More of the Same<\/strong><\/h3>\nAfter a second-half collapse against Texas A&M, all the predictions surrounding the game revolved around LSU\u2019s ability to stop running quarterbacks. Alabama got the ball first and quickly gave a glimpse of how the game would play out. Jalen Milroe<\/a> was 3-3 passing on the first drive and finished it with a 39-yard rushing touchdown.<\/p>\nLSU finally found success running the ball, thanks to a 45-yard Caden Durham<\/a> run on its first possession. That run fueled excitement and hope that this game would bring a different outcome than the last<\/a>. Unfortunately, the Tigers would have to settle for a field goal after a Kyren Lacy<\/a> drop in the end zone. At 7-3, this is as close as LSU would get in this game.<\/p>\nThe Tigers failed to make Milroe uncomfortable as he went on to add another rushing touchdown in the first half. At the half, Milroe was 10-15 passing and had 98 yards rushing for two touchdowns. It was fairly obvious that the bye week didn\u2019t help LSU in its preparation for Alabama.<\/p>\n
The Collapse<\/strong><\/h3>\nAs bad as things looked for the Tigers in the first half, they got the ball first in the second half with a chance to make it a one-possession game. Down 21-6, Garrett Nussmeier<\/a> led LSU to one of its best drives of the night. The 14-play drive finally got Aaron Anderson<\/a> involved and lasted over six minutes. Nussmeier threw an interception on second and goal that killed LSU\u2019s momentum. The pick essentially ended the game in the second quarter.<\/p>\nThere\u2019s no shame in losing to Alabama, but the problem is how LSU lost. Milroe finished with 185 yards rushing. That\u2019s more than he had against Western Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina combined. Even more troubling, Milroe wasn\u2019t touched on several of the runs.<\/p>\n
Nussmeier averaged less than six yards per completion and threw two interceptions. The Tigers rushed for over four yards per carry but only ran 24 times. Zavion Thomas<\/a> averaged nine yards per carry but ran only twice. Nothing the Tigers did defensively worked. Not much worked offensively. Even when LSU had sequences of successful plays the offense couldn\u2019t finish drives.<\/p>\nWho\u2019s to Blame?<\/strong><\/h3>\nAlabama proved to be a true contender, and we\u2019ll give them credit for making a statement. However, there is no excuse to allow Milroe to average over 15 yards per carry when there was extra time to prepare for him. Sure, Milroe is a great player. But no team has given up that much yardage to him all year. LSU might not have Georgia\u2019s personnel, but Vanderbilt held Milroe to 10 rushing yards. The defensive game plan did nothing to slow him down.<\/p>\n
Offensively, 24 carries are not enough. Joe Sloan did a good job of using the motion and ball carriers<\/a> we’ve begged to see, but he did nothing to build off the successful plays. If an end-around works, there\u2019s no rule against running it again. One could even go crazy and play-action pass off the end around motion. Ju\u2019Juan Johnson had a successful run from a direct snap. More personnel and play variations helped LSU\u2019s struggling run game, but there has to be more of it.<\/p>\n
LSU finally found success running the ball, thanks to a 45-yard Caden Durham<\/a> run on its first possession. That run fueled excitement and hope that this game would bring a different outcome than the last<\/a>. Unfortunately, the Tigers would have to settle for a field goal after a Kyren Lacy<\/a> drop in the end zone. At 7-3, this is as close as LSU would get in this game.<\/p>\n The Tigers failed to make Milroe uncomfortable as he went on to add another rushing touchdown in the first half. At the half, Milroe was 10-15 passing and had 98 yards rushing for two touchdowns. It was fairly obvious that the bye week didn\u2019t help LSU in its preparation for Alabama.<\/p>\n As bad as things looked for the Tigers in the first half, they got the ball first in the second half with a chance to make it a one-possession game. Down 21-6, Garrett Nussmeier<\/a> led LSU to one of its best drives of the night. The 14-play drive finally got Aaron Anderson<\/a> involved and lasted over six minutes. Nussmeier threw an interception on second and goal that killed LSU\u2019s momentum. The pick essentially ended the game in the second quarter.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no shame in losing to Alabama, but the problem is how LSU lost. Milroe finished with 185 yards rushing. That\u2019s more than he had against Western Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina combined. Even more troubling, Milroe wasn\u2019t touched on several of the runs.<\/p>\n Nussmeier averaged less than six yards per completion and threw two interceptions. The Tigers rushed for over four yards per carry but only ran 24 times. Zavion Thomas<\/a> averaged nine yards per carry but ran only twice. Nothing the Tigers did defensively worked. Not much worked offensively. Even when LSU had sequences of successful plays the offense couldn\u2019t finish drives.<\/p>\n Alabama proved to be a true contender, and we\u2019ll give them credit for making a statement. However, there is no excuse to allow Milroe to average over 15 yards per carry when there was extra time to prepare for him. Sure, Milroe is a great player. But no team has given up that much yardage to him all year. LSU might not have Georgia\u2019s personnel, but Vanderbilt held Milroe to 10 rushing yards. The defensive game plan did nothing to slow him down.<\/p>\n Offensively, 24 carries are not enough. Joe Sloan did a good job of using the motion and ball carriers<\/a> we’ve begged to see, but he did nothing to build off the successful plays. If an end-around works, there\u2019s no rule against running it again. One could even go crazy and play-action pass off the end around motion. Ju\u2019Juan Johnson had a successful run from a direct snap. More personnel and play variations helped LSU\u2019s struggling run game, but there has to be more of it.<\/p>\nThe Collapse<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Who\u2019s to Blame?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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