BATON ROUGE – LSU did what it was supposed to do Saturday night in Tiger Stadium against a vastly overmatched Southland Conference opponent.
It dominated Southeastern Louisiana, which was happy to collect a $750,000 guarantee for a 96-mile round-trip bus ride.
If you’re going to get hammered 56-10, at least make it financially worth your while (virtually no travel expenses) and convenient.
What did the 4-0 Tigers glean from the glorified scrimmage?
Defensively, it learned that it has a group of veteran headhunters who approach every opponent with equal respect, preparation, and effort.
LSU’s starting defense played the first seven series of the game (exiting after the first SLU series in the third quarter). It held the Lions to no points and 51 yards, including just five rushing yards.
“This was a big day for them,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said of his defense. “They knew they could let their guard down, and if they did, it would be seen. They did not. They were mature about the way they practiced this week. And you can see it on the field.”
The Tigers were minus linebacker West Weeks, who sat out mending an ankle injury.
But younger brother Whit Weeks, free from last week’s almost game-long suspension vs. Florida for targeting, was back flying all over the field.
“I’m excited about the way we played,” Whit said. “I’m excited with the way Coach (Blake) Baker dialed us up.”
Baker, in his second season as defensive coordinator, is giddy that the massive transfer portal acquisitions LSU acquired in the off-season have allowed him to open his entire playbook of schemes, blitzes, and deception.
He now has a disruptive D-line connected through playmaking linebackers to a secondary full of swaggy ballers who rarely are out of position and don’t miss tackles.
Because last season Baker’s defense had nowhere near the talent level of this year’s group. It limited his playcalling.
What’s unfortunate for the Tigers is that the progression of their defense from last season is matched by a stunning, unexpected offensive regression.
LSU dropped from No. 3 to No. 4 in both the AP and Coaches polls on Sunday after its 46-point win. While the polls are no big deal, the Tigers in reality should be ranked around No. 10.
Why?
Because while their offense rolled up 530 yards against the Lions, there are still numerous concerns, especially with SEC offensive juggernauts (Ole Miss, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M and Alabama) dead ahead on LSU’s schedule.
Starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s “mystery” upper torso injury, revealed last Monday by Kelly, has resulted in conservative playcalling by offensive coordinator Joe Sloan.
Nussmeier completed 25 of 31 (with at least three dropped passes) for 273 yards and three TDs in his seven possessions against SLU.
“I’m not gonna answer any questions on the torso or the injury or anything like that right now,” said Nussmeier, who matured into the cliché-riddled veteran hellbent on not providing remotely insightful answers to any questions he’s asked. “It was a big night for us, just building the chemistry.”
Which is worrisome. Because one-fourth through a 12-game regular season, LSU’s offense is still trying to build chemistry.
It has an offensive line that couldn’t even dominate a Football Championship Subdivision defensive line to establish a viable run game. And even though Kelly and Nussmeier claim the QB1 injury is healing, he still can’t rip the ball deep downfield.
LSU’s lack of big-play ability might be revealed this Saturday at Ole Miss or in the coming weeks.
The Tigers have made 27 big plays – 16 runs of 10 yards or longer and 11 passes of 20 yards or more. Ole Miss has 50 big plays with 25 runs of 10 yards or longer and 25 passes of 20 yards or more.
Every remaining opponent on LSU’s schedule probably thinks the Tigers’ offense has been sandbagging.
It hasn’t.
And unless the offense gets substantially more explosive in a hurry, LSU’s defense will have to play out of its collective mind for the Tigers to earn a College Football Playoff berth.
Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com