off from being a contender. There isn’t anything of significance left to win this year, but they can decide how they finish. The players, coaches, and fans can decide how they represent the purple and gold when pride is the only thing left on the line. LSU went 8-5 in 2002, then won it all in 2003. Don’t get caught up in the moment; the rumors of the demise of the LSU program are greatly exaggerated. GEAUX TIGERS!!

LSU was bullied by Kentucky in a 42-21 loss, violently hammering the last nail in the coffin of the Ed Orgeron era. The Tigers gave up 330 rushing yards, and looked completely helpless while doing so. Not only was the defensive effort embarrassing, but I found it odd that the offense could look so bad on the same night LSU would have their best rushing attack of the year. The head coach is ultimately responsible for the issues within this team, and I’m more confident than ever that he will not finish the season. If it is in fact “one team, one heartbeat”, that heartbeat is waning by the week. There will be plenty of time to speculate on potential head coach targets, so for now I’ll just focus on the game.

It was evident early on that LSU would have issues against the run. I was foolishly confident the defense would contain Kentucky running backs Chris Rodriguez and Kavosiey Smoke after the Tigers shut down Auburn’s dynamic duo last week, and Kentucky quickly gained control of the line of scrimmage on their first possession. Even Will Levis, UK’s quarterback, slowly ran for 75 yards against LSU. This was a physical beatdown of epic proportions, and LSU somehow made it even worse with baffling substitutions throughout. Although they didn’t play a perfect game, Damone Clark and Micah Baskerville are the only linebackers I trust on this team. Kentucky broke big runs with them in the game, but the Wildcats were guaranteed to break them when they were not in the game. Kentucky didn’t pass much, but when they did there was no pass rush whatsoever. LSU did nothing defensively to make UK uncomfortable at any point during the game. The Tigers have not blitzed often this year, but sometimes chances have to be taken when nothing else is working.

My thoughts on the offense begin with Ty Davis-Price. The kid has been criticized heavily this year, but his effort level remained the same. Price ran for 147 yards last night, which eclipsed his season total. Armoni Goodwin made two consecutive effective runs to gain a first down. The offense finally had the run game needed to be a complete, dominant offense, right? Nope. Max Johnson finished with a decent stat line, but this was his worst game of 2021. Accuracy, decision making, and his internal clock failed him last night. Johnson would be helped immensely by better play calling. As great as the running backs looked, down 3 scores with 6 minutes left is not the time to run the ball. Peetz is still going for it on fourth down without having a play ready on fourth down. The receivers are running long, slow developing routes when the opponent is conceding slants and 10 yard comebacks the whole game. Jake Peetz understands concepts, but he has no feel for play calling. As I’ve watched LSU this year, I’ve never felt like the offensive plays tied into each other for a common purpose as to say “This is who we are”. It’s felt more like he’s calling plays completely independent of each other from down to down. It looks as though LSU is practicing plays more so than running an offense. I attribute this to Orgeron chasing the ghost of Joe Brady. You can’t hire a coach with the expectation that he’ll install a different coach’s offense. Coach O should have brought an established offensive coordinator in to run his own offense.

Thanks, Coach Ed Orgeron. You gave us one of the most exciting, gratifying seasons I’ve ever experienced. It’s now time to go, and there is no one to blame but yourself. Being a head coach is about more than knowing football, teaching football, and recruiting. A head coach has to be PR savvy. He has to be able to evaluate position coaches and coordinators. He has to know how to build a team, as opposed to collecting talent. Don’t hire Bo Pelini then announce (without being provoked) that your defense is better than it was when Aranda was here. Don’t allow women to take pictures of you in bed with an exhausted grin on your face. Spend more time getting to know and understand your team. Spend less time catering to cable news outlets. You won’t get fired for going back and forth with an opposing fan, but it’s not a good look when you get blown out the same day. Orgeron was fortunate to win a championship, but I’ll give him credit for putting the staff and players in place to do so. However, LSU can not go forward allowing him to hire new coordinators every year while we cross our fingers and hope for the best. Orgeron is the only coach I know that could prove the naysayers wrong then prove them right in a span of 2 years. It was real, but this is the end of the Ed Orgeron era. Geaux Tigers!

We’ve all heard of statement wins; this was a statement loss. This loss highlighted LSU’s deficiencies, and Auburn came away with a 24-19 win after overcoming a 13-0 deficit. This was Auburn’s first win in Baton Rouge since lighting cigars in Tiger Stadium in 1999. LSU got off to a promising start, stopping the visiting Tigers on their first drive with an aggressive defense geared towards stopping the run. Max Johnson hit Kayshon Boutte for a 55 yard gain on their first offensive play. Johnson would eventually finish the drive with a perfectly placed 31 yard touchdown to Boutte. Everything seemed be going well, but that would prove to be the last touchdown of the night for LSU. The defensive game plan was to stop the run. LSU held Auburn to 44 total yards rushing for the night, which under normal circumstances is a formula for success. The problem is Bo Nix was anything but normal in this game. Nix channeled his inner Manziel and converted a critical 4th and 2 into a touchdown the second quarter. The game never felt the same. Auburn would go on to score 17 more points while LSU settled for field goals. The defense did a good job of getting into the backfield, but they have to find a way to tackle the quarterback when he’s within their grasps. However, I can’t blame this loss on the defense when the offense had eight possessions after the Auburn touchdown and came away with two field goals. How could LSU be so stagnant after scoring so easily earlier in the game?

