The LSU Tigers split their last two games, just as everyone expected… but of course, few expected them to lose to Florida and then beat Georgia. The Tigers are now in excellent position to get a New Year’s Six bowl, and they will have a shot to win the whole enchilada – the SEC West, the SEC itself, and a playoff berth with a path to the national title – if they can beat Alabama in November.
By Matt Zemek
With one small detail added to the mix: Oh yeah, they have to beat Mississippi State first.
Tiger Stadium will be jumping to cheer on Ed Orgeron’s team, which has clearly and substantially exceeded preseason expectations and quieted most of the doubts which accompanied the arrival of the new season. The offense might not post sexy passing numbers, but the running game continues to pry open big plays against defenses which load the tackle box. The LSU offensive line has been admirably good, far better than most people feared. It quickly shoved away the disappointing showing against Florida and stood tall against Georgia this past weekend. LSU didn’t sit on its 19-3 lead, either. The Tigers kept pushing and probing for big plays in the fourth quarter… and found them. This is how a team gains confidence and sees itself as capable of greatness on a supremely large scale.
Now comes the time to sustain what last weekend established.
1 – CONTAINMENT
The Tigers rattled Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm, but Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald is a run-first quarterback who plays the game very differently when compared to Fromm. After a Week 7 in which LSU had to guard against the pass, Week 8 features an offense in which a running quarterback is the foremost concern. Mississippi State will want to establish the run and then see if it can hit big plays by getting LSU out of position. It is highly unlikely that MSU can pass first and open up the run game later. Fitzgerald doesn’t throw well enough to put pressure on LSU’s secondary as a downfield passer. LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, the rock star on this coaching staff, should be able to feast on an imbalanced and limited MSU offense. Not letting Fitzgerald bust loose for big runs is this team’s No. 1 priority.
2 – SWEEPING ADJUSTMENTS
The Joe Burrow run late in the Georgia game fooled one bunch of Bulldogs. Will the Mississippi State Bulldogs also fear the Burrow bootleg? LSU surely realizes that with an effective power running game, QB keepers outside the tackle box can become that much more devastatingly effective. Mississippi State might very reasonably anticipate slow-developing power running plays or quarterback keepers on play action. If LSU runs the ball well and gets into second down and short, you might see Burrow try to throw over the top. However, a play which might work well in this game is the fly sweep. A handoff to a motioned receiver could hit MSU with a quick jab, creating more uncertainty for this group of Bulldogs.
3 – SOBRIETY
The night crowd in Tiger Stadium might not be sober, but the Tigers need to be. No letdown after Georgia. No getting fat, drunk and happy. Stay focused and formidable. Finish.
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