The LSU Tigers are unbeaten, but they are not imposing. That might seem like a criticism, but it is more an extension of some not-too-complicated realities. The Tigers were not dominant on offense against Auburn but made just enough plays to win.
By Matt Zemek
Joe Burrow is doing a great job of not turning the ball over, and LSU is gaining leverage relative to its opponents because of the mistakes it avoids, rather than the huge plays it creates. This is important to note just so that people don’t get the impression that LSU’s unbeaten start is not the product of overwhelming offensive skill. No, it is more a matter of LSU enlarging its own margins while shrinking them for opponents.
The Tigers have to keep doing what they are doing and try to evolve on offense as the season continues. If they can gradually meet higher benchmarks on offense, they can get where they want to go, which – realistically – is a New Year’s Six bowl game, a goal that is well within reach at this point.
1 – THE BASICS
We are going to keep mentioning this in any remaining game LSU is clearly expected to win. This is a game LSU is clearly expected to win. So, without need for any additional explanation, LSU needs to continue to limit big mistakes.
2 – CONTAIN BROKEN PLAYS
The physical advantage enjoyed by LSU’s defense against the Ole Miss offense is pronounced. Therefore, LSU should be able to structurally bottle up the Rebels and take away the things coach Matt Luke wants to do. Wiping out the initial reads or the preferred passing targets should lie well within LSU’s capabilities. The potentially thorny aspect of this game could emerge when plays break down but LSU isn’t immediately able to sack Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. It is true that Ole Miss’s offense has not been that productive in recent weeks against Alabama and Kent State, but we often see offenses muddle through September and then begin to perform better when the calendar turns to October. LSU has to be ready to expect an improved performance from Ole Miss, which involves the need to demonstrate containment and not allow improvised plays to become a big source of production for the Rebels’ offense. It is true that a lot of plays start out in ways which favor the defense, only for the offense to improbably succeed. That is not a sustainable form of offense, which might make this game key seem overdone or overemphasized, but if a handful of big plays come at the wrong times – on third and longs or in red-zone situations – the calculus of this game can turn. It is not likely, but it is where the LSU defense must change its focus… and maintain its focus.
3 – THINK DOWN THE LINE
The LSU offense is a work in progress. Coordinator Steve Ensminger showed great creativity in the first quarter against Auburn with the ways he changed personnel groupings. That mixture had the benefit of making Auburn’s defense uncertain, but it also gave future opponents more to consider on film. That act of mixing things up could carry benefits down the line against elite opponents. LSU has to complicate life for its foes.
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