I've watched all the fallout from the Tennessee game and looked at the stats, etc... LSU has played two top 25 teams, and has given up an average of 30.5 points in those games. I've come to the conclusion that it will boil down for LSU to either fix the defense or struggle against the better SEC teams remaining on the schedule. A great defense will win SEC titles. A great defense separates the teams that get BCS bids from those that won't. A great defense will help a team get ranked high enough to get into a NC game even with one loss. So, can the LSU defense get on track before it is too late?
My thoughts exactly. Even if we see marginal improvements on the defensive side, it'll still take time to learn Pelini's system....and to be honest, I think you'll see even better production from the defense once Pelini's got a year under his belt (and for all those that don't like that last statement, "get used to it" because he's not going anywhere after 1 year...so save yourselves some heartache and just chill).
If Crooms', thus far unsuccessful, West Coast offense piles up yardage against the LSU defense, then I'd say it's time to re-evaluate whether it's the learning curve, or the system itself.
I'm hopeful of a much improved team this week, but I'm still not confident until I see improvements by our coaching staff.
LSU has played only two games, both against Top-15 teams. Implementing a new defense takes some time and LSU did not get to do it against the usual cupcake openers. How much better would this defense look if it had played games in Georgia's schedule? Boise State, South Carolina, Louisiana-Monroe, and Miss State. State and Vanderbilt will tell us more about the LSU defense.
Unfortunately, LSU didn't have the luxury of the North Texas warm-up game as planned. I felt the same way about the combination of the transition to the new UGA DC, Martinez, and Hawkins coming in for the first game. Perhaps too much, too soon, starting into the season. So far, so good, as neither Hawkins or Spurrier put more than 15 points on the board. I guess what sticks in my memory is the 17-10 win against UGA in Baton Rouge. The LSU defense won that game. Especially because it kept LSU in the game until the LSU offense got rolling. And it was the same defense that made the difference in the polls that allowed LSU to get to the Sugar Bowl. That defense gave up an average of around 10 points a game. So Red, two games to get it together before Florida comes in. This is going to be real interesting....
OH, THIS IS A GASSER!!! I'll tell you who doesn't have the answers right now, and they won't have them later: LSU Coaching! LESS SMILES & PELLINI THE MAGNIFICENT LSU has seen the last Top 5 Ranking during the Les Miles era. Les has already squandered his inheritance.
