re: A look at Mississippi State and what LSU needs to do to walk away with a win

Agreed. We can’t get blitz heavy. I’m really talking more about dropping a DL into coverage and bringing a LB as one of the 3 or 4 rushers. If we blitz, it’s gotta be more exotic and only used very sparingly. They threw for 370 yards and ran for another 125 last year. But those passing yards came on 60+ attempts and they only scored 25 points and we won.

That’s the kind of game we’ll probably have to win. Though I’ve been scared of our lack of DL depth even before Smith went out. Btw, Wingo has probably been our defensive MVP so far. Gaye bing out the 1st half and BJ being out all game last week May have been a blessing because it got some guys some PT that we’re gonna have to count on Saturday and moving forward.

As usual Captain, appreciate the link and deets!


Definitely agree that our linebackers have to step up in coverage, gotta punish those crossing routes.

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getting our arms up to shut down throwing lanes and/or batting balls down

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Good point.

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Though I’ve been scared of our lack of DL depth even before Smith went out.

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This board said this was the best DL since 2011 and we had lots of depth.

Drop 8 in coverage

Let them eat b/w the 25s

Shorten the field and rely on your coverage skills

If the secondary and LBs are even average, you will win the game. But the "if" is the key

I trust we can zone them well enough to win as long as we don't turn the ball over

Agreed.

No turnovers is massively important. Limit their possessions. I hope I'm no jinxing it, but Daniels has been good at protecting the ball so far through the first two games. Maybe this is the area that Kelly and Denbrock trust him the most.

As long as they are moving the ball then uptempo is fine. Id much rather go fast for 10 plays than go slow for 3.

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It's really simple. The blueprint is out there. Anyone calling for pressure is an idiot.

Play 3 down who contain the run and drop 8 into coverage. Is it exciting? No. It works, though. Tighten up in the redzone and hold them to field goal attempts.

LSU's offense needs to score TDs to pressure State to pick up the tempo.

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I agree with this.

I also hope that our LBs and DBs are watching a lot of State film this week. Pre-snap they have to get into defensive positions that goad their WRs and Rogers into routes our defense will know they will run. With that knowledge, be selective, but jump those routes and get some pass breakups and hopefully a couple of interceptions.

Tacklin' is key. Rogers is going to complete at least 30 passes. Just accept that as a fact and game plan accordingly. Like last year, it is going to be frustrating watching LSU defend by rushing only 3 because the QB will have all day to throw at times. But the goal is to either force MSU into a mistake or wait until the get inside the 20, where the field is more condensed, then force them to take FGs.

Last year LSU was pretty disciplined to start. Eventually LSU got up 21-3 in the 3rd quarter before MSU had a good drive to make it 21-10. LSU scored again to make it 28-10. Then Ed panicked. He started rushing 4 because he was tired of watching Rogers sit in the backfield all day without pressure. Shock of all shocks considering the defense mastermind Ed is, MSU quickly took advantage and easily drove down field on 2 TD drives to make it 28-25 and force LSU to survive an onsides kick.

It may not be the game LSU wants to play the rest of the season. It probably won't be the defense LSU plays the rest of the season. But the reason Leach has had great success at "lesser" programs is because he takes you out of your game and forces you to make mistakes out of frustration from watching his offense complete pass after pass.

Hell no!! It never rains in Tiger Stadium!!