Time for a Change?

Please raise your hand if you have had about enough of Jordan Jefferson. The junior signal caller played his worst game in a Tiger uniform going 8 for 20 with only 96 yards and one INT. His QB rating for the game was an atrocious 70.32. By comparison, Auburn’s Cameron Newton rated out at 142.23 in his most recent game at MSU on Thursday night. Jefferson also ran the ball 13 times for a grand total of 13 yards. Jefferson was directly involved in 33 plays with a per play average of 3.3 yards. Garbage. I was in Jefferson’s camp and believed that this would be a break out season for him. While he played well versus UNC, he was abysmal this Saturday against the worst team in the SEC.

So what happens now? I hope Jefferson bounces back with a very good game against MSU. But I think Lee deserves a drive or two each half this weekend. You have to wonder about the level of confidence in Jefferson inside the LSU camp amongst coaches and players. LSU’s offensive line is playing better this season in pass protection and run blocking. Yet LSU is still ranked 107th in the nation is passing offense. Jefferson has had ample opportunity to make plays and hasn’t excelled, as you would expect from a player with his experience.

The defense is nasty. The Tigers are #2 nationally in sacks, #4 in tackles for loss and #4 in rushing defense giving up a paltry 44 yards a game on the ground. Through two games, the Tigers are only allowing opponents to convert on 20% of third down conversions. Drake Nevis has been a beast in the middle. IF the linebacker corps matures and the secondary rounds into shape, this looks to be a championship caliber defense.

A few other observations:

* What’s up with Michael Ford? He only got in the game at garbage time while true freshman Alfred Blue got a number of meaningful carries.

* Miles takes a lot of criticism but give him credit for sticking to his guns regarding the team’s offensive identity. LSU ran the ball 50 times for 280 yards. LSU ran a lot of two tight end sets looking to establish the ground game.

* LSU is averaging 5.17 yards a carry this season. Take out Jefferson’s 23 attempts and it moves to 6.73.

* Why are we still running the option?

LSU v.MSU

LSU gets State in the home opener this Saturday. The Bulldogs let a number of opportunities get away in their 17-14 loss to Auburn last week. MSU looked pedestrian on offense racking up only 117 rushing yards and 129 yards passing. I expect the game to be close in the first half with the Tigers pulling away late in the third quarter. I have it on a fairly reliable source that Lee will get an opportunity to play some meaningful snaps on Saturday. Let’s hope he comes out sharp and pushes for more playing time.

LSU 27 – MSU 13