3rd down - Not the ONLY stat that matters, just the most important

LSU wasn't actually very good against Ole Miss on third down and only converted 5 of 13.

In the last three games LSU is about 45%, which is well below where Bama is for the season.

That's kinda my point though. I don't think LSU will be able to beat Bama by being as bad on third down as they were against Wisconsin and Ole Miss.

As to those stats, LSU has played the tougher schedule to this point and is improving.

i think it's the most underrated stat in football.

go back and look at the the better LSU offenses recently (under Mett, flynn, JR) all were good on 3rd down but mostly bc those QB's can make up for 3rd and long with their ability to complete passes.

people complain about our offense now, but what cam and miles are doing is trying to put LSU in favorable down and distance situations especially setting up third and short. where you force defenses to be ready for run or the pass. bc none of the QB's have the seasoning of mett as a Sr or flynn as a sr or JR as a jr, you need AJ to be in a 3rd and 1-3 yds. situation.

so much depends on the qb though. if you're given the option of a 3rd and 9 with mett or a 3rd and 2 with AJ fans would probably split down the middle or possibly even skew to mett.

it speaks to the youth at the QB position right now and the ability diff as well.

i really do think that a player like harris cna be like a quicker rohan davey and Jennings at his ceiling like flynn. fans would take either of those in a heartbeat, or they should at least.

quote:

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if you're given the option of a 3rd and 9 with mett or a 3rd and 2 with AJ fans would probably split down the middle or possibly even skew to mett.

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Why would anybody take AJ over Mett on a 3rd and long? He struggles to complete even the most basic of passes and he won't run. There can be 20 yards of open space in front of the guy but he'll start running then pull up and overthrow the receiver. JJ was a terrible passer but at least he could make plays with his feet. AJ can do neither.

We also weren't pressured to make third downs. In 2013 I'm sure we risked a lot more third down plays since defense was more a liability than the strength it's been the majority of our season.

Go the extra step.

What are the stats for the last three to four games. That will help indicate the trend. Plus, if factors out the powderpuff games for both teams.

Or you can factor out the powderpuff games all together.

Or you can factor out pass happy teams..

and so on.

Absolute stats can give some insight, but just one stat...the "most important one"... can lead you astray.