LSU Football: The Dark Cloud and the Silver Lining

If I’ve ever done anything in my writing, it’s try to provide the fan’s side of things (especially with LSU) without getting too up or too down after a game.

I try to be a bit more positive than most, attempting to be the voice of reason while showing some perspective.

Fans have a short memory. They don’t remember how Matt Mauck (who won a NC in ’03) struggled as an underclassman, or how JaMarcus Russell (eventual NFL No. 1 pick) made crucial mistakes before he started to blossom.

We don’t live in that kind of world now in college football. When you are a championship team, there exists no world where players get a chance to develop their talents. It’s win and win right now. Fans get spoiled. LSU fans are (for the most part) spoiled.

They have short memories.

Now is the point where you would think I remind fans how short their memories actually are and defend the LSU program. But instead, give me a little time to agree with those purple and gold crazies.

What they’re worried about

The QB Situation

If Miles says he’s thinking about getting true freshman Jordan Jefferson some more time, then something is definitely wrong. Be glad that Miles is aware of it. Be glad that both Jefferson and Jarrett Lee get some experience this year, and be happy two outstanding QB recruits are headed to Baton Rouge next year.

LSU’s two losses are to two preseason Top Five teams quarterbacked by Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford. Last time I checked, both were pretty good QBs.

This isn’t a panic situation, but it’s not good either. Honestly, though, it’s what was expected. Jarrett Lee has shown some upside by tossing 15 TD passes. He has shown some inexperience in that four of those 15 were to opposing teams.

In fact, Lee’s three picks against Georgia totaled 17 points for the Dawgs. The game was decided by 14 points.

Lee’s not going through his progressions, and I think that stems from the game moving too fast for him and his nerves getting the best of him. He rarely looks to more than one receiver on a play, and the Bulldogs game-planned for this and executed well.

This isn’t the bad thing though. LSU’s success in the recent past has been sustained because of the defense’s ability to bail the offense out when they make mistakes.

What they should be worried about

The Defense

There were some key losses from the defense after last season. Three of four in the secondary were new starters this season. Both OLBs are new, and there are a couple of new starters on the DL.

Yet most Tiger fans thought this wouldn’t be a problem. But it is.

It’s compounded by another problem: the new defensive coordinators.

When a DC leaves, usually the defensive players have to adjust to a new scheme. When Miles promoted Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto (the secondary and linebackers coach respectively) to co-DCs, his thought process was to provide continuance and consistency in the scheme.

Overall, not a whole lot has changed scheme-wise, so production should be similar (with a small expected drop-off), even with newer players, but it has not been. The drop-off has been astounding.

The Bayou Bengals are getting destroyed in big plays this year.

LSU is ninth in total defense and 11th in the SEC in scoring defense.

There’s also a stat that both offense and defense contribute to: turnover margin. The Tigers are ninth in the SEC.

Basically LSU has been put in the position of trying to outscore teams while using a freshman QB. In the SEC, that’s not going to happen.

Especially when you look at the fact that the Tigers are dead last in red zone defense, it’s a miracle the Tigers are where they are. Fans should maybe rejoice that the Tigers only have two losses in this situation so far.

I don’t usually suggest the drastic, but it’s time to maybe admit that Les’ decision to promote Mallory and Peveto was a poor one. The great thing about it is that both are position coaches and both could just be returned to their position coach duties for next season. That is, unless pride gets in the way and sours things.

But yes, I’m suggesting a change after just one season. While I expected a drop-off, I did not expect one this drastic. LSU has never in its history given up 50+ points twice in one season. Never.

We’re seven games into the season now. Blown coverages are fine once a game, but not as often as they occur now. Players are out of position and confused. The linebackers and secondary are struggling, and the defensive line looks as if they are overrated. I blame the DCs.

Miles is hands-on with his offense but a little less with the D. He needs a strong coach on the defensive side in order to make things run well. The current situation is not the answer.

Or maybe I’m the one who’s spoiled now?

What they should stop worrying about

Offensive Coordinator Gary Crowton

LSU is second in the SEC in total offense and third in the SEC in scoring offense. LSU is second in sacks allowed, so you know his line plays well. The offense is the reason LSU is still ranked in the Top 25 and not looking at a .500 season.

I’m willing to make a bet that Gary Crowton knows more about offense and his own offense than anyone reading this sentence (author included). We should just leave it at that.

If the running game is working, you cannot run on every single down. Eventually it will be stopped. The key to any offense is balance. That’s a game plan Crowton tries to install every week. If you were content with the Saban/Fisher days of trying to get a lead and then sitting on it, then maybe you should follow another team.

Crowton is nails, I promise you. What his team does on the field is beyond his control. Turnovers can kill any offense, and you’d have to think that if LSU didn’t have the turnover ratio they have, they’d be even better.

This offense put up 500 yards and 38 points against Georgia, who statistically has one of the better defenses in the SEC. In fact, LSU rushed for 188 yards against the top-ranked rush defense in the conference.

The offense is averaging 412 yards per game to this point even with the mistakes.

If Gary Crowton is your main area of concern, I urge to find a new avenue of discontent. Quite simply, he’s the best assistant coach LSU has ever had.

He’s better than Bo Pelini, he’s better than Jimbo Fisher, and he’s better than Will Muschamp (that D was Saban’s).

Don’t worry about Crowton. He’s not the problem.

What they’ll never have to worry about

Giving up

Say what you want about Miles, but his teams don’t quit (unless you count offensive players trying to tackle the guy who just made the interception).

Put in countless come from behind situations, LSU never seems like they’re out of a game, even when they are. They make other teams nervous with the lead.

Give Les a bit of credit. Even when this team has swords against their throats, they never say die. I like that in a coach and a team.

I had to give you some kind of positive in all this.

Want some more positives??? (Sure you do!!!)

- LSU is beating the teams they are supposed to beat this season. Coming into the season, most wouldn’t have thought that the Tigers would take Florida in the Swamp or the preseason No. 2-ranked Bulldogs. It’ll be interesting to see the line on the Alabama game.

- If LSU loses to Bama and wins the rest of their games, that makes them 9-3. With a bowl win, they have a chance to have their fourth straight season with at least 10 wins. There are many teams across this nation that would strangle you with a piece of wet spaghetti if you turned your nose up at that. A 9-3 record in a supposed off year in a tough conference—I’d take it and run.

- LSU currently has the No. 3-ranked recruiting class coming in for 2009 and still has a few more spots to fill.

Just something to think about.