re: LSU D vs. Loaded Spread

I don't know the nuances of spread offenses. Of course, the basic premise of any spread is to position offensive players on the field during each play so that defenders are stretched thin vertically and/or horizontally... giving offensive playmakers better odds to make plays in space against a single defender.

Baylor may run some plays that combine routes in unusual ways that puts more pressure on DBs... or maybe they just go five wide on every play. In any case, there's nothing new under the sun and I doubt they're doing something all that different from what Leach, Mumme, Urban Meyer, Chip Kelly/Helfrich, Rich Rodriguez and others have done. Most likely, they're just lucky enough to have the right combo of players (QB, WRs, RBs and OL) who have good chemistry this year and they're all executing well. That's it. Just look at what the absence of Mariotta... and probably a few other players... has done to Oregon this year.

As to whether LSU could stop it or not... maybe. Again, it's a matter of execution above all else. If LSU plans well and the players play their assignments well, they should be in a position to break up some pass plays, force some punts and maybe even a turnover or two. If they do that-- and if they tackle well(!!!), LSU can win.

Really, I could see it playing out like the Miss. St. game. If they can get to the QB and be disruptive like they were in the first half of that game, LSU's defense can slow down Baylor. If not, I can see Baylor getting in a rhythm the way Ms St did in the second half, and they'll dink and dunk their way down the field 5-10 yards a play if we're playing the deep routes well.

I haven't seen Baylor play, but from what I've seen of LSU, if LSU plays well, they can probably hold Baylor to anywhere from 7 to 17 points in the first half. I would expect Baylor to have more success in the second half. If LSU plays like they did against Miss. St., giving up short gains and limiting big plays, Baylor won't drop 70 points on LSU, but might get another 20-30 points in the 2nd half, which suggests they might score anywhere from 27 to 47 points in the game.

The question then becomes: Would LSU be able to put up at least 30-50 points up to stay ahead? If all goes well, 30 shouldn't be a problem. If it's a shootout going well into the 40s, Baylor's chances are better.