Nine games over 50 pts, 5 of those 9 games over 60 pts and never less than 35 pts in any regular season game.
548 total yards per game, 349 yards per game passing and 199 yards per game rushing. Quarterback threw 44 TD passes to only 6 ints.
Who am I? 2008 Oklahoma. In the NC game loss to Florida, they scored 14 points, 37 below their average. They had 363 yards of offense (185 below their average), 256 passing (93 below their average) and 107 rushing (92 below their average) at 3.7 ypc.
How did we slow them down?
In my opinion, it started with excellent personnel at key positions. We had Carlos Dunlap, Jermaine Cunningham and Spikes rushing off the corner at DE. We had Haden and Jenkins at corner, Black and Wright at safety. We also had a multiple scheme alternated between bringing pressure with zone blitzes and dropping 7 and 8. Strong really mixed it up well that night.
We also stopped the run. Held them to 54% of their normal rushing average which put them in more frequent long down and distance situations and ended drives with stops on 3rd and 4th and short (like we did against Auburn).
Finally, we got 2 turnovers and we were strong in the red zone. Who can forget the 4th and goal stop by Torrey Davis to keep them out of the end zone? How about the goal line interception by Major Wright at the end of the first half? How about the 3rd and 2 stop late in the 3rd quarter resulting in a blocked field goal on a 49 yard attempt?
Can Greenard, Zuniga and Moon be the terrors off the edge that Dunlap, Cunningham and Spikes were? Can Hendo and Marco be reasonable facsimiles of Haden and Jenkins? Can Stewart and Davis play like Wright and Black? We already know our defense can get turnovers and is strong in the red zone. We also know LSU only averages 155 ypg rushing and Edwards-Helaire is good but not elite.
Two other factors.
The NC game was on a neutral field and this game isn’t.
The 2008 team also rushed for 249 yards and had 480 total yards for the game. This OL can’t do that at home, nevermind on the road.
But like Oklahoma, this LSU team is middle of the pack defensively and we may be able to have more success running and passing against them on the road than we did against a stout Auburn defensive front at home.
Finally, the times when Spurrier’s timing-based passing offense was slowed were when we had a limited to no run game and the OL lost the physicality battle up front. 1994 Sugar Bowl, Wuerffel had 449 passing but we rushed for nothing and we only scored 17. 2001 Tennessee without the effectiveness of Graham running, we became too one-dimensional. Sorry about those two painful examples. This LSU pass offense is similar in that their passing game is timing based and throws on time and in rhythm.
Stop the run, be dynamite on 3rd and short, hold them to field goals in the red zone and no big plays for easy scores. Make them earn it, make them convert 3rd and 2 with their running game. Stay in the game, take it to the 4th quarter where we have been strong, make them feel the pressure to win at home. Play loose, throw caution to the wind. Go for punt blocks. Take some shots.
This isn’t a must game for us, it is much more important for them being at home and still having to play Bama, Auburn, and A&M for the west division title. The pressure is on them.
JMHO.
548 total yards per game, 349 yards per game passing and 199 yards per game rushing. Quarterback threw 44 TD passes to only 6 ints.
Who am I? 2008 Oklahoma. In the NC game loss to Florida, they scored 14 points, 37 below their average. They had 363 yards of offense (185 below their average), 256 passing (93 below their average) and 107 rushing (92 below their average) at 3.7 ypc.
How did we slow them down?
In my opinion, it started with excellent personnel at key positions. We had Carlos Dunlap, Jermaine Cunningham and Spikes rushing off the corner at DE. We had Haden and Jenkins at corner, Black and Wright at safety. We also had a multiple scheme alternated between bringing pressure with zone blitzes and dropping 7 and 8. Strong really mixed it up well that night.
We also stopped the run. Held them to 54% of their normal rushing average which put them in more frequent long down and distance situations and ended drives with stops on 3rd and 4th and short (like we did against Auburn).
Finally, we got 2 turnovers and we were strong in the red zone. Who can forget the 4th and goal stop by Torrey Davis to keep them out of the end zone? How about the goal line interception by Major Wright at the end of the first half? How about the 3rd and 2 stop late in the 3rd quarter resulting in a blocked field goal on a 49 yard attempt?
Can Greenard, Zuniga and Moon be the terrors off the edge that Dunlap, Cunningham and Spikes were? Can Hendo and Marco be reasonable facsimiles of Haden and Jenkins? Can Stewart and Davis play like Wright and Black? We already know our defense can get turnovers and is strong in the red zone. We also know LSU only averages 155 ypg rushing and Edwards-Helaire is good but not elite.
Two other factors.
The NC game was on a neutral field and this game isn’t.
The 2008 team also rushed for 249 yards and had 480 total yards for the game. This OL can’t do that at home, nevermind on the road.
But like Oklahoma, this LSU team is middle of the pack defensively and we may be able to have more success running and passing against them on the road than we did against a stout Auburn defensive front at home.
Finally, the times when Spurrier’s timing-based passing offense was slowed were when we had a limited to no run game and the OL lost the physicality battle up front. 1994 Sugar Bowl, Wuerffel had 449 passing but we rushed for nothing and we only scored 17. 2001 Tennessee without the effectiveness of Graham running, we became too one-dimensional. Sorry about those two painful examples. This LSU pass offense is similar in that their passing game is timing based and throws on time and in rhythm.
Stop the run, be dynamite on 3rd and short, hold them to field goals in the red zone and no big plays for easy scores. Make them earn it, make them convert 3rd and 2 with their running game. Stay in the game, take it to the 4th quarter where we have been strong, make them feel the pressure to win at home. Play loose, throw caution to the wind. Go for punt blocks. Take some shots.
This isn’t a must game for us, it is much more important for them being at home and still having to play Bama, Auburn, and A&M for the west division title. The pressure is on them.
JMHO.
