Still similar to mine after AZ but added last two. Pass Protection And this is still not facing a top rate defensive line yet. Hard time picking up blitzes. Pass Rush from 4 Down Lineman only And have not faced a top rate O-Line. We get there with blitzes but need to be able to get to QB with just the 4 of DL. Kicking game 2 of 3 games with problems Turnovers 2 of 3 games with major problems None of this has cost us a game because we have played crappy teams, but if we do not improve these areas(particularly turnovers and pass protection) it will be a long day this Sat.
Putting the ball on the ground is the biggest problem I see. Turnover are what can win or lose the big game.
Problems LSU has: 1. Inconsistency 2. Mental mistakes These are fixable problems. The only question is how quick and how good the fix wil be. Problems LSU does NOT have: 1. Lack of talent 2. Poor coaching 3. Unfavorable schedule 4. Lack of depth These are the kind of problems you are stuck with. Think about the Curley Hallman-era games. LSU doesn't have to deal with these problems. I feel good about Nick dealing with these fixable problems.
If LSU is as focused as they were for the Arizona game then we shouldn't have a problem being mentally ready.
Do you guys HONESTLY think they were focused last night? Do you guys HONESTLY think that they weren't looking past WIU? Do you guys HONESTLY think that they didn't have injuries that kept a lot of talent off the field last night? Randall Gay-Four Year Starter Senior who can play Safety and CB. Kirston Pittman-Designated Pass Rusher who showed some signs against UA. Michael Clayton-Sat the 2nd half. Jack Hunt-The QB on defense who missed the 2nd half. Cory Webster-Was injured and played through it, then left the field only to return later to play? Ben Wilkerson-The starting center in charge of all the checks? Then you say that Freshmen kickers must act like they've been here 5 years? I'm sorry guys, but last night was a classic example of a sandwich game. We were looking past this team, and we STILL throttled them. In years past, we would have won ala-Houston in 1996, by a 35-34 count, with a furious and desperate 4th quarter comeback. Here, we just decided to put our mouthpieces in, put our heads on a swivel, and quickly and decisively put the team away. We just had to refocus on this week, instead of next week...
I also think Western came out and played harder than some of those guys expected. Western would be able to beat ULM and give Arizona a good game if not beat them outright. They are the best team in 1-AA for a reason. Looking at the stats on paper it looks like LSU played a great game but being there in person they just didn't seem as sharp as they could have been.
"Then you say that Freshmen kickers must act like they've been here 5 years?" No I saying they need to learn how to kick a field goal. It will cost us a game this year if they do not improve.
Turnovers are killing us, if we continue to turn the ball over like we have, a good team will take advantage of it. That has been my only concern with this team, if we could take better care of the ball, we can beat anyone. Georgia and LSU match up well, both teams are equally talented . . . but things like kicking and turnovers will decide the game.
In addition to looking ahead to UGA, I think some of our men also were still congratulating themselves for thoroughly dismantling Arizona. When they awoke today and found out that Oregon did close to the same thing to the Mildcats, then they probably realized that the 59 -13 drubbing was not that big a deal. Having acquired some perspective and with a big time opponent coming here, I feel that they will play well next Saturday !!
Addai has never been fumble prone until last night. Lets hope he got it out of his system. Hendersons fumble was his first ever at LSU and Mauck didn't throw an interception last night. Turnovers will happen, especially against the good teams but I'm not too worried about it unless it becomes a habit.
