LSU's Offensive Decline Continues, Dampening Special Defensive Play

What can be said about the LSU offense, besides it is arguably the worst unit in the Southeastern Conference, if not the nation.  The LSU offensive SEC rankings are something that has not been seen since the days of Curly Hallman.  Currently the Tigers rank 12th in the conference in passing offense, 12th in passing efficiency, and 11th in total offense.  

The architect behind this wonder of an offense, is none other than Gary "The Wizard" Crowton.  According to Crowton's bio on LSUsports.net, Crowton is "considered by most as one of the top offensive minds in football," as evidenced by the offensive juggernaut that graces the field every Saturday of the 2010 season.

Rumors circulated after the 2009 campaign of Crowton's departure, due to the dismal offensive performance, yet Tiger fans are blessed to see an Offense in 2010 that makes the 2009 offensive unit look like the vaunted "Fun and Gun."

Tiger fans will be quick to point blame at struggling quarterback Jordan Jefferson, and some of that criticism is deserved, especially following Jefferson's 10-of-22, 75-yard, 2 interception performance against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Jefferson, in fact, has failed to reach 100 yards passing in three straight games, but fans must remember that Jefferson is still a young quarterback.  The blame for Jefferson's struggles should be directed clearly at offensive coordinator Gary Crowton.

Research Crowton's offenses at his various stops at La Tech, BYU, and Oregon, not to mention the Chicago Bears, and fans will see that Crowton's offenses suffered sharp declines from year one to year two.

In 2001, the Crowton-led BYU Cougars averaged 46.8 points per game, in 2002, BYU averaged 22.7 points per game.  In 2003, BYU continued their offensive struggles averaging a mere 16.3 points per game.

During Crowton's first year at Oregon, Crowton's offense averaged 34.5 points per game, yet dropped in Year 2 to 29.5 points per game.  Crowton was then dismissed from Oregon, landing at LSU.

Once again, Crowton excelled in his first season, averaging 38.6 points per game, but since Tiger fans have been witness to the offensive downward spiral to what we have today.

The tragedy in this downfall, is that in year 2 under Defensive Coordinator John Chavis, the Tiger's defense is becoming a special unit, that could rival that of the greatest defenses in LSU history.  Currently, the Tigers Defense conference rankings are No. 2 in scoring defense, first in total defense, first in rushing defense, fourth in passing defense, third in interceptions, and fourth in sacks.

Not to mention the fact that the Tigers defense, features arguably the best player in College Football, in cornerback Patrick Peterson.  Combine this, with the play of middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, defensive tackle Drake Nevis, and a host of young players proving to be stellar playmkers, and the Tigers are playing championship-level defense.

Hopefully, the stellar defensive play will continue to outshine the mediocre offense which Crowton produces, in what is quickly becoming to appear as Crowton's last stand on the bayou.