LSU Tigers' critical failure could cost them against South Carolina and for the rest of the college football season
The LSU Tigers offense has looked exceptional at times through two games, especially through the air. Garrett Nussmeier already has an SEC-leading eight passing touchdowns and more than 300 yards per game. While that's great, the critical failures of the offensive line and running backs in the ground game looks set to be the doom […]
The LSU Tigers offense has looked exceptional at times through two games, especially through the air. Garrett Nussmeier already has an SEC-leading eight passing touchdowns and more than 300 yards per game. While that's great, the critical failures of the offensive line and running backs in the ground game looks set to be the doom for LSU if they don't get things right.
Now that John Emery Jr. is out for the remainder of the season, LSU will need to lean heavily on Kaleb Jackson, Josh Williams, and true freshman speedster Caden Durham. But all three have been extremely inefficient as runners thus far this season. Both of the younger backs, Jackson and Durham, have averaged less than three yards per carry. And while the much older Williams has faired a little bit better it's not by much. The running backs aren't the only issue though.
LSU has only one offensive lineman even run blocking at or near replacement level according to both Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions (another major charting service) qualitative blocking measures. They're simply not opening up consistent holes for running backs. This shows up in the percentage of yards that have to come after contact more than any other stat. 75% of LSU's rushing yards from their trio of running backs is coming after contact and they're getting hit at or near the line of scrimmage far too often.
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If the offensive line and running backs can't get it together LSU will struggle to move the ball at all against the tougher teams they face. The answer? It was supposed to be Kaleb Jackson this year, but he hasn't looked as strong or explosive just yet.
This spring Kaleb Jackson looked he was shot out of a cannon any time he touched the ball. His long touchdown run from LSU's spring game was supposed to be a preview of impressive production to come. That hasn't come to fruition just yet.
And it's not like the assumption that Kaleb Jackson would take a huge step this season was unfounded outside of the spring either. Jackson looked absolutely dominant and ready to throw SEC competition around on a small sample of work last season. Just take his flattening of a couple Mississippi State defenders in the highlight post below for example.
Jackson needs to find his confidence and get downhill regardless of the offensive line run blocking quality ahead of him. And LSU's stacked offense line with Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. as a pair of future first round picks needs to get their act together. Otherwise LSU might be in trouble not only against South Carolina's stiff defensive front, but for the rest of this 2024 college football season.
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