LSU Football: What You Should and Shouldn't Be Concerned About After Week 2
Life is good for LSU fans.
The Tigers are a somewhat lucky 2-0 this season. Head coach Les Miles had one of his patented comebacks against Wisconsin in the season opener. Last week, the team dominated Sam Houston State in its first shutout since 2010.
Two games is a small sample size to judge how good the Tigers will be in 2014.
With that said, there are some clear causes of concern going forward Miles must address. On the other hand, there have been some bright spots Miles should feel comfortable about.
Here is what LSU fans should and shouldn't be concerned about going forward.
Should: Tight End
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LSU's tight ends have been non-factors.
The lone reception by a tight end this season resulted in a fumble by senior Travis Dickson against Wisconsin that has been the only Tigers turnover thus far. A few plays later, promising sophomore DeSean Smith dropped an open pass that would have moved the chains.
What was shocking, however, was the blocking. The Tigers were below average against Wisconsin. Because of this, sophomore Colin Jeter saw snaps against Sam Houston State.
The lack of receiving playmakers is no new phenomenon. LSU's tight ends only accumulated 28 catches and no touchdowns in 2012 and 2013 combined.
Defensive coordinators are allowed more freedom if they do not respect tight ends. It was proven to be true in losses to Georgia and Alabama last season.
Smith has the potential to be a threat over the middle. If not him, someone else will need to step up.
Shouldn't: Wide Receivers
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While the Tigers' tight ends have been underwhelming, their wide receivers have exceeded expectations.
Travin Dural looks like a legitimate threat to reach 1,000 yards this season. He already has 291 yards on only six catches, which averages out to an impressive 48.5 yards per reception. His four touchdowns are already half of what first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. accumulated over the entire 2013 season.
Redshirt freshman John Diarse has been a physical threat on the outside. His 35-yard touchdown reception against Wisconsin played a major role in LSU's 28-24 comeback victory.
True freshmen Trey Quinn and Malachi Dupre have also shown promise. Quinn has played a high volume of snaps in both games and caught three passes for 37 yards. Dupre sat out against Wisconsin, but made a diving touchdown reception against Sam Houston State.
If the receivers continue to develop, it will aid the growth of quarterbacks Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris. The Tigers will need them to make plays against the gifted secondaries of the SEC.
Should: Run Defense
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LSU's run defense is suspect.
Wisconsin rushed for 268 yards on 39 carries against the Tigers, which averages out to just under seven yards per carry. The group showed improvement against Sam Houston State, as the Bearkats only rushed for 50 yards on 36 carries.
Unfortunately for LSU, there are not many cupcakes left on the schedule.
Most of the teams on LSU's SEC slate run the football effectively. Power-rushing teams like Mississippi State, Alabama and Arkansas could have success similar to that of the Badgers against the Tigers.
LSU needs more production at defensive tackle. Christian LaCouture and Quentin Thomas have looked good but not great. True freshman Davon Godchaux has shown flashes of excellence. Redshirt freshman Greg Gilmore, Frank Herron and Maquedius Bain have only played in garbage time against Sam Houston State.
D.J. Welter has looked fine at middle linebacker. However, Kendell Beckwith could earn more snaps if he continues his fantastic play.
While the defensive ends and outside linebackers also need to hold up their end, the middle must be stout for the Tigers to have any chance against the powerful SEC. If the Tigers do not see improvement there, they will likely have the same fortune as they had against the Badgers.
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Shouldn't: Pass Defense
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LSU has an embarrassment of riches in its secondary.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis runs plenty of plays in "dime" packages, which calls for six defensive backs on the field at once. Even in that defense, there is not enough room on the field for all of the top-end talent LSU has to offer.
Cornerback Tre'Davious White and safety Jalen Mills are bona fide playmakers. Ronald Martin, Rickey Jefferson, Jamal Adams, Rashard Robinson, Jalen Collins and Dwayne Thomas can also be difference-makers.
The Tigers have only allowed 206 passing yards through two games. The elite coverage has helped force five turnovers and seven sacks.
As great as the defensive backs have been, they have yet to be truly challenged. Wisconsin and Sam Houston State have mediocre receivers. Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M have the opposite.
Nevertheless, the talent present in the LSU secondary can match up against anybody.
Should: Schedule
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LSU's schedule is the biggest fear that lies ahead for Miles.
The Tigers play their first conference game against Mississippi State after this week's contest against Louisiana-Monroe. After that, the Tigers will have one more cupcake against New Mexico State.
Then things get really rough.
LSU will travel to Auburn and Florida in back-to-back weeks to start October. The chances of getting wins in both of those games are slim. For the Bayou Bengals to stay alive in the College Football Playoff hunt, they must win at least one of those games.
LSU will then close out the month with Kentucky and Ole Miss. The Wildcats should be a win for the Tigers in Death Valley, but the Rebels could be a different story.
Ole Miss will be the last of nine straight games for a young LSU team. Head coach Hugh Freeze has had success against Miles, winning in 2013 and losing only by six points in 2012. Freeze had inferior rosters in both of those games. This year's team is the most talented Freeze has ever had in his coaching career.
The schedule could eat the Tigers alive in October. November could be even worse with Alabama, Arkansas and Texas A&M on the slate. Getting to 10 wins would be an impressive feat for Miles in 2014.
Shouldn't: Overall Talent
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The Tigers' coaching staff has recruited its tail off. The fruits of its labor has already been evident this season. Nearly every coach in the country, especially those outside of the SEC, would switch their roster for LSU's right now.
The highly touted 2014 recruiting class has looked great so far. Running back Leonard Fournette, Dupre, Quinn, Adams, Godchaux and others are only going to get better.
The rest of the SEC West has also recruited at a high level. Alabama, Texas A&M and Auburn are reeling in elite players that can win championships. It is vital for Miles to keep the pace with these other schools, which he has done spectacularly throughout his tenure in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
LSU has immense talent on its entire roster. If the coaches do their part to develop it, there is a chance for a College Football Playoff berth in the near future. It just may not be this season.
Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com and LSU Sports Information. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports. Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.
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