When a 17-point win doesn’t really feel like a 17-point win
If we’re looking strictly at LSU’s current ranking in the AP Poll, 14th, that would imply they’re a pretty good team. In fact they’d be a fringe playoff team just on that one number right next to their name!
But through four weeks LSU just feels…off. Their best performance was arguably in a losing effort against USC in Las Vegas. They’ve won three straight— and as Herman Edwards taught us “you play to win the game”—, but the wins over Nicholls, South Carolina, and now UCLA haven’t really inspired a lot of confidence as LSU heads into their final non-con game. Is LSU “good”? Right now I would say no, not really. Will they get to “good”? We’ll see…
0: Number of UCLA points allowed in the second half
Nobody’s going to get this 2024 LSU defense confused with the ‘85 Bears or the 2000 Ravens, but a second half shutout is a second half shutout. Before we hated him, Matt House earned praise in 2022 for his second half adjustments, and whatever Blake Baker and his staff came up with at halftime it clearly worked.
9: Number of UCLA receivers to catch a 10+ yard pass
I wouldn’t say one single Bruin receiver carved up the LSU secondary, but as a whole that group each got a lick in. Is death by a thousand cuts more appealing than one guy doing his Justin Jefferson in the Peach Bowl impression? I guess that depends on who you ask.
I think we’re at a point where we just have to accept that this 2024 LSU secondary is probably as good as it’s going to get. I’m not at practices, but I’m trusting that Corey Raymond and Jake Olsen are getting the most they possibly can out of a unit that just isn’t that talented. I think Ashton Stamps can be serviceable and it looks like you’ve got something in PJ Woodland and DaShawn Spears (DENHAM SPRINGS HIGH BAYBEE), but until the calvary arrives in the form of this 2025 recruiting class (DJ Pickett, Aiden Anding, and Kade Phillips) DBU’s return is on standby.
5: Number of LSU sacks
Best way to help out an iffy secondary? A havoc causing pass rush, and LSU was able, once again, to get after the quarterback.
Bradyn Swinson was able to add two more sacks to his total and is on pace to have the best pass-rushing season since Arden Key. Saivion Jones is playing his best ball as a Tiger. Jay’viar Suggs and true freshman Dom McKinley each recorded their first sacks in an LSU uniform.
Getting five sacks a game probably isn’t sustainable, especially with SEC play looming. But if Blake Baker and Kevin Peoples can scheme up some ways to get guys like Swinson and Jones home a couple of times a game, get some stops, and get Garrett Nussmeier the ball, maybe LSU can steal a game they’re not supposed to win.
3: LSU points off of turnovers
LSU forced a pair of UCLA turnovers but was only able to take advantage with one single field goal. LSU simply isn’t good enough to not make teams pay more severely. If Ole Miss or Alabama gift LSU a pair of turnovers and LSU only gets three total points off them, they’re losing those games. LSU’s margin for error isn’t big enough to squander extra opportunities.
99/999: Mason Taylor’s career receptions and yards
Statistically speaking Taylor is the greatest LSU tight end in program history. He’s now the program’s leader for receptions and yards among tight ends and he’ll have, at minimum, eight more games to pad his records. Not bad for a three-star, ehh?