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Hiring offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was a terrific move.
In time, some of the young, physically-gifted receivers and at least one of the young, physically-gifted quarterbacks may match the team’s 2013 passing game.
In the meantime, expect vintage LSU football. That means defense, plenty of handoffs and game-changing special teams.
Punter Jamie Keehn unleashed a few shanks Saturday, but according to The Advocate, Les Miles said this week his kickers (Keehn and Colby Delahoussaye) could be the best he’s ever had at LSU, which is a big statement. Leonard Fournette still should make an impact on offense, but his best contribution this year may be as a kickoff returner. He should be a good one.
LSU’s pass coverage looks improved. The Tigers’ linebackers played much better in the second half, particularly Kwon Alexander. Wisconsin’s pre-snap movement and play fakes got Alexander out of position on several big first-half plays, but defensive coordinator John Chavis positioned him closer to the line of scrimmage after halftime. Alexander finished with eight total tackles, including two for loss, and the team named him its Week 1 MVP.
The secondary wavered at times last season, but looks poised to return to the form we expect from the Tigers. That will help LSU load the box against the run, as the Tigers will face several other running back-offensive line combos in the ballpark of Melvin Gordon and Wisconsin.
That brings us back to the offense. Specifically the running game.
Fournette should be considered a complimentary piece on offense at this point, though that could change by the end of September if he settles down. One of the most unheralded outcomes of Saturday’s win, though, was the re-emergence of Kenny Hilliard.
#LSU coach Les Miles: Hilliard gives us leadership, we would expect the style of play he gave us.
— JimKleinpeter (@JimKleinpeter) September 3, 2014
Miles on Hilliard: "He's somebody you can turn to in a number of situations and go, 'Come on Kenny let's go get them.'" #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 3, 2014
Hilliard personally drove a stake through Wisconsin’s football heart in the fourth quarter Saturday, finishing with 18 carries, 110 yards and one touchdown. He looked fast, ran decisively and followed his blocks. Fournette and Terrence Magee, by contrast, combined for 14 carries and 26 yards.
In any case, LSU’s offensive line labored in the first half. Vadal Alexander missed several blocks at left guard. Wisconsin’s stunts seemed to confuse LSU, and we may be able to attribute that to sophomore center Ethan Pocic making a late start in place of suspended senior Elliott Porter. But the offensive line put it together in the second half, and should perform better the rest of the year. (Pocic still is listed as the starter this week.)
Though Brandon Harris will get every opportunity to impress the coaches in the next two weeks, he’s playing catch-up right now. Anthony Jennings clearly gave the Tigers the best chance to win Saturday, and Miles admitted as much. Either way, expect the quarterback to run plenty of read options. Both players are athletic, and it’s a more comfortable play for them than progressing to their second or third reads on a pass.
We’ll monitor the run/pass split as the season progresses, but expect LSU to get back to pounding the ball on the ground, wearing down defenses in the fourth quarter, taking advantage of special teams and playing knock-down defense.
Miles: "For us to do the things we want to do, we're going to play in tight games & we're going to play dominant in fourth quarter." #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 3, 2014
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
