LSU Guest Blogger
I sent fellow SEC Power Pollster Faimon at Pelican State Sports a few questions about the LSU Tigers and what they are looking forward to in the upcoming slaughter game with Mississippi State. Here are his answers. You can read my response to his questions over on his blog.
1. Until Auburn, LSU had not really faced a strong defense. How do you think the offense did?
I was pretty happy with how the offense performed. It was clear early on that Hatch wasn’t going to be able to accomplish much through the air, and once Auburn figured that out, they were able to stuff Charles Scott, mostly in the second quarter. But in the second half, once the threat of pass returned, I think the offense displayed some of it’s true power. Charles Scott was ripping off runs of 7-9 yards regularly, and the passing game was gouging them with Dickson and Lafell over the middle and Byrd running deep. When it’s clicking, this offense can eat up yard in huge chunks, and it can be fun to watch. When it’s not clicking – i.e, last 20 minutes of the first half against Auburn, it’s a Ferrari that won’t start.
2. Is there a quarterback controversy brewing in Baton Rouge, or has Lee won the starting job.
I am afraid that Lee will get the majority of the snaps unless Hatch lights it up this weekâand I expect both to get significant playing time this week. I wrote in my immediate post Auburn game thoughts that the quarterback controversy at LSU should just be beginning, not ending with Lee’s second half, but some of the comments out of Baton Rouge since then have made me rethink. I think it was Les, or perhaps Crowton, who said that Hatch refused to make some downfield throws in the first half. That’s not a good sign, because judging by the second half, those routes would have been open. Hatch is well known has having the weaker arm between the two, and perhaps his fear was due to insecurity about his ability to make throws. That’s troubling, and now I fear that LSU’s coaching staff (the fans have already made the switch) will go full time with Lee. Honestly, I am not sure he’s ready to be the full time starter. Of course, all of this is complicated by the presence of highly-touted, highly athletic true freshman Jordan Jefferson, who at 6’5″ and 210 pounds is a big dual threat guy. Les keeps promising that Jefferson is going to get some time, but except for three insignificant snaps against North Texas, we are still waiting.
3. Are there any areas of the LSU team that seem weak compared to others?
I think the secondary is a question mark. They are breaking in 3 new starters, and no Craig Steltz/LaRon Landry/Jack Hunt-type guy back there to really quarterback the whole thing. They are tough, and they hit hard, but I think they could be vulnerable in coverage. It would not surprise me at all to see Mississippi State (yes, Mississippi State) hit some significant plays in the passing game. That is, of course, if they can get time to throw. But take heart, North Texas found some space on the secondary.
4. Is LSU looking to run the table in the SEC this year?
The key here is scheduling. After the Mississippi State game, LSU has an off date. Between that off date and November 15th, which was originally scheduled to be an off date but now has the postponed Troy game, there are five Saturdays. The five opponents, in order: at Florida, at South Carolina, Georgia, Tulane, and Alabama. Captain Obvious alert – that stretch will define the season. Personally, I think LSU fans are over optimistic to assume that the Tigers will emerge from that 5-0, if they go 4-1 (as long as the one isn’t Tulane, and please, please God please don’t let it be Bama) I will be extremely happy. If they do somehow run the table, there will be lot’s of “We’re gonna repeat as National Champions talk.” But I don’t think that will happen. Check the history, LSU doesn’t contend nearly as effectively in even-numbered years.
5. Give me your prediction for this game (be gentle).
Honestly, I don’t think this is going to be as big a blowout as some do. I think LSU will score in the thirties, but I also think MSU will score. I am looking at something like 35-10, maybe 31-14, somewhere in that range. If LSU can’t pass, however, we could be looking at another Auburn-MSU type score. And don’t forget, last year LSU’s two losses came the week after big SEC games. The Tigers could be suffering a let-down even with the Mad Hatter at the healm.
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