LSU's passing problems involve more than just not utilizing play-action. They have a fundamental lack of knowledge or "will" for the passing game.

First, I don't think they know what a "Left Tackle" is suppose to look like, or good pass blocking for that matter. It's evidenced by the past couple of years, and the pounding of every quarterback that's played, unless they just threw int's to keep from being hit.

Second, the limiting of the routes. LSU has all but given up throwing passes towards the middle of the field. This would be the "sweet spot" for play-action passes because you suck the linebackers up and create space to throw the ball. However, LSU is reluctant to go there, opting instead to go deep down the sideline on play-action. This is fundamentally unsound because cornerbacks primarily cover the pass, not the run. They back-up first and don't respond to the threat of the run like linebackers. Thus, this gives the appearance that LSU's wideouts run either "outs," "slants," "hooks," "post," "corners," or "go's." All of these routes take place on the sideline and they don't challege a defensive backs ability to move laterally; thus, the lack of separation with our receivers running their routes.

Third, the lack of passing concepts. I have not really seen some of the basic passing concepts like flooding zones or running routes to the weakness of them; running away from "man-to-man" or using "picks" and "rubs" to create space. I don't see them beating the "blitz" by throwing where it came from. I haven't seen them try to isolate receivers on linebackers, safties, or just the defenses worst cover guy.

These are basic concepts and I know them from just watching football. LSU doesn't really use them, and if they do, they don't use them consistently. I'll be fair and say that I saw them "flood" zones a few times against Washington, and that "Double Post" play, where Mett overthrew OBJ, that's a type of "flood." However, the offense doesn't do these things consistently because it lacks coordination.

This post was edited on 10/22/12 at 4:24 pm