It’s hard to believe that it’s already been two months since the college football world was starving for the smallest nuggets of fall camp news as the season approached. Suddenly, LSU has played five games while suffering one loss and garnering mixed reactions from its wins. The Tigers’ conveniently have a bye week before a brutal SEC stretch presents a good time to analyze what we’ve seen to this point. What have we learned about LSU?
What We Know About LSU
Defensive Development
Most reservations surrounding the ceiling of this LSU team centered around the defense. Although it might not seem like it to the die-hard Tiger fan, this is an improved defense that continues to evolve. Blake Baker’s group is currently 54th in scoring defense, which admittedly isn’t where the Tigers want to be long-term. To be fair, it is significantly better than LSU’s 82nd-ranked scoring defense of 2023.
The State of LSU’s defense is even more encouraging considering the injuries it’s overcome at such critical positions. Jacobian Guillory was the clear leader and only familiar face in a defensive tackle group that was considered a liability going into the season. Despite the ambiguity surrounding his best position, Harold Perkins was regarded as the most dynamic and irreplaceable defender. Both are now lost to season-ending injuries, yet the Tiger defense continues to build off its prior performances.
Bradyn Swinson has gone from flashing speed off the edge to dominating as a pass rusher. Sai’vion Jones has looked more like the sophomore version of himself that was destined for the NFL than the junior who was running in quicksand. Jones already has more tackles for loss after five games than he had in the entire 2023 season. The dominance of the ends paired with the surprising reliability of newcomer tackles like Ahmad Breaux and Jay’viar Suggs has given the Tigers an unexpected lift up front. Pegged as a contributor before the season, Dominick McKinley is now healthy. His addition will only make this unit stronger.
Optimizing the Offense
As expected, the LSU offense has been solid to this point. Garrett Nussmeier and the nation’s sixth-best passing offense has given the Tigers a chance to win each week. Perhaps the unexpected variable in this equation has been the emergence of Nussmeier’s top target, Aaron Anderson. The New Orleans native and former Alabama transfer leads the team in receptions and yards, but he’s also proven to be adept at more than screens and quick passes to get him in space.
Of course, Kyren Lacy is the focal point of the passing game, but the attention he commands has created opportunities for Anderson, CJ Daniels, and Kyle Parker. Zavion Thomas rounds out the group as a valuable wide receiver and versatile all-around weapon. The offense has almost lived up to expectations, besides one glaring weakness.
The Tiger rushing offense ranks 15th in the SEC, only above league powerhouse Mississippi State. The Tigers didn’t have a back to go over 61 yards in its first two games. However, true freshman Caden Durham burst onto the scene and very likely saved the game at South Carolina. Durham continued to make explosive plays last week, scoring on LSU’s first play from scrimmage against South Alabama. It’s safe to say Brian Kelly has found is top running back, regardless of where he’s listed on the depth chart.
Are the Goals Realistic?
As the transfer portal affects the depth of teams formerly stacked three-deep with blue-chip recruits, this sport finds itself with a refreshing measure of parity across the country. Sure, the Tigers are preparing to play a seven-game stretch against SEC opponents, but Ole Miss lost to Kentucky at home. Texas A&M beat Bowling Green by six points. Alabama…well, at least they looked like humans in the second half against Georgia, but the point is there are no unbeatable teams on LSU’s schedule. Neither wins nor losses will come as a complete shock as the season plays out.
Even after losing to USC, LSU’s playoff goals are still attainable. The intrigue comes with how the staff approaches the development of this team, particularly from a personnel perspective. Kelly has reiterated the need to shorten the rotation in the secondary. Which safeties will receive the bulk of the snaps? Will Kaleb Jackson maintain a role in the backfield as Durham steps to the forefront? Can the return of Chris Hilton’s deep speed create even more opportunities underneath for Anderson and Mason Taylor?
Considering the likelihood that the offense gains more balance and the certainty that the young defenders gain experience, we haven’t seen the best of this team. The challenge for LSU is that every team left on its schedule also has room to grow. The beauty of the schedule lies in the talent level of each opponent coexisting with their flaws. The most obvious lesson that we’ve learned about LSU is there’ll be more highs, lows, and nail-biting finishes.
