Tuesday, September 21, 2010

LSU cruises by Mississippi State but trouble brews


LSU clobbered Mississippi State on Saturday in Death Valley 29-7, but looks are deceiving.
The Tigers' average starting field position was their 48-yard-line, meaning LSU would not pile up tons of yards but they gave up 152 yards on the ground.
True, the Bulldogs quarterback Chris Relf is a scrambler with shifty legs but it wasn't necessarily his ability to break tackles that led to MSU outgaining the Tigers in overall yardage. No, Mississippi State's O line created such gaping holes, the likes of which I haven't seen this season opposite the Tigers.
 MSU backup quarterback Tyler Russell moved the ball decently against the Tigers -- when he wasn't throwing directly to them. LSU had five interceptions but should have had at least 40 points, but a stout MSU made an accounting of themselves. Stevan Ridley continues to have a strong season, finishing the game with just shy of 80 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Jordan Jefferson is basically in timeout since he threw a bad interception in the end zone against Vanderbilt. Les Miles and Gary Crowton have told him to just run the dang ball, and check down to his third receiver. He's done that and in doing so he's become a game manager, which is safer but not as dynamic.

LSU also continues to leave points on the board, this time at least 14 points due to several reasons and misques.
Can they beat the Auburns and Tennessees and Floridas with this kind of smashmouth run game and a ferocious defense? No, but they can compete. 
LSU has yet to hit on all cylinders offensively in a game since the days of JaMarcus Russell. And that's a Saban recruit.

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