The 10 most important plays of LSU’s season so far

LSU’s at the midway point with six games under its belt.

It was a disappointing opening month for the Tigers, suffering a loss in game one and losing a shootout in Oxford.

LSU came out on the right side of a shootout in Missouri to get back in the winning column.

A playoff berth is unlikely at this point, but the New Year’s Six and a division title in still in play. LSU has the offense to do it, but the defense has a lot to figure out.

Let’s take a look at the 10 plays that have defined LSU’s year so far.

Jayden Daniels 35-yard run vs Missouri

We’ll start with a recent one.

Down five to Missouri in the fourth quarter, LSU faced a third and three.

Jayden Daniels had left the game earlier after taking a big hit, but that didn’t stop Mike Denbrock from calling Daniels’ number.

Emery Jones sealed off the right side and Garrett Dellinger got just enough push at the second level to create a crease.

Daniels speed did the rest as he split the Missouri defense and found the end zone, putting LSU back in front.

According to GameOnPaper, this played shifted LSU’s win probability by an entire 30.4%.

It was a pivotal play in a game LSU needed to win to remain in the NY6 race.

Daniels intercepted by Florida State

If the Daniels run against Missouri was one of the finer moments, this was one of the worst.

Down seven to begin the fourth against Florida State, LSU had the ball and was looking to make it a competitive fourth quarter.

Daniels was looking for Malik Nabers on the sideline, who was in single coverage against Renardo Green. Nabers slipped and Green came away with the pick, giving FSU the ball back in LSU territory.

FSU would score a few moments later and was suddenly up 31-17. It opened up the floodgates and broke LSU in the middle of 28-0 run for Florida State.

LSU’s win probability was 32% before the pick, but following FSU’s touchdown on the ensuing drive, it was down to 6.5%.

The turning point of this game was at halftime, but this was the play where LSU officially lost it.

You could make an argument this was the most important play of the season’s first half. If LSU drives down and ties it at 24-24, it’s a whole new ball game.

A loss here put the Tigers in a 0-1 hole to start the year.

Daniels to Thomas gets LSU going against Arkansas

In a rare occurrence, the LSU offense struggled early against Arkansas, With the half winding down, the Tigers were yet to find the endzone.

That changed when Jayden Daniels took a shot to Brian Thomas Jr.

Thomas found separation behind the Arkansas secondary and Daniels let it fly.

LSU’s win probability fell below 50% prior to this play, but the score put it back at 67.8%.

More importantly, it ignited the offense. Daniels found Thomas for another 49-yard touchdown in the opening minute of the third quarter.

After that, LSU’s win probability was above 85% and the Tigers offense did what it wanted for the rest of the night.

Jaxson Dart to Tre Harris gives Ole Miss new life

Our next two plays are of a similar fashion. Both involve Jaxson Dart finding Tre Harris and both were backbreakers for an LSU defense that couldn’t stop a nosebleed against Ole Miss.

The first one comes about midway through the fourth. LSU held a two possession lead, which was a lot given how the game had gone to that point.

Dart got the ball to Harris on a comebacker. Following the completion, LSU had a chance to make a stop but Denver Harris missed a tackle.

Harris got the first down and took the ball to the LSU 30.

If LSU got that third down stop, we’re talking about a whole different ball game. But that play was representative of what happened all night. Even when the LSU defense put itself in a position for occasional success, a fundamental mistake gave Ole Miss new life.

Jaxson Dart to Tre Harris sets up game winner

And as promised, we stick with Dart and Harris.

Down two with the game winding down, Ole Miss was looking for a game winning drive.

On second and eight, the playfake gave Dart space for a clean release and he took a shot to Harris in one on one coverage.

Harris made the contested catch against Laterrence Welch.

The eventual game winning touchdown to Harris could have gone here, but this was the play that really ended it.

It added nearly 40% to the Ole Miss win probability. A win here would have kept LSU’s playoff hopes alive.

Daniels to Nabers puts LSU up 17-0 against Mississippi State

We’ll go back to the good.

There weren’t many defining plays in this game since due to how emphatic of a blowout it was, so we’ll go to the play where it really started to get out of hand.

Up 10-0, Daniels took a shot to Malik Nabers in man coverage. The throw was right on the money and Nabers hauled it in for six.

It was the second touchdown in as many drives for Nabers. This was the moment where it was clear LSU was going to outclass Mississippi State.

It was also the first time we saw LSU’s offense play at this level vs FBS competition. They used the Grambling game to get right after the second half struggles against FSU.

Nabers' touchdown vs. Missouri

Back to the Missouri game here.

After that Daniels run, Missouri took the lead back and the pressure was put back on the LSU offense.

It wasn’t an issue. Daniels stayed hot and found a wide open Nabers down the sideline.

With three minutes left, LSU was back in front and the Tigers held the lead.

Andre Sam interception vs. Arkansas

There haven’t been many plays like this for the defense this year, but the unit came up with a big turnover against Arkansas.

After LSU turned it over the prior drive, Andre Sam took it right back.

Sam, playing center field, made a break on the ball to jump the Arkansas receiver.

This prevented Arkansas from marching down the field and going up 10-0. In a game where LSU’s offense took a second to get rolling, the defense needed a play or two like this in the first half.

Daniels' fumble vs Ole Miss

LSU was playing in a hole early against Ole Miss, but it had chances to prevent that.

With just under five to go in the fourth, Daniels tried to run for a first down but was popped by an Ole Miss defender. The ball came out and the Rebels recovered.

Ole Miss scored on its next drive, taking a 14-0 lead.

LSU was in the middle of its own drive when this happened. In a game where both offenses flew up and down the field, a turnover was about the only thing that was going to stop LSU.

If the Tigers hold on here, they tie it at seven. The margins were slim in this game. Looking back on it, this swung the game in Ole Miss’ favor early.

Jordan Travis to Lawrance Toafili for 41-yards

And we’ll finish by heading back to the Florida State game.

With the game still tied, LSU had a chance to make a play on fourth and two.

Jordan Travis rolled to his right while Lawrance Toafili slipped into the flat. Travis made a quick toss and Toafili turned it into a 41-yard gain, setting up FSU to take the lead.

A stop here would have given LSU a chance to control the second-half. Again, we’re discussing this game differently if LSU comes out hot in the second half.

But this is what eventually started that 28-0 run for the Noles.

Story originally appeared on LSU Tigers Wire