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September 12, 2010

LSU - Vanderbilt: What did we learn?

Someone who had not watched the LSU-Vanderbilt game might look at the 27-3 score and surmise that all is well with the LSU Tigers and I suppose that there is something to that old adage: "all's well that ends well."  But the Tigers are just not quite there, yet.  Clearly, LSU's Tigers have the ability to dominate any team in the country but these first two games were sort of like watching a cat play with a mouse when you are not sure whether the mouse is going to get away or not.  Actually, in the first and third quarter of the Vanderbilt game both offenses kind of looked like mouses but definitely, LSU's defense is a big cat.

LSU's defensive line is dominate.  Drake Nevis registered 2 1/2 more sacks. Also Josh Downs, Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, and Michael Brockers played outstanding.  That is a pleasant surprise.  Before the season began, it looked like LSU would have to lean mostly on its defensive backs.  Vanderbilt only gained 65 yards rushing and only 70 yards passing, only converted 2 of 13 third down conversions.  There are only two things that would make this defense complete: 1. Regular interceptions - LSU has not intercepted the ball once in the first two games, and 2. preventing big third quarter plays.  If LSU's defense prevented Warren Norman's 51 yard run in the third quarter, LSU's defense would have given up only 14 yards rushing this week and would have shutout Vanderbilt.  When the defense only allows your opponent 3 points total, you have to be happy. So on defense we learned that LSU has very little room for improvement.  Fine tune the pass defense and come out disciplined and ready to play in the third quarter and it may not matter what LSU decides to do on offense.

On offense, the Vanderbilt game confirmed that LSU needs a competent quarterback and so far, that has not been Jordan Jefferson.  Jefferson was 8/20 for 96yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception.  I know Jarrett Lee has a proven record as an interception machine but, why did it take so long to put him in the game? He could not do much worse than Jefferson did in the first or third quarters.  On the flip side, LSU has found a running game.  All the disappointment that I had about Ridley's two fumbles against North Carolina were erase on his 65 yard run against Vandy.  Ridley protected the ball in this game also.  I am sad to say that Richard Murphy has not earned the amount of playing time he is getting.  I was surprised to see Alfred Blue getting so many touches and elated to see Blue score a touchdown.  Michael Ford and Spencer Ware ought to be getting those carries. But, Spencer did get a nice reception for over twenty yards and carried the ball once for 8 yards.  And Ford got three carries and gained 5, 9, and 2 yards. With those averages, you could hand the ball to those two all night and never have to worry about a third down again.  I know that no back is likely to maintain that kind of average and entire game but, there is a case to made for getting those two the ball earlier in the game.  If true freshman Alfred Blue can get touches earlier in the game, why not true freshman Ware and redshirt freshman Ford.  Don't tell me that it is because they have to learn blocking schemes.  I will simply suggest that you check on the records of South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore, or Alabama's Trent Richardson, or Texas A&M's Christine Michael, or - well you get the picture.  So what the Vanderbilt game taught us on offense is that Jordan Jefferson is still not ready to be the full time starter, we still need to get the ball more to our "all star receiving corps", and we have a running game, if we are committed to a "running back by committee" approach.

I watched the Auburn-Mississippi State game and both teams are going to be a challenge for LSU but I think LSU has far more talent than either team. Mississippi State actually has a fairly good defense this year.  I will have something on the Mississippi State game later this week.  LSU faithful - hang in there.  We have a team.  LSU is much better than their ranking.   

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

LSU is better then last year,only Jefferson, is holding them back now.
I hope Lee, is indeed a improvement, because he looks to be our only hope.
We are home now,and the LSU fans in tiger stadium is waiting to see if Lee can spark that fire...LSU has better RB,WR,better blocking,and a much better defense,better team.
Can QB Lee do it for us?

Anonymous said...

Can we really see a life time from a single moment?
That one pass,that Lee threw for his first completion this year,showed me what I have been looking for,for a long time,a forward pass that was dead on the money...I saw LSU future, in that one pass.
This LSU football team is good,so if this team can play a good QB,they have a chance at being great.

Anonymous said...

You can have Miles,I read where Jefferson is going to start the Miss State game,even after playing so poorly in this last game.
Lee will see very little playing time.
No wonder that half of the LSU fans are unhappy!
Les Miles is stupid.

Texas Tiger said...

I wish LSU had a competent quarterback. This team is developing into a really good one with the exception of QB. I am totally disgusted with JJ, but I am not convinced Jarrett Lee is our answer, although he is the only answer we have. After the way JJ played Saturday, I think Lee deserves a chance to show what he's got. Could he be worse than JJ? The verdict is still out on that one.

At least, we do have a running game ... and that's an under statement. The offensive talent is there, just give us some good quarterback play ... PLEASE!

Gotta love the defense Chavis has put together! WOW! This is one exciting defense.

Anonymous said...

Jarret Lee,we want Lee,Lee,
We want a spark,
We want Lee,Lee,Jarret Lee.

Anonymous said...

Help!
Will Jarret Lee start the Miss State game?
Les Miles said:"I can only tell you that it's a game feel."
God Bless LSU,and God bless America.

Anonymous said...

I am worried about the LSU football fans now.
They do not deserve a head coach pulling their chain,this way. To baby sit a QB ,who just can not seem to catch on.
Holding back, a entire talented LSU football team so,"Jefferson can start having fun."
Are you kidding me?

Anonymous said...

"Clearly, LSU's Tigers have the ability to dominate any team in the country..." I'm sorry, but what planet do you live on? I only wish it were so.

Anonymous said...

Some people can have a glass three-fourths full and still think it is empty. Great D, Great Running game, great special teams, missing a solid passing game. You beat an SEC team 27-3. So it takes you until the fourth quarter to pull away and you gain a number of your running yards in the fourth. Hey guys the fourth quarter counts. If we blew the fourth you "glass always empty" guys would certainly moan and grouse about it. If you thrive on losers, look for another team to worry about.

Anonymous said...

Right on - Too Lame is available!

Anonymous said...

You might try becoming a Virginia Tech fan. They have a lot to worry about.

Anonymous said...

What is wrong with Bob's Sports!
The day of the Miss State game, and Bob has been missing for a week?

Anonymous said...

It is grown hog day!

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