QB: C+ Protection for Harris was pretty abysmal much of the day. He isn't throwing any dangerous passes which is good to see and he had a couple of passes that were dropped. It's going to be tough going forward for him to ever get into any kind of rhythm given LSU's propensity to run the ball 70 percent of the time. RB: A+ Save for a couple of back breaking penalties, Leonard Fournette could have amassed 360 yards on just 28 carries. He has become the defacto leader for the Heisman trophy in just 3 games. He had very little blocking all game long, accomplishing a good bit of his yardage on his own. It was amazing to see. WR: C- There were at least 2 dropped passes and Travin Dural doesn't know how to line up on a called running play, which is tragic. This group will have trouble getting into any rhythm going forward as LSU refuses to try to develop it's passing game and become better balanced. TE: D One of the big runs by Fournette was called back due to a holding penalty from this unit. No catches on the day. OL: D This was simply a shitty effort by this unit against a run of the mill defense in Syracuse. Fournette largely did his damage on his own. Pass protection was god awful. This unit may be reading the press clippings and becoming complacent. Time to regroup. Several penalties that ended up stalling drives. DL: B This unit once again was very active and disruptive. It was great to see an interior lineman getting to the QB for a sack. Orgeron has done wonders for a unit who over the past 2 seasons has been largely ineffective. LB: C Senseless penalty by Jones gave Syracuse their final score of the game. DB: C- Not a good day for this unit, especially given the competition. Not sure Syracuse should have even completed a pass to any of it's receivers given the fact they played a QB that far down the depth chart. Jamal Adams once again with a brain cramp and lack of discipline on the deep pass for a touchdown by Syracuse. ST/K: D+ This unit would have graded out to an F, but the punt return for a touchdown saved them. LSU needs to find another punter. Tre White simply can't field a punt at the 2 yard line with the opposing team closing in on him. Coaching: C- Another missed opportunity to try and be better balanced on offense. Bradley Dale Peveto needs to get his head out of his ass. Coming off an emotional revenge game vs Auburn, LSU did win on the road against a very hungry and proud football program in Syracuse. LSU continues to hurt itself with many senseless penalties.
Peveto has proven he should be employed elsewhere. Sadly, we keep failures around till the end of the season only to help them find employment elsewhere. Till then, it is what it is. ST should get an F just for keeping him around.
Late hits don't necessarily have to occur out of bounds. We've dealt with picky late hits on QBs for several years now, not sure why anyone was surprised by that call. It's almost an impossible job by pass rushers these days, no doubt.
So Jones was just supposed to let the QB turn upfield and get more yards? Late hit out of bounds means the QB is supposed to be out of bounds.
What made it all the more infuriating was the non-call earlier in the 2nd half when Harris was already OOB, and the Syracuse player wrapped up and slammed him to the turf. Certainly some of the penalties called on LSU were legit, but there were numerous suspect calls, and how do you explain Syracuse only getting 4 penalties -- they got away with a bunch.
What pisses me off most about the offensive play calling is that we have a great drive going, that's when they decide to try these stupid gimmick runs and pass the ball. I'm on record, I like the defensive coaching changes, especially O. I prefer what I see thus far from Steele than Chavis. However he needs to do a better job with adjustments once we start playing better, more balanced O's. One thing I'll give Chavis is that he did make adjustments. I like the more aggressive nature of Steele. Agree about Adams, he has a world of talent but needs to settle down. I think he is trying too hard to make the big play, rather than make the play that is needed. Thomas also looks like a weak spot in coverage, Jackson has looked very impressive. There is no excuse for three TD's being called back in three games. These penalties are killing drives. LSU coaches must step up on bringing focus to the team. Overall though the grades are pretty accurate.
@islstl (sigh) On a day 7 was just a stupid penalty away from 300 yards rushing, another complaint that the offense isn't balanced. Come on, Harris may have attempted only 16 passes, but he was also sacked twice, tucked and ran on 2 other occasions, and improv-ed Fournette into a 40 yard carry. That's 21 pass plays called, which most people seem to think is about where this offense should be, considering the alternative we have to passing. If you want to focus on penalties and poor defense and call out the coaching for that, I'll listen, but there was little to complain about in the play calling yesterday.
I think the Tigers deserved these low grades, it was a sloppy game. I would give a C+ to the offensive line. After watching the game again and focusing on them, they actually were making big holes. Each of those long Fournette runs were him darting through a hole in the line and getting loose in the backfield at full speed. They just got too many penalties and were coasting in pass protection. This is a class A line and I don't think they dropped to a D . . . but they damn sure underperformed. They need their butts kicked for allowing three sacks by that guy who must be fired.
