Gators Grind out Victory

Truth be told, the game was kind of boring. The #1 Gators ground out a 13-3 victory over an offensively challenged LSU squad. Florida held the ball for over 36 minutes and LSU’s offense generated only one scoring drive all night. As with most loses, there is plenty to discuss.

*On the positive side, the defense held UF to 13 points. That’s the lowest point total under Meyer since 2005 when the Gators lost 31-3 to Alabama. LSU also held Florida to 200 yards below their season average.

*Unfortunately, the defense killed itself with penalties. LSU was flagged five times for offside’s. (Evidently, UF’s center was simulating the snap of the ball drawing off the LSU players and the officials didn’t catch it until the second half) Throw in two facemask penalties, one of those against Tebow early in the 3rd quarter, and you have LSU giving UF multiple second chances.

*Speaking of cheating, the Gator’s only TD came after a CLEAR holding penalty by UF’s Riley Cooper that wasn’t called. Replays show Hawkins jersey being pulled by Cooper.

*I knocked Kelvin Sheppard a few weeks ago but he has really come around. He leads the team in tackles and ranks 10th in the SEC in that category. He’s playing very well right now.

*For the season, LSU is ranked 14th in scoring defense giving up a measly 14.5 points a game. Chavis has really turned this group around. Last year, the Tigers gave up a combined 103 points to Georgia and Florida; this year a grand total of 26.

*LSU’s offense is terrible. The Tigers are ranked #88 in rushing, #103 in passing and #109 in total offense. I’m not saying anyone needs to get run out of town, but those numbers are pathetic for a team with this much talent.

*LSU is 6 for 23 on third down conversions the last two games. You really have to question some of the play calling this week. LSU had 3rd and goal from the 2 yard line and ran off tackle and got stuffed. Miles then elected to kick a FG. That was a big turning point because a TD would have put pressure on Florida to respond. I don’t believe the Gators have trailed all season. Plus the fans would have gotten back into the game as well. Play action would have worked beautifully there getting Jefferson out on the corner with a run/pass option. Our blocking has been terrible all season, why do you think we could make that play work against UF’s fantastic D-line? That was a bull headed call and really hurt LSU in what turned out to be a VERY tight game.

*Speaking of the offensive line, that group is worthless. I am sure they are good and fine men trying their best, but that unit is just atrocious. The Tigers have no ground game and Jefferson is repeatedly under heavy pressure. At one point Saturday, Florida rushed 3 men versus our 5 blockers, Jefferson ended up getting sacked.

*I’m not going to beat up on Jefferson too much. He has not developed as fans had hoped as the season has evolved. He doesn’t go through his progressions and his pocket presence leaves much to be desired. He’s not going to win games for you, but he won’t throw them away either. Fans forget how tough it is on QB’s in this league. The last underclassman QB to lead his team to the SEC title was Georgia’s David Greene back in 2002. It’s tough for underclassmen QB’s just to get to Atlanta. In the last five years, only Arkansas’ Casey Dick, in his sophomore season in 2006, was able to win a division title.

*After 6 weeks there are a few plays we can discard. Get rid of the option. Jefferson looks uncomfortable running it and he’s not very good at it. Get rid of five wide as well. LSU’s offensive line is so poor; the Tigers need more blockers, not less. Get rid of Holliday as a part of the offense as well. LSU needs to focus on doing a few things well, and for all of Holliday’s speed, he’s not going to make anything happen on this team.

*LSU’s offensive staff needs to figure out what they want to be. Is this a team that runs out of the I-formation and relies on the play action pass? Or is LSU a spread team that is going to go five wide and run the read option QB play? Whatever it is, the Tigers need to focus on one thing and learn to do it well.

*My thought? If I had to guess, Les Miles wants LSU to run out of the 'I' and be a power running team. LSU could embrace this philosophy and work from there. Jefferson is not a naturally gifted runner which is key to running the spread. He would be more effective running a few different things with greater pass protection. Part of the problem with this is Gary Crowton, the offensive coordinator and Greg Studrawa are both spread offense guys. It will be interesting to see how Miles and Co. get this going in the right direction.

*One of the big questions coming into this season was whether the 2008 campaign was an aberration or a sign of more to come. Given how this year has progressed, it seems that LSU is back to its winning ways competing for SEC titles. There is plenty of football left this season so a full assessment can’t be made. But I think it is clear that the program is in great shape. While this 2009 LSU team has flaws, the LSU football program is on a solid foundation.