5 Ways LSU's Tyrann Mathieu Changes Games

Cornerback Tyrann Mathieu has exploded onto the college football scene and earned his way into position as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Along the way, he's picked the annoying nickname "Honey Badger."

Whether you love or loathe the nickname that every television pundit can't seem to get enough of, there's no denying that Mathieu has become a force on No. 1 LSU's defense. He's what we like to call a game-changer.

When the Honey Badger is on the field, offenses have to take note and take caution. He can turn the tide of a game in a heartbeat.

Will he come away with the Heisman? We'll know the answer to that shortly after 8:00 P.M. ET tonight.

Just in case anyone needs further proof that he deserves it, here are five ways Mathieu changes games.

The Cover

There are corners who are dangerous and corners who are disruptive. Then are there are corners who are simply shut-down corners.

It's arguable exactly which category Mathieu fits into. He's all three at different times.

The Honey Badger has solid instincts and great closing speed on the ball. He's batted away seven passes this season, and quarterbacks have had a difficult time throwing around him.

It severely limits an offense when you have to avoid throwing to one side of the field or the other. That's what guys like Mathieu can do. He can lure you into thinking a receiver is going to be open, but can shut it down before the play can be made.

He makes it relatively pointless to throw to his side of the field. When an offense can only operate on half the field, they're obviously crippled as to what they can do and it allows the rest of the defense to gravitate the other direction.

He's a big part of the reason LSU's defense has been so stout this year.

The Interception Threat

If the Heisman were based on how many interceptions a cornerback has, Mathieu would have no shot at the trophy. After all, he doesn't even have the most interceptions on his own team, let alone the country.

However, his lowly two interceptions aren't just due to a lack of effort or ability. As already mentioned, they're largely due to the fact that defenses try to avoid him altogether.

The ability is there. It's a matter of opportunity.

With his ability to run with the football, it's even more important for opposing quarterbacks to avoid him. He may not necessarily have the greatest hands in college football, but if he does get hold of the ball, there's a better than average chance he can take it all the way back the other direction.

The Hit

One of Honey Badger's best attributes is his ability to make the big play, even when it doesn't involve running the ball or trying to intercept it.

Mathieu has 1.5 sacks this year and 6.5 tackles-for-loss. He's a tremendous threat off the corner and knows how to wrap up his tackles.

In essence, he's not a soft corner. He isn't just there to cover receivers. Mathieu makes good reads, moves quickly to the ball and can be just as effective a run-stopper as he is a pass defender.

A big play behind the line can (and has) fire up the entire team and spark it to life when things are looking dim.

Perhaps that has been his greatest contribution to LSU this season. His numbers are great, but the way he has ignited the team during times when they sorely needed that spark has been inspiring.

Punt Returns

This is where Tyrann is perhaps most dangerous. Special teams are where the tide can turn in a game instantly, and Mathieu is one of the most dangerous threats in the country.

The impact this can have on a game was never more evident than in LSU's SEC Championship Game against Georgia. Trailing early, Tyrann took a punt and returned it 62 yards for a score.

That score turned LSU's fortunes almost immediately. The Tigers went on to blow Georgia out of the water, but LSU looked sluggish and ineffective until Mathieu stepped up with the big play.

That's the kind of threat he is. You don't have LSU down as long as Mathieu is still in the game.

The Turnover

One of the reasons LSU's defense is so potent is their ability to generate turnovers and capitalize off them. One of the reasons LSU's defense is so good at generating turnovers is Tyrann Mathieu.

Besides his two interceptions, Mathieu has forced six fumbles and recovered four of them. He's constantly looking for the strip and is focused enough to get to the ball in a hurry when he sees it on the ground.

Opponents have to constantly be aware of protecting the football against LSU. A fumble is as bad as an interception. It gives the ball back to the Tigers and takes away a potential opportunity to score.

More importantly, it's a morale killer. Turnovers can turn the tide of a ball game as quickly as anything.

Whether it's returning punts, taking away passes or forcing fumbles, the Honey Badger (I use the name grudgingly) can change the course of a game quickly. There's a reason he's in the thick of the Heisman hunt, after all.