It’s been 3 days since LSU took down Florida in Death Valley so my emotions are back in check and sanity has returned. Leading up to the game, I like most Tiger fans couldn’t wait for the game to get here. During the game, I was not thrilled with the back and forth scoring by both teams. I was hoping for a big win. I never thought it would be easy but I did think we were the far superior team and that this year we would prove Vegas right as a 13.5 point favorite.
Well, LSU is now No. 2 in the AP poll and No. 3 in the coach’s poll and its deserving and merited.
The game was not exactly how I envisioned it going but LSU dominated, that’s right, dominated Florida. The final score was 42-28 but it was 2 defensive plays from 42-14.
Mullen and Trask shredded the LSU D for the entire 1st half and the opening possession of the 2nd half but after that, Aranda and the Tiger D neutralized the Fla offensive attack. By the way, the way Mullen is able to scheme against Aranda is unbelievable but predictable.
However, make no mistake, LSU’s Offense was nearly flawless in the game against the Gator Defense that is not only near the top of the SEC but also the nation. Florida did everything they could to try and slow down LSU but they had no answer.
If anyone had told me before the game that the LSU Offensive Line would be able to dominate the vaunted Florida Defensive Line, I would not have believed them but in fact they did. Burrow was pressured a few times in the game but each time that occurred, he not only escaped but gained positive yards using his legs. Burrow was again spectacular in this game. He had 3 incomplete passes all game. All of his other passes were precise and he continually hit receivers running free in the Gator Secondary. Burrow for Heisman is real. Burrow as a NFL prospect is also real. Burrow as SEC Offensive Player of the Week is almost a given.
Shockingly, LSU was able to shred long running plays against Florida several times. At times LSU created massive running lanes against Florida’s front 7 but it’s beyond time for me to publicly declare Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the unquestioned and obvious starting RB for this team. I have been waiting for the freshman running backs to eventually take over the backfield and while I do believe they will continue to get more involved as the season moves forward, No. 22 is perfect for this elite Offense. He may not be ideal in terms of height and his 40 time may not be elite but his vision is above-average. He runs with such balance and a low center of gravity. He leads the nation in yards after contact which is an important statistic. His quick feet allow him to get in and out of running lanes yet he is patient and allows the running holes to develop. He is by far the best pass blocking RB on this team and he also has the ability to catch from time to time. He does need to hold on to the ball better. On his 2nd rushing TD near the goal line, he danced from the left to the right in an amazing way then burst through to the goal line. However, when he got near the goal line, he nearly fumbled again. He fumbled at the goal line against Vandy in similar fashion. That just can’t happen moving forward.
By the way, I predict John Emery and Ty Davis-Price are going to have some big running games in the 2nd half of the season and there is a good chance that starts in Starkville this coming Saturday. Emery has already shown the ability to make one cut and shift into another gear. Ty Davis-Price runs downhill with power and when he hits the hole hard, the pile moves back.
Not sure how many more superlatives can be used to describe the QB play of Burrow and this Offense but they all are deserving. This Offense is nearly unstoppable and that will continue so long as a healthy Burrow is behind center.
The LSU D remains a work in progress. At times they flash talent, ability and cohesion. At other times, they play disjointed and often with poor technique or leverage. For years we have been accustomed to a LSU Defense that is among the best in the nation and an Offense that was the noose around the team’s neck. I don’t think the LSU Defense is a necessarily a problem this year but any hopes of them becoming more than slightly above-average is probably futile. Aranda continues to start games only rushing 4 down lineman and not dialing up QB pressures. Our team is best when they are aggressive and forcing the action. The health of the D line has something to do with Aranda’s reluctance to dial up blitzes but when he doesn’t, good QB’s are slicing and dicing our talented DB’s. I have to admit that I am disappointed in the play of Chaisson this season. I am starting to wonder if there is a curse to who wears No. 18. The good news is that with this year’s elite Offense, if the Tiger D can just keep other teams from scoring more than 24-28 points, I feel strongly that our Tigers can and will outscore all remaining opponent’s on this year’s schedule minus the team in Crimson. If they can force a few punts each half and get 1-2 turnovers each game, its basically game over for the opposition. Can you imagine playing for the other team or coaching the other team with that kind of pressure?
This next weekend, I will making my 4th trip to Starkvegas. I have never been to an away game at Miss St and not seen LSU win. In fact, for two of those road games, LSU won BIG and by the 4th Qtr, Purple and Gold had taken over the stadium similar to how Tiger Nation took over Commodore Stadium at Vandy several weeks ago. I suspect something similar will take place again on Sat so I guess I will only be wearing my ear plugs for about a quarter which is about how long those dang cowbells will be clanging.
Geaux Tigers!