Tell the Truth Monday: What is the biggest issue at LSU
When LSU head coach Ed Orgeron takes the podium on Mondays for his weekly press conference following a game, he calls it “Tell the Truth Monday.” It is time to tell the truth even if it is a tough pill to swallow, we are discussing the No. 1 issue for the football program and it is the offense.
When looking at the No. 1 problem with the LSU football team, it seems like it begins and ends with Ed Orgeron. He stood before the media on Monday and took full responsibility for the loss against Auburn. It absolutely is on Coach O, however, I am going to point the finger elsewhere while still placing this at the feet of the head coach.
The biggest problem for the Tigers is their offensive coordinator Jake Peetz, the next “Joe Brady.” The offense looks unprepared at times, the team using timeouts because they can’t get the play call in or just flat out aren’t ready for the next play. An issue that is expected with an offensive coordinator that has never called plays before.
His passing game is putting up some healthy numbers but they are so one-dimensional that teams don’t have to try very hard to figure it out. In the first 20 minutes of the game against Auburn, they were lighting it up through the air. However, when the game was on the line they were outscored 14-0 in the final 18:26 of the game.
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In the fourth quarter of the game with a two-score lead at 19-10, Peetz called zero run plays on the three drives with the lead. He didn’t call a run play until there were less than three minutes remaining, facing a second and 10 from the LSU 42-yard line. Of the 19 offensive plays in the fourth quarter, Johnson threw it 17 times for 50 yards with a game-sealing interception on fourth down. They averaged 0.4 yards per play.
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Against Power Five programs this year, the LSU running game is averaging just 1.9 yards per carry. That number puts them last in the SEC by almost a full yard and No. 112 of 120 teams against Power Five opponents.
Corey Kiner leads the team in yards rushing, yards per attempt, yards after contact, and runs of 10+ yards. Not to mention he is the only one to score a rushing touchdown this season. Yes, the lack of a push up front is hurting the running game but when you won’t bother playing your best running back, that falls on the offensive coordinator and head coach.
