Here is the deal with this O line and @LaSalleAve nailed it with this observation. Zach Mettenberger. They seemed better than they were last year because teams couldn't load up on the run. The all world wr corps didn't hurt either. If miles doesn't learn to have some faith and trust in someone to air it out a little then nothing changes this year.
When LSU goes to the nickel, it leaves us with two linebackers, neither of which can line up in the middle and still cover spread receivers. If the defensive line continues to be so weak and and fails to keep the blockers off those two, we will not be able to play so much nickel. And we will continue to be weak inside.
I hate that Harris spends the majority of his time on the sideline. I hate that Jennings can't read through his progressions. I hate that he stares down his primary receiver. There's a bunch of stuff I'm hating about LSU football right now. I hate that I'm posting on this thread. Oh, the hell with it!
When you look at Les's choice at QB and his offensive philosophy by the on field numbers it is obvious that he makes his decisions on something else that in-game production. He is one of those 'gut' guys, not stat guys. Harris has a small percentage of the plays in passing and running. His completion % is better and his yards and yards per attempt are better in rushing. Those stats should warrant more plays in the direction of Harris. Pass Att......%comp......Rush Att.........YardsJennings .......78 ............51.3.............35..............67 Harris............16.............68.8..............11.............72 Team totals also show Miles offensive philosophy is not aligned with the on field production. Team Totals....Att.....Yards Pass...............95.......983 Rush.............192.......768 LSU is only passing 33% of the time but picking up more yardage. LSU is leaving yards on the field. A more balanced approach would improve both the pass and run. Defenses line up expecting the run. SEC defenses will win the battle if they know LSU is going to run 66% of the time. These stats alone show what we are dealing with and how it isn't going to change. Les Miles is a Rationalist. Data means nothing to him.
I agree that this does not seem to be the highest football IQ for a LSU team. The problem is they rely too much on athleticism. It is a difficult mold to break when that has gotten you this far, but now you are playing kids with as much or similar ability. I do feel though the coaches must adjust sooner. The coaches also must change the schemes to fit the players. I understand we are young. I understand we may drop a game that we probalby should not. That is OK. I have issue though with seeing LSU playing like they did in the first three quarters of the UW and Miss St games. I do fee we do need to start looking at bigger, stronger DT's and bigger LB's.
I'm ok with small speedy linebackers on the outside, Mike should be a big dude though. Obviously the game has shifted to high powered offenses. Which is why it is so important for LSU's offense to be balanced. From here on out people are going to load the box and dare us to throw. If we don't our D is gonna be on the field for long periods of time. If we can sustain drives we are all but dead in the water and won't win an SEC game this year.
Not at the expense of signing coachable kids with some mental agility as well. Especially since the best ones will no longer have the luxury of redshirting to get smarter and stronger and still having four years of eligibility to get some experience as a reserve before being expected to start in the SEC.
You can't blame it all on the kids when since the '11 SECCG Miles and staff have not done a good job with coaching up the kids. I'm sorry, but eventually you have to look at the coach.
