LSU has looked very lethargic with the exception of the running game. The crazy part though is after this week, this lethargic team is sitting behind 4 other teams that have basically sleepwalked their way to an undefeated season thus far as well. Ohio State has squeaked by 2 teams that were pretty terrible. Michigan State could have very well lost to Purdue today. TCU should have been beat a week ago by TTU, and played a really bad game in week 1. Baylor I think had a really close game early too. Michigan State plays Ohio State I think and Baylor plays TCU. If this team wakes up, can figure the defense out, and have some sort of success throwing the ball, LSU has a shot.
The top 10 got a bloody nose this week. Not worried about whats on top so much as what's coming up the rear. South click on the road is gonna be pretty telling.
As always, November is when it all matters anyway. Even if LSU eeks into top 5, the key will still be that late OCT-NOV stretch of games we have. I have a good feeling about this team. It's the first time in CLMs tenure here that he has his dream OL and RB who finishes runs and puts it in the end zone. By the time we get our tough slate of games, our passing game will be a bit more polished and dependable, and our D will be good enough. Clearly, we don't have the D or STs of 2011, but our offense is much more dependable, and can take us to the promise land, my friend.
I think a lot of the issues are coaching related. There is is too much talent, youth or not to struggle like this. The OL has blown open holes for Fournette, but many runs also go for very little. A lot of those yards are because of his power to shed tackles. THe special teams are a joke. Something has to change there and soon. Miles also needs to get on Steele. If he wants his jobs he has to step up with some damn adjustments.
We still have a lot to clean up, apparently. Quinn, Dupre and Dural must not put in the extra time that Odell and Jarivs did. I remember reading where Odell said they'd set the machine and even practice one-handers.
Would you consider the problems Ohio State is having coaching issues? They beat Indiana by 7 points and Northern Illinois by 7 points. Neither of those games were a sure win until the final seconds.
I think in their case obviously some of it is a lack of focus, which can be put on coaching. I think OSU is having a lull after coming out of nowhere to win the title.
I think in large part we need to come out with an attitude of playing to win. I think the conservative play calling makes it difficult to get your head in the game when you know you're not going to get touches. How can your QB have faith when he knows you don't? That said, players also have to step up BIG TIME. Harris can't keep missing these long strikes or holding on too long. The receivers have to make catches. If not sit some asses down. As for the D I think some of it is evaluations over the last few seasons were off. Plus the lack of adjustments or changing schemes. I have no idea what is wrong with special teams, that is usually a strength of LSU.
I just see an overall lack of intensity on this team right now, and they are playing down to the competition these past two weeks. After last night's game, Fournette called out the team for essentially not taking EMU seriously (sorry, I can't find the link right now -- it may have been on nola.com or the theadvocate.com). He's right. All we can hope for is that they step it up starting next week with SEC play kicking back in.
