Good, Bad, and Ugly in Starkville

We were much more balanced yesterday. Dupree didn't help the passing stats by dropping two very catchable balls that would have been big gains.

Harris made two very bad throws to Dural that, had they been on target, would have been TDs.

It was not from a lack of trying to be balanced.

 

46 rushing plays vs 17 passing plays is just not balanced. Miles has come out and said he wanted the team to be more balanced. We do play a pretty easy schedule until the Florida game. Hopefully, we can devolop the timing with Harrris and WR's.

 

No, it's not very balanced, but when you are able to run up over 400 rushing yards and eat clock in a brutally hot game, you'd be a fool not to do it.

 

We won't have a 38-7 lead going into the 4th quarter in those games. It will be important to keep drives alive and keep our understaffed defense off the field.

 

You could have 300 rushing yards and 200 passing yards and still not be a fool.

 

When you're gashing them on the ground, why risk passing; interceptions; stopping the clock and giving less time to defense. To me it was the perfect game for a QB in the stage ours is in.

His biggest problem also one of his biggest assets. He has a strong arm. He'll learn to take a little zip off of the throws and they won't sail over the receivers.

 

Devoloping timing b/w Harris and WR's. Having Harris learn to take a little zip off -- nothing like game time experience. Letting one of the best WR groups, we ever had, catch some passes.

I am sure the WR's did not come to LSU just to run down the field and block. That game was well in hand, and more time could have meant more rotation on defense, more points, and more experience.

 

you dont have to be balanced when you average 10 yards a pop. you have to be more balanced when youre punting 8 of 9 possessions like last week. these were 2 different game plans even though the approach will always be similar. running the ball.

timing is more relevant to balance than the actual stats. this is why stats do lie. theres a feel to each game beyond the base numbers. Miles could have easily run the clock out from the 2q on running if he chose to. but he wanted to get harris some work. and give other teams more to prepare for. id say both were a success although harris wasnt near as accurate as he normally is. throwing the ball even more would have just extended the game.


LSU balance is not okie state balanced. and never will be under Miles. play action on 1st down just a handful of times when youre mauling guys upfront is much more effective than a big 12 team that poses little run threat. just that little bit of hesitation often allows fournette to turn a short gain into a td and a db into a pretzel.

Harris' biggest improvement is his composure. I dont care about his numbers as much as I do his ability to lead this team by playing smart. Getting them to the line, no blown timeouts, throwing the ball away when needed, tucking and running when it calls for it. hes seemingly doing most of this like a vet already. the passing is natural to him and it will come. hes light years ahead of jennings in the talent dept. now if he can keep his composure and his passes down this team can possibly choose its destiny.


but BH will be needed more once this dline gets even thinner and/or wears down as the season progresses. i think thats the main worry if we're being honest. as defense does indeed win championships.

 

Childish, right. That’s why 5 people liked it, because childish is so appreciated by them on the board.

I’ll take out the sarcasm and make it simple for you.
The fact that Harris was able to go into MSU and perform like he did was not a small thing. He’s a young guy leading a young team into a tough environment and he handled it well. Part of that has to be attributed to, and I don’t say this to piss you off, good coaching. We saw the results of good coaching again against Auburn. It was more than just LF7, the whole team looked good.

Two SEC wins against teams that beat us last year. We are fielding sophomore and true freshmen running backs; a QB on his 2nd and 3rd start; and we have no turnovers. Consider the possibility that the coaches actually know as much as you do about football (again, I’m not trying to upset you) and they thought about having Harris throw more passes. And they consciously decided to give their very inexperienced QB the best chance for success in managing the game. It’s like it was a plan to win the game or something. Imagine that. And it worked.

So yes, it’s good to question; and constructive criticism is always needed. But it’s OK to point out the thinks that work. That way you don’t change the wrong stuff.

To directly answer your question – of course I’d like to score more points.