Ole Miss vs. LSU: Game Grades, Analysis for the Tigers

Look ahead of you. You see that white jersey running away from you? 

It's Leonard Fournette. 

In his first game back in nearly a month, the star back racked up 284 yards and three scores on just 16 carries en route to LSU's 38-21 win over the Ole Miss Rebels. 

There's no doubt Ed Orgeron has sparked the Tigers' offense, and LSU looks like a team that could, if the stars align, beat Alabama in its next game. 

With that, let's check out some of LSU's game grades. 

LSU's First Half Defense

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: C+

A few breakdowns in coverage led to what may be the worst defensive half of the year for the LSU Tigers.

Ole Miss scored all 21 one of its points in the half and led 10-0 early. Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly was 11-of-20 for 152 yards and a score in the first two quarters, and Ole Miss racked up 221 yards of offense as a whole.

The Tigers made up for it in the second half, and a pick in the first half helped quell some momentum, but lapses won't get it done against The Tide.  

Leonard Fournette

Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Grade: A+

Oh, what a healthy Leonard Fournette can do for a team. 

The preseason Heisman candidate tore up the Ole Miss defense in chunks on Saturday night, his first game back after aggravating an ankle injury. 

Orgeron took the cautious approach with Fournette, and it paid huge dividends. Now that he's fully healthy, the back's full arsenal was on full display. 

Fournette is perhaps the most powerful downhill runner in the nation, and he could be an injection of diesel down the stretch of the season. 

Everybody Else on Offense

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Grade: B

When Fournette goes off the way he did, the other 10 guys on the field just need to do their jobs. 

That was a box LSU checked off on Saturday night. 

Quarterback Danny Etling finished with 204 yards, a touchdown and a pick on 19-of-28 passing, while Malachi Dupre continued to find his stride with five catches for 52 yards. 

LSU's offensive line in pass protection was suspect at times, but those gaping holes for Fournette to run through were also the line's doing. 

Ed Orgeron

Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Grade: A

This was far and away Ed Orgeron's toughest matchup since he took over for Les Miles in the interim role in Baton Rouge. 

Through one half, it looked as though the game could go either way. 

But a slew of halftime adjustments reminiscent of last week's game against Southern Miss saw the Tigers roar past the Rebels for their first win over a ranked team this season. 

Orgeron is campaigning for the job in Baton Rouge, and the make-or-break test comes in the team's next contest against Alabama. 

Orgeron will likely have to beat the Crimson Tide to secure the full-time gig. But for LSU, that's looked more like a fair proposition since Coach O took over.