Survive and Advance

Before everyone freaks out, let's try and keep this game in perspective. A little history: Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium has been a house of horrors over the years. As good as Nick Saban was in his time at LSU, he was 0-3 at Auburn. In LSU's last seven visits, including Saturday’s game, the Tigers are only averaging 13 points per game. 13!! Since divisional play started in 1992, LSU is now 4-7 at Auburn; the average margin of victory in those four wins is 5 points. This was a desperate Auburn team. This is the first time in the history of the program that they have ever lost three games before October 1st. The Tigers are 0-2 in SEC play for the first time since 1980.

Most importantly, LSU won the game. All of the Tigers’ goals are still on the table. Obviously they need to play better with the upcoming trip to Florida on October 6. If LSU can cut out the turnovers and penalties there will be plenty more victories this season.

A few observations:

* Does Mettenberger need to play better? Absolutely, but we must be fair in evaluating his play. He's started a grand total of four games in his career. I've been to Auburn twice; the stadium is as intimidating as any place in the country. He is a true junior and still has much to learn. He is very effective on first down completing 75% of his passes. He is very accurate and poised in the pocket. He needs to work on his field awareness when scrambling as he came up inches short twice versus Auburn. He also needs to improve on throwing on the run and most importantly, ball security. Mettenberger will continue to improve each week; fans just need to have patience.

* LSU's offensive line really struggled at times. Even though the run game ground out 182 yards, poor blocking lead to some minimal gains or Mettenberger being pressured. The sack and fumble in the second quarter was a direct result of poor blocking on the defensive end.

* LSU's defense is suffocating. Auburn was held to 183 yards, its lowest output all season. LSU had 14 tackles for loss. Auburn had only 52 offensive plays, thus over a quarter of those were for negative yards. Auburn was only 2 of 12 on third down conversions. LSU forced Auburn into five three and out possessions. An in game stat showed Auburn averaging 0.9 yards per play on 1st down deep into the fourth quarter. The defense will keep LSU in every game this season.

* The play calling in the second half was very conservative. On 13 first downs, LSU ran 10 times and passed 3. No screens or draws to try and slow down that pass rush.

* This goes to what I have said before about the offense, we do not stretch the field or try and get mismatches. We threw deep twice with only a few intermediate passes in 27 attempts. I’m convinced that LSU is the easiest team in the league to play call against in respect to the offense, very few formations, deep throws or misdirection.

* The "Bad Game Manager Miles" came out late in the game as LSU attempted a FG with about 40 seconds left. Alleman had to rush on the field with only seconds to go, rushed the kick and pushed it wide right. LSU had just called a timeout before 3rd down. The FG unit should have been ready to go on the field immediately after third down, yet they barely got the snap off. You could see Miles just standing on the sidelines and all of the sudden he realizes what's going on and hurries the team out on the field. Inexcusable.

* Penalites! 9 for 80 yards. Lack of poise. I counted at least 3 false starts. Those are killer.

* Kadrone Boone needs to play more. He is LSU's most reliable receiver. Miles insists on playing Sheppard even though he is probably LSU's weakest receiver. Folks want to criticize Mettenberger, but the drops by the receivers are killer in the style of offense we play.

* Fans should probably temper their expectations for this team. The 2011 squad was an all-time great in LSU history. Had they beaten Alabama the second time around we would be talking about one of the greatest teams in the history of college football. Let’s look at what this 2012 team actually is and not what we want it to be. LSU lost one of its best offensive linemen for the season. The QB is talented but inexperienced. The receiving corps is average at best. Special teams and defense are lights out. The Tigers have played as many freshmen as anyone on the country. Miles and his staff do a great job of preparation during the week, but poor game day management will occur again during the season.