LSU Florida was a matchup of near-equals. Two teams with good defenses and sloppy offenses. It was also played in Florida's very loud stadium. LSU did all of the things that tend to make a negative difference in games like this. Turnovers, drops, bad tackling, and being pussies on a couple of 4th and 1s.
Coaching, refs, and dropped passes certainly didn't do us any favors, but no one thought we were going undefeated. The team is still young and about a year away. I'm not giving up on this season, by any means, but we're not a playoff caliber team yet. I don't even think we really have an identity on offense yet. We're going to lose a couple of more along the way growing as a team and remain competitive then we know we're on the right track.
There were many factors in LSU losing. From conservative play calling, to crucial penalties, to very poor tackling, etc. However, the biggest reason LSU lost this game was our line play is not at all where it needs to be. UF clearly won the LOS play. The OL either blows open a big hole for a big gain, or they get stuffed. We rarely have a drive where we have those consistent 3-5 yard gains. The pass blocking was better, but could still improve. The DL doesn't make enough plays. We don't have any dominant players. Years back, LSU had a second string that was nearly as good as the starters, this year it's just not quite there. Missing Chaisson is huge, but still, this is LSU. We should have more studs than this. I'd like to see CEH get more touches, he's the most effective back. He has the best feet, is more elusive, and runs mad. People are quick to blame the backs, but Fournette or Guice would be struggling most of the time as well.
The clock in Joe Burrow's head must have been borrowed from Les Miles. Several times he should have either kept running or stepped up into the pocket to avoid a sack and he didn't. That said it is the job of the left tackle and RB to protect his blind side and they did a piss poor job of it. Charles might as well have been a matador allowing the bull to rush by and Brossette missed entirely on a couple more blocks.
If we had Fournette or Guice Saturday we win the game. Neither Brosette nor CEH have the speed or the power of Fournette or Guice.
The defense only gave up 20 pts., and while there were certainly some deficiencies on defense, the biggest reasons we lost this game reside on the offensive side of the ball. The OL couldn't hold blocks, couldn't protect Burrow, struggled to open holes. WR's couldn't catch the ball when they were able to get separation. The turnovers. The penalties that killed momentum and/or drives. You aren't going to win many games when this is the theme on offense.
Couldn't agree more with your post. Dont leave out we were playing in their stadium and against a pretty veteran team with a good coach. In spite of all the glaring mistakes, injuries, sub par blocking and dropped passes we still could have won Saturday, that says a lot.
The fact that we were still in this game with a chance to win, in spite of these glaring deficiencies, says a lot about the defense and the guy who runs it. Especially when your offense gifts the other team with a pick 6.