Jake Peetz refused to run the ball. Corey Kiner’s first 2 runs went for 11 and 6 yards, respectively. Kiner would only get 3 more carries on the night. This is inexcusable. There is no explanation for handing the ball off to lesser backs with an offense that averages less than 2 yards before contact per run, especially when the carries are so limited. It’s not always about having a dominant running game; the threat of the run is enough to take pressure off the quarterback as well as the defense. Max Johnson can’t consistently win against quality teams with no run threat whatsoever; no quarterback can. LSU has to be more balanced regardless of the effectiveness of the run plays. We’re still not seeing enough creativity (pre-snap motion, wildcat, jet sweep action) running the ball, which leads me to believe Peetz has given up on the run completely. You can not allow a team to drop nine guys in coverage at any level of football. The plays have to come in quicker from the sidelines. It seems that every week the coaches talk about what has to change, but nothing is changing offensively. It’s bad enough that Johnson has to operate in a one dimensional offense, but it’s worse when the offensive play calls come in late. Peetz is not giving the young quarterback enough time to check protection, and the team is losing valuable timeouts. Even Les Miles had to laugh when they called a timeout after a kickoff. They’re also losing any chance to run plays with tempo if the plays don’t come in. Sometimes it’s better to simply run a play than call a timeout then run a different, yet equally ineffective play. When you struggle to run your best chance to gain positive yardage is to catch the defense off guard, but that’s next to impossible if the play clock is down to 2 seconds before the snap. The play calling and flow of the game is putting too much pressure on Johnson, and the Tigers are fortunate he hasn’t had more interceptions resulting from impatience.

The flaws of this team will be magnified as they enter an even more competitive stretch of the schedule. There is nothing the staff can do about the physical limitations of the offensive line, but there are many other shortcomings that can be addressed. I can only hope that the coaches learn from their mistakes and put the team, specifically the offense, in a better position to be successful. As time goes by I’m losing confidence in their ability to do so. Although I can only speculate, I think that Orgeron needs at least 8 wins to keep his job. That means 5 more wins with an undefeated Kentucky, Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas A&M. It all starts with a trip to Lexington this weekend, but LSU does have the benefit of playing Kentucky after an emotional win against Florida. This season isn’t lost, but time is running out. GEAUX TIGERS!

Buckle your chin straps, ladies and gentlemen; it’s Auburn week. LSU vs. Auburn is a storied, yet strange rivalry. It’s had nail biters, fires, earthquakes, and miraculous comebacks. This year’s game has produced a storyline that proves reality is often stranger than fiction. Former LSU quarterback, TJ Finley, played his worst game as a Tiger on the Plains against Auburn last year. He’ll return Saturday playing and possibly starting for the Auburn Tigers against his old teammates. Bryan Harsin was named head coach at Auburn this year after spending six seasons in the same role at Boise State. Harsin has not named a starter at quarterback, but he’d be hard pressed to leave Finley on the bench a week after saving the Tigers from losing to the national powerhouse known as Georgia State University. The quarterbacks on each side of the field will dominate the headlines leading up to this game, but there are many other factors that will ultimately determine the outcome of this game.

Stop the run

The last time LSU faced a physical running attack they were mauled and deflowered by UCLA. I’ll give Daronte Jones credit for the improvement his defense had made from week to week, but this is the first time they’ll be tested in that regard since week 1. We’ll see the complete opposite of the game plan utilized against Mississippi State. Auburn has an elite running back in Tank Bigsby, and they want to run the ball. LSU has talent in their front seven, but they have to prove they have the size, focus, and heart to stand up to a team that challenges them physically. Jones still has to prove he can adjust when the offense uses unconventional methods to run the ball. This is Auburn’s strength, and the success of the run makes the quarterback’s job a lot easier.

Finish drives

LSU has feasted on big plays this year, but they’ve had trouble sustaining methodical drives that end with touchdowns. The lack of a running game is part of the problem, but there are other contributing factors that have led to a minimal time of possession in games in which they’ve struggled. Dropped passes and inaccurate throws have stopped drives when an otherwise effective play has been called. The running backs haven’t always read their blocks well or had the vision to see open cutback lanes. The offensive line has issues diagnosing who to block when there is movement before the snap from the defense. All these issues are fixable, but time is of the essence. If LSU executes more consistently it results in fewer plays and less pressure on the defense.

