What's Changed?

We're at the halfway point of the season, and I've been racking my brain trying to figure out how the week 7 version of LSU football is any different than the week 1 version. It seems like we're talking about the same things and asking the same questions over and over again. There's the lack of sacks, the playcalling on offense, the offensive line, no power run game, Jordan Jefferson's development, and on and on and on. There's only two questions I think I have answers to.

Question number one, asked after the Washington game: Will the defense tackle better than it did against the Huskies?

Answer: Absolutely. There's still a blown assignment in the secondary now and then, and the line looks very blockable at times, but I think the defense has been tackling and hitting better and better as the season has progressed. The linebackers in particular have really been smacking some people around. It's been nice to see. I was filled with doubts about the linebackers before the season, but they've played far beyond my expectations.

Question number 2, asked after--oh, every single game: Will the offensive line play better?

Answer: Define "better." If you mean better than they did in the first three or four games, then yes. Against Georgia and Florida they blocked okay on running plays. If you mean will they actually turn into a good SEC offensive line, then no. They're still a long way away from that.

I hope the second half of the season sees very positive responses to the rest of our unanswered questions.