re: We can't win if we don't run well

quote:

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Their philosophy is to take away the part of your offensive game that you do well. That forces a team to beat them in ways they aren't built to win. That is the perfect formula for beating an LSU team. That is how Auburn and Mississippi State did it. That is how Ole Piss will try to do it.

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Great insight there. So basically OM has the same approach as every other defense in the country, take away what an offense does well.

Of course they're going to try to force LSU to beat them through the air. The reality is that LSU just isn't going to try to do that. They are going to line up with a power running game and try to get a few big plays in the passing game. There are however a few disadvantages to "loading the box" on defense:

1. If the RB breaks through the line, there are very few people on the second and third level to prevent a big gain.

2. Someone is going to be man-to-man against a LSU WR. For all the criticism he has taken Jennings has shown he has good touch and accuracy on the deep ball, even when guys are fairly well covered.

History has shown that we shouldn't expect anything different from LSU unless OM jumps out to a large lead. Simply put, the defense has to keep the OM offense at bay throughout the game to allow the LSU offense to wear down OM in the running game, or hit a big play or two in the few chances they take in the passing game.

The two variables are forcing turnovers and making big ST plays. Even with an ultra-conservative offense, LSU is tough to beat when they're doing either or both.