Considering the new norm of hot takes, declarative blanket statements are now standard. It’s easy to believe that at a certain point a team “is what it is”. This is a common but misguided idea. In reality, every team has different pieces and evolves at different rates. The Tigers have well-established shortcomings but still have room to grow. The big question is how can LSU improve in their most critical stretch of the season.
How Can LSU Improve?
Running the Football
LSU ran for 158 yards against Arkansas, which is enough for a functional offense. It looked as though the Tigers had turned the corner until Texas A&M knocked the offensive line back to reality last week. LSU won’t run as successfully as the Stone Age offenses of its Les Miles days, but how can it be good enough to keep defenses honest?
First, the offensive play calling must play to the strengths of the personnel. The offensive staff chose to run between the tackles at the weakest point of their offensive line into the teeth of the A&M defense. The Tigers could potentially have more success running on the edges where the more talented prospects play on the line. Stretch plays, sweeps, counters, and more are all on the table. Inside zone plays against future NFL defensive tackles probably shouldn’t happen often.
The lack of commitment to the run is another issue. The Tiger offense is 126th in the country in rushing attempts with 28 per game. Against A&M, LSU asked its offensive linemen to move backward on passing plays over 50 times and move forward only 24 times. It takes a different mentality to move the line of scrimmage that comes with frequency. Running regularly creates a comfort level for linemen and rhythm for running backs. This team isn’t built to have a 50:50 run-to-pass ratio, but it can run often enough to keep defensive ends from pinning their ears back and rushing.
Going Deep
LSU is sixth in the country in passing offense. That’s impressive, but the Tigers are only 54th in yards per completion. Consequently, the offense is routinely asked to complete short passes down the field for touchdowns. This is next to impossible and contributes to LSU’s subpar red zone offense.
The Tigers’ one-dimensional offense is one factor that cuts into the opportunities for shots downfield. A more effective run game would force more single-high safety looks as well as make play-action more impactful. We’ll see LSU improve its downfield passing as the running game provides better looks. As it stands, there’s no reason to bring a safety into the box when defending the LSU offense.
The return of Chris Hilton will help LSU stretch the field, but Joe Sloan should dial up occasional shots even if he doesn’t have the most ideal deep threats in the game. Similar to the run game, sometimes certain plays have to be called just to let the defense know it’s a possibility. Predictability benefits the defense.
Defending Mobile Quarterbacks
This is more of a “prisoner of the moment” issue than a legitimate problem for LSU. Sure, Marcel Reed toyed with the LSU defense like the kid who got held back twice at recess. But that was the product of a perfect storm of momentum, field position, and a lack of composure.
Reed was the first quarterback to have significant success running against the LSU defense since Lanorris Sellers of South Carolina. There isn’t much that the Tigers need to change schematically before facing Jalen Milroe of Alabama. The bye week is a perfect time to stress fundamentals and play as a unit. Regardless of the score, each individual must focus on his responsibility only. If the Tigers get back to assignment-sound football, then the Tiger defense will get back to an upward trajectory.
