By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – There isn’t a more imbalanced football offense in the SEC than LSU.
The 14th-ranked Tigers (6-2 overall, 3-1 SEC) average 217.5 yards more passing than rushing, easily the largest disparity in the league, as they head into Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. Tiger Stadium SEC showdown vs. No. 11 Alabama (6-2, 3-2 SEC).
The fact LSU head coach Brian Kelly was still answering questions on Monday at his weekly in-season press conference heading into the ninth game of the season doesn’t bode well for the 2½-point underdog Tigers.
In a 38-23 loss at Texas A&M two Saturdays ago, Kelly got an eyeful of what it looks like when normally reliable LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier implodes under the weight of trying to carry his team to victory while being saddled by an anemic running game.
Despite passing for 405 yards and two TDs, he threw three interceptions in the second half when the Tigers gained no rushing yards on 12 attempts. LSU finished with 23 rushing yards on 24 attempts, 22 of those yards on 5 attempts in the first quarter.
For the season, LSU hasn’t even cracked 1,000 rushing yards. The Tigers have rushed for 922 yards. There are 11 running backs in the FBS who individually have more rushing yards than LSU’s team total.
“Garrett can’t be the guy that feels like he’s got to go do everything,” Kelly said. “And part of it has to come from Garrett to understand that one, ‘I don’t have to make a play every time I’m out there.’ Zero is okay, right?
“So, a little bit comes from Garrett, and a little bit comes from play calling, the ability to commit to making sure that we have some more balance in terms of the running game.
“That means we got to block better. And I don’t mean just the five guys (on the line of scrimmage). I also mean the receivers, the tight ends. The running backs got to do a better job of seeing things, getting to the second level (of a defense) and making people miss.”
One of the biggest problems is LSU’s running back depth.
It has taken hits, starting when sixth-year senior John Emery Jr. sustained a season-ending knee injury in practice in the first week of September.
Also, freshman redshirt Trey Holly is still suspended indefinitely after he was arrested for attempted second-degree murder last Feb. 9. The grand jury opted to indict him only on illegal use of a weapon and aggravated criminal damage to property. Holly’s next hearing is December 18 at the Union Parish Courthouse.
Kelly moved true freshman defensive back Ju’Juan Johnson, Louisiana’s Mr. Football in 2023 for Lafayette Christian Academy, to running back as the fourth man in the rotation behind true freshman Caden Durham, graduate student Josh Williams and sophomore Kaleb Jackson.
Durham has emerged as the best overall back with 397 rushing yards and 6 TDs on 73 carries as well as 14 catches for 204 receiving yards and 2 TDs.
The elephant in the room is Nussmeier’s reluctance to run on a QB keeper in run-pass option plays or even on scrambles.
Last season, admittedly more athletic QB and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels accounted for 42.6 percent of LSU’s rushing yardage (1,134 of 2,659) and 47.6 percent of the Tigers’ rushing TDs (10 of 11).
This year, Nussmeier has 13 rushing yards on 13 attempts and 3 TDs. He briefly flashed running skills at A&M on a clutch fourth-quarter 14-yard scramble on a 3rd and 13 situation from the LSU 12. The Tigers ended up getting a field goal.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
No. 14 LSU (6-2 overall, 3-1 in SEC) vs. No. 11 Alabama (6-2, 3-2 SEC), Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (ABC)
Last game for Alabama: Won at home 34-0 over then-No. 21 Missouri on Oct. 26., Alabama QB Jalen Milroe was 16-of-26 passing for 215 yards and also ran for 50 yards and 2 TDs. The Crimson Tide defense had 3 interceptions.
Series record with LSU and last meeting: Alabama leads the series 56-27-5. Last season in Tuscaloosa, Alabama won 42-28 with Milroe rushing for 155 yards and 4 touchdowns and passing for 219 yards.
Alabama head coach: Kalen DeBoer (110-14 in 10 seasons, 6-2 in first season at Alabama).
THIS AND THAT
Early betting line: Alabama favored by 2½ points
Number of Louisiana natives on Alabama roster: 2
Number of Alabama natives on LSU roster: 0
Number of transfers on Alabama roster from 4-year schools: 14 players from 11 schools including 11 players from 8 Power 4 Conference schools
ALABAMA PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Jalen Milroe (137 of 203 for 1,937 passing yards, 13 TDs, 6 interceptions and 380 rushing yards and 12 TDs on 102 carries), RB Jamarion Miller (450 rushing yards and 7 TDs on 74 carries), WR Ryan Williams (35 catches for 702 receiving yards, 7 TDs, S Malachi Moore, (46 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 PBU, 2 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles), PK Graham Nicholson 37 of 37 PAT, 4 of 6 FG, P James Burnip (37 punts for 46.43 yards per punt, 3 touchbacks, 20 fair catches, 13 inside the 20-yard line, 15 punts of 50 yards or more.
THREE AND OUT
1. Who has won the most games in his first season as Alabama’s head coach?
A. Frank Thomas
B. Gene Stallings
C. Red Drew
D. Bear Bryant
2. How many Alabama players have been the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft?
A. 7
B. 5
C. 2
D. 10
3. What song by the 70s rock band Steely Dan includes the lyric “They Call Alabama the Crimson Tide”?
A. Reelin’ in the Years
B. My Old School
C. Do It Again
D. Deacon Blues
ANSWERS: 1. A, 2. C, 3. D
Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com