Mixed Bag

There was plenty to cheer about Saturday night. There was also plenty to groan about.

The Tiger defense seems to be jelling just in time for two HUGE SEC battles. LSU is ranked #2 in the nation in run defense and #8 in sacks per game. The Tiger defense recorded 6 sacks and 7 QB hurries against Vanderbilt’s highly ranked offense (#2 in the SEC). The defense also scored 9 points this week with a safety and fumble return for a touchdown. Ronnie Prude played a great game deflecting a number of deep passes in man coverage. The defensive line has come alive the last two weeks hounding MSU’s Omar Connor and Vandy’s, Jay Cutler. If this effort continues, LSU fans will be asking, “Nick who?” rather than dreaming wistfully of blitzes past.

The offense continued to struggle, finally coming alive at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Russell gets a pat on the back for putting up some nice numbers this season, but his game management skills may end up killing us. Of LSU’s 10 turnovers this season, Russell accounts for half of them. Not to mention the poor play at the end of the first half of the Tennessee game that cost LSU a FG. He’s not the only one with problems. After watching LSU’s terrible tandem of tight ends, I realize why they are rarely utilized. Jones and Zinger bumbled their way through this game without a clue. Zinger’s play is especially exasperating. He can make nice plays, but he has a nasty habit of committing false starts and he dropped a sure TD against the Commodores.

Against Vanderbilt, the Tigers committed 6 offensive penalties, turned the ball over 4 times, missed 2 FG’s, dropped an easy TD pass and had a TD called back because of a penalty. Does anyone really think LSU can play that poorly and beat Florida, Auburn or Alabama? Mirroring the ASU game, the Tigers came out against Vandy and scored a touchdown after a nice drive 2 ½ minutes into the game. But then went 45 minutes without scoring another TD. I am sure this loss of focus and attention to detail infuriates the coaching staff and fans alike and will kill LSU in the upcoming big games if it continues. The Tigers must get mentally tougher if they are to make it to Atlanta.

As you could notice from my Top 10 column on the right, I don’t have the Tigers ranked. The Tigers have shown me nothing, at least on offense, which convinces me that they could beat anyone of the listed teams on a neutral field. LSU’s habit of sloppy play would doom them against a true quality opponent. The four teams LSU has played this year are a very mediocre 12-11, while the win at Arizona State looks less impressive every week.

While the loser of this week’s LSU v. Florida game is not out of the running for the SEC Championship Game, they will be squarely behind the 8-ball. Florida is 5-1 but the only big win was over Tennessee. The ugly loss to Alabama was followed by a lackluster home game against MSU this past week. The Florida running game has struggled and I look for that to continue this weekend. LSU will try to take advantage of Florida’s offensive line and get after Leak as they have Connor and Cutler. The difference in the game will be whether LSU can eliminate errors. Penalties and turnovers will pave the way for another Gator victory in Tiger Stadium. Miles and company better bring their A-game to the sidelines to keep the faithful happy. Another coaching meltdown will turn the fans against him for the remainder of the season.

The Tigers haven’t beaten the Gators at home since 1997, but I think they get it done in a low scoring game marked by a handful of critical plays.

LSU 24 – Florida 16