Home field advantage

This will be the first game since 2019 that we’ll see a true big game, Tiger Stadium environment. The importance of the game combined with a late kickoff should result in the Tigers feeding off a raucous crowd Saturday night. Conversely, the crowd can have an adverse effect on the visiting Tigers in key moments. LSU will need and take all the help they can get in this pivotal game, and the fans could be the difference in a matchup that could easily go either way.

I’m not sure what LSU’s ceiling is at this point in the season, but they’ve shown growth. The defensive game plan and execution was encouraging against the pass happy Mississippi State. Now it’s time to see if they’ve made the adjustments necessary to stifle a run first team. LSU/Auburn is always unpredictable, but more often than not it won’t be a blowout. A win Saturday will give the team confidence that they can match up against any style they play against; a loss makes you wonder who else they can beat on their remaining schedule. I think the real Tigers continue to progress this weekend, and LSU comes out with a close win. LSU 31 – Auburn 27. Geaux Tigers!!!

Thanks to a few key big plays from the offense and a patient, yet opportunistic defensive game plan, the LSU Tigers came out with a 28-25 win against Mississippi State. The offense had chances to put the game away, and the defense gave up two touchdowns with blown coverages. That’s not exactly encouraging, but the win itself outweighs any criticism of the process. We’re seeing a young quarterback and first year coordinators grow each week, and it’s imperative to do so with the schedule ahead. Jake Peetz is finding a rhythm with plays that set up bigger plays; he just needs more consistent execution. Daronte Jones challenged Mississippi State to be patient, and he won that battle. Max Johnson showed a willingness to step up in the pocket when the faced with a pass rush. He still makes throws without setting his feet at times, but who wouldn’t with the protection (or lack thereof) he’s had this year? Now that the Tigers have another W in the bag, I’ll evaluate their performance in my somewhat misguided keys to the game from the game preview.

Don’t abandon the run

LSU finished with 27 carries as a team for a whopping 63 yards. Oddly enough, I think they took a step in the right direction. While some runs went for minimal yardage, many of them were in short yardage situations. This means the offense put themselves in 3rd and short, so the offense did well on 1st and 2nd down. This is exactly what you want as an offensive coordinator, manageable distances on 3rd down to keep drives going. Ty Davis-Price had his best game yet, averaging almost 4 yards a carry. Corey Kiner showed toughness, elusiveness, and immaturity with the attempted hurdle (flashes of Richard Murphy) on the sideline. Fortunately, he wasn’t injured, but let’s hope that’s a lesson learned. Obviously, the running game isn’t where it needs to be, but it’s better. The little success they had was instrumental in opening up other options for the offense. We don’t get the 64 yard Kayshon Boutte RPO touchdown without the threat of the run. I’d like to see more jet sweep action simply to make the defense hesitate before keying in on the ball carrier.

Hit Will Rogers

Here’s where I missed the mark. It would have been great to see Rogers pressured more, but as it turned out they didn’t need to hit him often to win. Rogers got impatient on the early interception to Cordale Flott. Repeatedly running the ball, while effective in this game, is like torture to Mike Leach. Daronte Jones conceded the short passes and runs with 3 down linemen, and rarely brought a fourth lineman in the game. Jones felt it was more important to have an extra DB on the field, and his plan clearly worked. Maason Smith held his own after moving from defensive tackle to defensive end, and it’s a luxury to have a an end with his size available as the Tigers approach more physical teams in the near future.

No Blown Coverages

Despite the Tigers’ defensive improvements they still had two costly mistakes that resulted in touchdowns. LSU’s margin for error is too slim at this point to continue to win games with such self destructive plays. It helped to get Jay Ward back at safety, but Jones has to somehow eliminate the mistakes going forward.

The LSU players and coaches have faced a lot of criticism since their opening loss, and rightfully so as there is room for improvement in all phases of the game. However, college football has proven to be unpredictable in 2021. There are no dominant teams, and most of the perennial powers are fighting to find their identities. Clemson can’t score, Oklahoma fans are clamoring for the backup quarterback, Texas A&M can’t score, and Ohio State was embarrassed at home by Oregon. Even the Fighting Sabans had trouble putting Florida away after gaining a three score lead. There is more parity in FBS football than there has been in years, so all the Tigers’ goals are still attainable. It sounds cliché, but the key is to focus on getting better each week. The offensive line can’t possibly get worse . The young receivers will get more comfortable with experience, but there will be drops along with highlight reel catches. Damone Clark and Micah Baskerville are playing their best football at linebacker right now, and they’ll be key contributors when a different set of Tigers bring a physical running game to Baton Rouge this weekend. The focus now shifts to an all too familiar opponent, Auburn. Geaux Tigers!!!