LSU 2-0

The title is really all I can definitively say about LSU right now. The team is 2-0. I haven't written anything since the Washington game because I don't have that much to say, and I don't write something just to write something. Having said that, there are a few issues I've been thinking about:

Offensive Line

The topic of a lot of discussion the last two weeks, people want to see improvement here. It doesn't just need improvement, though. It needs drastic improvement if LSU is going to avoid going 3-5 in the SEC again. I was thinking that it might just be an issue of gelling and teamwork, but I rewatched the Vandy game and think it goes beyond that. On one play Lyle Hitt gets shoved two yards into the backfield on a running play. It was a play where he's supposed to be the aggressor, not the passive interceptor. Instead, he got embarrassed by the left DT, who came dang close to tackling Keiland Williams for a loss. Ciron Black was getting beat straight up by someone named--hold on while I check the game thread--Broderick Stewart. On another play Stewart came inside and the tackle looped outside him. Black tried to pass Stewart on to Dworaczyk, who was still in the middle of engaging the moving tackle. Stewart slipped in between them to pressure Jefferson.

It seems like there's both individual and unit performance issues that need to be addressed. I think Vanderbilt has some legitimate SEC talent up front, but if LSU is having trouble moving Vanderbilt out of the way, I don't want to think about what's going to happen with the big boys they have to face.

Offensive Rhythm

The offense looks sloppy, like it's relying more on athleticism and getting guys into space than on execution and fundamentals. I don't want it to be a "grab bag" of plays that seems mish-mash just to keep the defense off balance. I want to see a play run because the players are good at running the play, and because it's part of a cohesive game plan to attack the defense. Is Miles holding Crowton back? I don't think so. I think Jordan Jefferson is holding him back. Jefferson has not impressed me as a passer, and I think that has affected Crowton's playcalling. The griping about throwing the ball downfield is partly a function of the line not being able to protect, and partly Jefferson just not being all that good at it. He overthrew two receivers a long passes against Vanderbilt. One was an easy touchdown, the other an easy interception that was called back.

I'm not sure what to think about Terrance Toliver, other than that he could be really, really good. I think he dropped about three balls against Vanderbilt, though. It's way too early to say that he's reached 2007 Lafell levels of dropsiness, so I'll hold off until another couple of games have gone by.