Don't Get Cocky

LSU's Tyrion Davis-Price runs away from South Carolina defenders

LSU got back to winning Saturday night thumping South Carolina 52-24.  Plenty of good things to discuss but problems still exist.

Offense

* TJ Finley was fantastic in his debut.  The true freshman went 17 for 21 with 265 yards, 2 TD's and 1 INT.  He made good decisions all night and was extremely poised. All LSU fans should be excited about Finley's potential.

* LSU was finally committed to the run and had a good bit of success.  The Tigers rushed the ball 54 times for 276 yards with three TD's.  Davis-Price had 135 yards on 22 carries, career highs for both.

* Terrance Marshall caught two more TD's raising his season total to nine.  He will be a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award as long the LSU QB's throw his way.

* The O-Line played their best game of the season.  Finley was not sacked once and the ground game produced a season high.

* Inevitably people will be calling for Finley to be the starter because of this one game.  I am not one of those folks.  Brennan has gotten better every game and would have put up big numbers against South Carolina had he been healthy.  Finley, playing at home, was only asked to throw the ball 21 times the entire game.  Brennan has averaged that in each half this season.  In LSU's two loses, the Tigers averaged only 65 yards per game on the ground.  Coach O was clear after the game saying Brennan was the starter.  This team has enough problems with out a QB controversy.  Finley will have his time in the sun.  Just not yet.

Defense

* LSU allowed 7.9 yards per play against South Carolina.  As atrocious as that number is, it's an improvement over the Missouri and Mississippi State games.  For the season, LSU is giving up 7.17 yards per play, 96th out of 101 teams.  

* Teams are averaging 4.22 yards per carry and 9.7 yards per passing attempt against LSU's defense.  The problem is "big" plays.  LSU has given up the most 20+, 30+ and 40+ yard plays in the SEC.

* There are bright spots. LSU is ranked 15th nationally and 3rd in the SEC red-zone defense.  LSU is first in the SEC in allowing TD's on only 46% of opponent's red-zone opportunities.  The Tigers also rank first in the SEC in sacks per game and 9th nationally. 

* At this point I think fans need to a take a long and critical look at the defensive players on this team.  Does Pelini deserve a ton of blame for the defensive struggles? Absolutely.  But defensive players are making school boy errors that are not coaching related.  The Tigers have a long way to go to be considered even a mediocre defense.  The competition is only going to get stronger as the season rolls on.

Next Up

The LSU v. Auburn series has been one of the most entertaining match-ups in all of college football over that last 25 years.  There was a time when playing at Auburn was a nightmare, but that has changed for the most part.  Since I wrote that article back in 2006, LSU is 10-3 versus Auburn overall and 3-3 when playing at Jordan-Hare Stadium.  

The most the Tigers have ever scored at Auburn was in 1998 in Terry Bowden's final season.  LSU hung 31 on an Auburn team that finished the season 3-8.  I would be surprised if LSU doesn't break that record this year.  AU is giving up a hair over 400 yards and 25 points per game.  AU's QB, Bo Nix, is struggling this season.  His QB rating places him 13th in the SEC and 74th nationally.  But LSU's defense is so poor I expect him to have a solid game.  AU's lead running back Tank Bigsby is a load.  He is averaging 5.8 yards a carry.  Expect a heavy dose of him to keep drives moving and LSU's offense off the field.  To win the game, LSU will have to score early and try and put pressure on Auburn's offense.  Turnovers will be key as LSU has been unable to stop teams and force many punts.  I want to believe this team is getting better, but I have zero confidence in the defense.  What the hell...

LSU 38 - Auburn 35

Expect another crazy ending Saturday...