September 14, 2009

Some observations and notes from the game and the Les Miles press conference:

1) As noted in the postgame, LSU is searching for an offensive identity.  Eleven different players touched the ball on Saturday, and while it's nice to have an opponent have to prepare for that much stuff, it's tough to have a "go to" guy when it's a crucial third down. 

Last season, even in their darkest time, LSU could turn around and hand the ball to Charles Scott.  Even when teams knew it was coming, they had a hard time stopping it.  Through two games, the Tigers have had a hard time playing smash-mouth football out of the I.

2) The best thing Jordan Jefferson is doing right now is not getting LSU beat.  He may have very low yards per attempt and completion, but the lowest number is in the turnover column: zero.  He definitely made progress from week one to two.

3) The play of the defense was much improved, the defensive line in particular.  John Chavis made adjustments at halftime last week, and the Tigers were better in the second half.  He made adjustments this week, and LSU allowed less than half as many yards as they did in Seattle.  They sacked Larry Smith three times, and got a key interception.

LSU's young defensive ends did some nice things in Pep Levingston's absence, and Rahim Alem played his most complete game as a Tiger.  LSU still missed too many tackles (a couple by Kelvin Sheppard were real killers), but they got better in that regard as well.

4) The punting improved, but must improve still.  Derek Helton got off his best boot of the season when LSU needed it most, but he must become consistent in that regard.  Josh Jasper has been very good through two games.  Not only is he perfect on FG's and XP's, but his kickoffs have had good hangtime into the correct quadrant.

5) R.J. Jackson had a career game.  He'll continue to play, and maybe have his playing time increase, even if he never catches another pass.  Why?  He is far and away the best blocking WR that LSU has.

6) RB Richard Murphy is likely lost for the season with a knee injury.

7) LSU's game with Mississippi State on September 26 in Starkville will be an 11:21 AM kickoff.