By Brant Daughtry
One More Tiger Bowl
LSU is in its second year of the Brian Kelly era, and it’s not off to as good a performance as last year. Kelly was a chronic under-performer during his decade-plus at Notre Dame, winning games regularly, but always failing when the lights were brightest. At LSU, the thought was that a better recruiting ground, better resources, (and, if you believe him, lower academic standards), could lend Kelly what he needed to win a ring. In year, one, Kelly led LSU to a 10-win season, and won the SEC West for the right to lose to Georgia in the championship game. That certainly lent itself to Kelly’s potential.
However, this season, things have gotten off to a rocky start. LSU has already lost two games, including a beat down against Florida State in week one, and giving up 55 points in a shootout loss to Ole Miss. They expected to compete for a championship this year, but at this point seem to be in a fight to get to a New Year’s Six bowl.
Their problem, it must be said, does not come on the offensive side of the ball. Their offense, quarterbacked by Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels, is averaging 530 yards and 42 points per game. They aren’t just good offensively, they’re a juggernaut, and Daniels is the reason. At this point, it’s easy to call him the best quarterback in the SEC, and if they were still in the hunt for a title, he would definitely be in Heisman conversation.
Unfortunately, for as formidable as the LSU offense is, the defense is anything but. They’re laden with talent, and yet they average giving up 360 yards a game and 25 points. If you remove an outlying paycheck game against Grambling in which they only gave up 10, those numbers get even more lopsided. They’re the college football team that’s infuriating to watch as a fan, but can’t miss as a neutral observer. Every game they play figures to be close, and include lots of fireworks.
Players to Watch For:
Wide Receiver Malik Nabers, #8, and Brian Thomas Jr, #11- Every good quarterback needs a favorite target, and Jayden Daniels has two. Nabers and Thomas have combined for over 1,300 yards this season, and have scored 15 touchdowns between the two of them. They are both long and explosive receivers, capable of big plays any time they touch the ball.
Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr, #4- Perkins is an interesting athlete. Last season, he reeked havoc on offenses from the edge position, but this year LSU has elected to move him to the linebacker position to let him run a little more. I understand the idea, but I think it’s slowing him down trying to think as much. LSU has moved him around a little, including playing him more at that natural position, but I still don’t know if I like him standing up in the middle at all, even is his speed is threatening wherever he goes. In any event, he’s THE guy you have to watch out for. He might be the most athletic defender in college football. He has 28 tackles, including a couple of sacks, and has an interception to go along with it. He’s the ultimate “see ball-get ball” defender.
I have no idea how this game will go. Historically, Auburn has been pretty good coming off a bye week, but LSU is coming off a big win over an undefeated Missouri team and feeling pretty good about themselves. I have no doubt that LSU will score. As good as Auburn’s defense is, I’m not convinced there’s a defense in America that can shut down LSU. This will be more about containment than anything else.
The much more interesting story will come when Auburn has the ball. The offense has been middling at best, and atrocious at worst. But, the same thing can be said about LSU’s defense. It’s the ultimate battle of stoppable force versus movable object. From an Auburn perspective, you’re hoping this can be a breakout game. Against a team that allows a ton of points, coming off a bye, maybe you can figure some things out and use this as a springboard. Unfortunately, LSU’s defense might be thinking the same thing. This game will be very interesting to watch, and nighttime in Baton Rogue will not yield a predictable football game.
