LSU Football: Tigers' Woeful Performance vs. Arkansas the Worst in Les Miles Era

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—It's finally over. 

Arkansas' slow and steady beatdown of LSU was Chinese water torture for Tiger fans. The 17-0 scoreline is cringeworthy, as the Tigers were outplayed in every facet of the game.

And head coach Les Miles knows it. 

"We need to make some adjustments and fix us," said Miles after the game.

It was 1/9/12 all over again for the offense. The Tigers had not been shutout since that dreaded date of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game against Alabama. 

But this loss against Arkansas was far worse. The Tigers were dominated by a team that had not won an SEC game under Bret Bielema. 

Let that sink in. 

Bielema out-coached Miles. The Razorbacks won the time of possession battle and the line of scrimmage, both of which the Tigers had dominated in their last four games. 

The Tigers accumulated a season low 123 total yards. Sure, their vaunted offensive line suffered injuries to guard Vadal Alexander and center Elliott Porter. But that is no reason for them to have gotten bludgeoned that badly.

The Razorbacks consistently put pressure on Anthony Jennings, sacking him four times. Defensive end Trey Flowers said the unit felt they had an advantage up front heading into the game. 

"We knew coming into this game we were going to be able to attack the offensive line. They run block very well, but on the passing side of things we knew were going to be able to get after them," said Flowers. 

Sarah Bentham/Associated Press

The run blocking was poor from the Tigers as well. LSU only had 36 yards rushing. Arkansas had two players eclipse that on their own. 

Jennings' receivers did not help, either, as they generated little separation against a mediocre Arkansas secondary. The Razorbacks entered Saturday as the second worst passing defense against SEC opposition.

The quarterback's 87 passing yards marks the second straight game he was held to under 90 yards passing. 

"I have to improve," said Jennings. "I need to see what I can do better to help this team."

The Tigers' defense fared better, holding Arkansas to only 264 total yards offensively. Yet those stats are deceiving. 

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

LSU could not get off the field on third down, as the Razorbacks were an efficient 10-of-17. Limited quarterback Brandon Allen was 6-of-11 on third down, with all six of his completions moving the chains.

Good defenses put up great statistics but great defenses make stops when it matters the most. The Tigers could not get off the field on third down. 

"It was frustrating," said LSU defensive tackle Christian LaCouture. "We just have to get better every week."

And then there was special teams. 

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Arkansas had the second lowest amount of field-goal attempts and makes in the SEC entering Saturday. Adam McFain nailed a 32-yard strike to give the Razorbacks points on their opening drive. 

LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye entered Saturday as the second best kicker in the SEC. But Delahoussaye withered in the cold, missing two field goals well within his range.

There was certainly hangover from last week's heartbreaking loss to Alabama. That, compounded by Arkansas coming off a bye week, equaled disaster for the Tigers. 

But there are only so many excuses the Tigers can make. This was the worst LSU performance under Miles ever. And it's really not even close. 

The previously mentioned Alabama goose egg in the BCS National Championship Game was somewhat understandable. It is hard to beat Nick Saban twice in the same season. Auburn and Mississippi State dominated the Tigers earlier this season, but those were two of the most prolific offenses in the country.

It would be a stretch to find a loss worse than this one in Miles' previous nine years. The 2008 season was horrendous but at least the Tigers scored points in each of their five losses. 

Miles said he will take the upcoming bye week to reevaluate his team before heading to College Station to take on Texas A&M. There could be a change at quarterback, where many fans are clamoring for true freshman Brandon Harris to replace Jennings. 

"He's (Harris) taking 50 percent of the snaps (in practice). He's developing very well," said Miles. 

Saturday was the first time Miles was shutout in the regular season while at LSU. It also cements the end of his streak of 10-win seasons. 

And it could not have been done in a more emphatic fashion. 

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com, ESPN.com and LSU Sports Information. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.