A few interesting tidbits from the Mizzou game. The LSU offense: Threw the ball on 40% of 1st downs. Lined up 3+ WR's on 33% of snaps. Lined up 3+ WR's on 1st down 12 times. (Just 3 such snaps vs. Wisconsin).
As an Offensive Coordinator, the scheme employed should always start with 2 things - 1.) What is your QB good at and/or what does he like. 2.) What does your OLine block well. Etling doesn't have a strong arm, but he does have a quick release. So the quick, short passes are great for him. It also spreads the ball around and keeps the defense guessing. Our Oline is pretty good at downhill blocking, when the matchups are even. Spreading the ball around keeps the opponent from stacking the box. I thought what we did Saturday against Mizzou was perfect.... and the play calls came in quickly. We really got into a rhythm and kept Mizzou guessing.
I think Etling has a strong arm, just not very good timing on the long throws. If he get's more accurate with his timing and distance, he'll do fine. A lot of his long passes seem to be overthrown (one even went clear into the stands LOL).
Attacked Mizzous weaknesses rather than just doing what the chalkboard said. We were running right at their best pass rusher all night with pretty stout success. Guice is just a freak though and Williams is really coming on. A lot of talent there making awesome gains on simple plays many backs would not have made. Guice has downfield vision that is not taught with the take-off speed that makes it hard for defenders to get their arms around. Dude really is a freak. Moving Dupre to the slot has been nothing but progress for that kid and Chark, jesus, pretty high bar set for that kid. I think the health of the O-line is gonna make or break this season.
Keep in mind Etling has been riding the pine for a while so it will take time for that long pass to come. The accuracy and touch on the long ball in real game situations only comes with that kind of repetition. Give it time.
Especially when you have playmakers on the outside who can build up their YAC. Welcome to college football LSU
This proves we don't need an offensive minded coach. We just need better preparation, execution, and play calling. How you call a game is the key. LSU broke tendencies by throwing more on first down and using different formations. I also love how they used far more players than under Miles.
Didn't really matter what we did under Miles cause if we were winning, he kicked it into "Prevent" offense. It's why the games pretty much always ended up the same.
