Too Much Cowbell

Danny Etling gang tackled Saturday night in Starkville

LSU fans are out with pitchforks after the Tigers' 37-7 beat down at the hands of Mississippi State. Lots to dissect so let's get right to it.

1. State pushed LSU around on both lines of scrimmage. On offense, LSU could not generate much of a push up front or consistently handle the State pass rush. Why? Because the five starters are a very average bunch. LSU's best O-lineman left school before the season started and was replaced by a true freshman. State could bring four and get a steady pressure on Etling.
2. On defense, the Tigers just got mauled at the line. Lack of depth, injuries and two ejections culminated in State getting 285 yards on the ground.
3. LSU's upperclassmen are not delivering. Ed Paris and John Battle were awful last night getting fooled twice on State TD's. The receivers dropped passes and Etling just isn't good enough to make up for a shaky offensive line.
4. Penalties. Still a massive problem.
5. LSU is not deep on either line. This is a deeper problem which has been building over the last few years. Great teams are built on the offensive and defensive line. LSU needs to recruit heavily in these areas if it intends to compete at the highest level.

I find it highly amusing when fans say the game was “embarrassing.” It's a football game folks. A football game that you have zero responsibility for or ability to control. The players and coaches can feel embarrassed, but you need to step back and get some perspective. I think part of this stems from many fan's arrogance when it comes to State. Maybe the LSU players didn't properly respect State? I have no idea. But fans need to realize that Dan Mullen is an excellent coach and recruiter. He has overseen the best 8 year run in the history of Mississippi State football.

A loss like this is tough. From what we have seen all these things are off the table:

No National Title

No Playoffs

No SEC Title

No SEC Division Title

No Big 6 Bowl Game

That is a bitter pill to swallow after only 3 games. 

Fans need to come to grips with another fact, LSU is not a premier program right now. The Tigers have slowly atrophied under Les Miles over his last three seasons. Outside of Guice, do you see any future NFL starters on that offense? LSU lost a ton of playmakers on defense and is not in a position to just reload as they have in previous years.

Ask yourself, why are so many freshman getting playing time?

The SEC is unforgiving. Slip just a little and you get results like we had last night.

I'm not ready to give up on Da Coach O and this staff after one game. (But I'm sure there are a number of LSU fans saying “I told you so”) 

Let me ask the question in another way, do you believe Aranda can figure this out? Do you believe that Canada can do a better job? Sure, Orgeron is ultimately responsible for the play of the team, but he is going to sink or swim based on his coordinators getting this right.

I want to see how the coaches and players respond. I also want to be fair to these players and this staff. Let's give them an opportunity to make corrections and see if they can improve.

The Tigers return home for two games they should win before heading to Gainesville the first Saturday of October.  Syracuse is up first this Saturday.

LSU 35 – Syracuse 24

And one last thing, no matter what happens, Joe Alleva needs to go.

Other Random Thoughts

1. The Texas v. USC game was fun to watch. The Golden Child Tom Herman is 1-2 with games still left versus Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU.

2. The Florida v. Tennessee game was terrible until the 4th quarter. The offensive play calling inside the redzone lost the game for the Vols. Not sure how many more losses like that Jones can withstand.

3. I've been saying this for years: Auburn's offense MUST have a running QB to be effective. 

4. Clemson is clearly the best in the ACC.  The number two spot is wide open.

5. Best Division in football is the Big 10 East.  Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State are all playoff contenders.  Maryland also has a win at Texas.

Playoffs:

Alabama, USC, Clemson, Oklahoma State