LSU Football: Surprises, Disappointments so Far for 2014 Tigers

LSU is 3-1 so far in 2014, which is surprising and disappointing. 

The Tigers have been favored in every game they have played this season, but they have not played like it. They were down 24-7 against Wisconsin in the season opener but were able to score 21 unanswered points and win. After two dominant shutouts against cupcakes Sam Houston State and UL-Monroe, LSU was eviscerated by Mississippi State in Tiger Stadium last Saturday night.

LSU head coach Les Miles is historically good in big games. But so far in 2014, Miles' squad has been flat against the two power-five conference teams it has faced.

Miles has won at least 10 games in every season since 2010. That appears to be in jeopardy with the way the Tigers have looked against meaningful opposition. He believes he can do a better job himself of having his team prepared. 

"

Les Miles: "I have to improve and be a better head coach." #LSU

— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) September 21, 2014"

Here are some other surprises and disappointments for the 2014 Tigers thus far.  

Surprises

Few predicted wide receiver Travin Dural to be LSU's best offensive player after the first four weeks. Dural has caught 18 passes for 494 yards and four touchdowns. He has been LSU's leading receiver in every game this season.

Dural did not make any preseason All-SEC teams. If he keeps up his stellar play, he will be in the running for multiple postseason honors.

USA TODAY Sports

True freshman defensive tackle Davon Godchaux went through some growing pains against Mississippi State. He was consistently pushed out of his gap and was stomped on by center Dillon Day.

But Godchaux was not on anyone's radar to be a regular rotation player this season. He was presumably behind Maquedius Bain, Greg Gilmore and Frank Herron, but he surpassed them with his raw talent. The pride of Plaquemine, Louisiana, has shown flashes of excellence and has a bright future in the eyes of Miles.

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On the broadcast, play-by-play man Sean McDonough says Les Miles compared Davon Godchaux to Glenn Dorsey during their meeting with him. #LSU

— Ross Dellenger (@DellengerAdv) September 1, 2014"

Disappointments

LSU's run defense has been embarrassingly bad. Defensive coordinator John Chavis' unit allowed Wisconsin and Mississippi State to rush for a combined 570 yards. 

The Tigers still have to play the powerful rushing attacks of Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas. If they cannot stop the run, they might go winless against SEC West opposition. 

LSU's own running game hasn't been too stellar, either. The Tigers only managed 89 yards on the ground against the Bulldogs and have had only one rusher eclipse 100 yards in a game. 

The experienced offensive line has yet to find a cohesive starting unit. LSU 5-star freshman Leonard Fournette has been a non-factor, rushing for only 56 yards on 15 carries against power-five conference opposition.  

Fournette, Kenny Hilliard, Terrence Magee and Darrel Williams have been good, but not great. They, along with the offensive line, can, and must, perform at a higher level. 

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com and LSU Sports Information. Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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