Title Hopes on Hold

Football can be a funny game. One day you are 5-0, ranked 6th in the country and folks are using your name in the same sentence with National Champion. The next day you are ranked third in your division and you have serious question marks for the rest of the season.

LSU stunk Saturday afternoon. The defense blew assignments and the offense was completely inept. One had to figure LSU would lay an egg this season, but not against the Gators. This is the same team which has beaten LSU 14 out that last 16 meetings. The same team that once beat LSU 58-3 in Tiger Stadium. The same team that Nick Saban now stands 1-3 against.

LSU has a laundry list of offensive problems:

- Matt Mauck looked terrible. He was 19 of 33, but only for a little over 200 yards. He was not sharp and took a few sacks when he could have thrown the ball away. He still refuses to throw downfield and give the LSU receivers a chance to make big plays. Chris Leak looked like the experienced veteran while Mauck looked like a lost freshman.

- The offensive line cannot run block. Pass protection was pretty good. But after six games, LSU does not have a consistent running game.

- Shyrone Carey is LSU’s best running back. Addai would do well on a power running team, but he’s not one to “make something out of nothing.” LSU needs to get Carey back in there pronto. Looking long term, LSU needs to recruit another top RB. Justin Vincent is no great shakes either.

- With a lack of execution, it is tough to accurately evaluate the play calling. We didn’t run any inside hand offs out of the gun and I don’t know if we have run ONE draw play the entire season. I don’t think you can expect the throw a bunch of 4 yard passes and hope they turn into TD’s. I think this is more a function of Mauck’s ineffectiveness rather than the actual play calling.

For the most part, the defense played well. There were breakdowns which can be attributed to Jack Hunt being out and good play selection by Florida. The two TD’s were off similar plays. The running back would delay then sneak out of the backfield and get open over the middle. Georgia would have scored a few weeks ago on a similar play had Lavalais not knocked the pass down on a great individual effort.

Where does LSU go from here? The Tigers will bounce back, but I don’t know if the offensive problems are easily correctable. The O-Line must improve and Matt Mauck must get better. I even thought the staff might throw Randall in the game to provide a spark. Randall has his shortcomings, but at least he is not afraid to throw downfield.

LSU is at South Carolina next weekend. The Gamecocks are lead by Dondrial Penkins at quarterback. Daccus Turman and Demetrius Summers form a running back by committee. South Carolina is solid on defense and will play to stop the run. Unless Mauck learns to throw deep and follow his progressions, the Tigers could be in for a long night. LSU’s defense is still nasty and will keep the Tigers close. But I think LSU’s woes will continue.

LSU 16 – USC 18.