Why is the running game so bad this year?

Yes.. we're very weak from guard to guard. Youth is a big factor in this (it's not the only factor, though). I'm still not sure why we didn't take a JUCO offensive linemen in last years class..

 

Let's say Les bought the ticket that won the lottery... do you think he'd split the winnings with the seniors on the LSU football team? Of course not. Same thing with how he approaches his four-million-dollar dream job... he's not going to jeopardize that just to hook up some seniors on the LSU team with a chance at making money in the NFL.

As for your recommendation to increase the linemen spacing aka Tex Tech style... the obvious problems with that are:

1) if one of your O-line guys gets beat in pass protection, then there is no help, and

2) you leave big gaps for linebackers to shoot through and have a direct hit at your QB and/or RB (and LSU plays in a conference with SEC linebackers).

This is why it not common for teams in the NCAA or NFL to do what Texas Tech does. It works for Texas Tech because they feel their OL guys are such good blockers that they can still stop that kind of penetration (for ex, Texas Tech's 6-7, 344 Brandon Carter is considered one of the best in the NCAA, he was an All-American last year as a junior... and they have several OL guys taken in the NFL drafts since 2005 (OG Manny Ramirez, C EJ Whitley, OG Dylan Gandy, and OT Daniel Loper). Also note that Leach and Texas Tech didn't start doing the wide-gap thing until they started getting good talent on their OL... before that Leach used a two-back formation as his primary one for passing downs. On top of all that, Leach is a very rare offensive mega-genius.

 

If we can do that consistently we might start tallying up some points.

 

That and if JJ can step up and show he has what it takes to put his team in contention for the SEC Championship. Remember, even Matt Mauck struggled before the light-bulb went off for him (and Mauck had more experience and was much older than JJ at this point). Note how having Drew Brees makes life a lot easier for the OL and the RBs of the N.O. Saints.

 

All good points. Had no idea the line was so young? W/out a FB I can see how they struggled. Makes me think why LSU never saw this coming? Disappointing that no one was ready to fill these spots in. Oh well they are about to get a crash course on blocking in these next 4 weeks. Good luck Tiger OL!!! May you grow up fast.