LSU Tigers destroyed in the most predictable way possible amid embarrassing SEC rivalry loss to Alabama
The LSU Tigers just saw their season's hopes and dreams crushed underneath the sprinting feet of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. LSU's absolutely pathetic defensive showing against the Crimson Tide ultimately ended with a score of 42-13 on Saturday as Brian Kelly embarrassed himself in yet another big game. So, what happened? How could this blowout […]
The LSU Tigers just saw their season's hopes and dreams crushed underneath the sprinting feet of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. LSU's absolutely pathetic defensive showing against the Crimson Tide ultimately ended with a score of 42-13 on Saturday as Brian Kelly embarrassed himself in yet another big game. So, what happened? How could this blowout at home, at night, in Baton Rouge possibly occur?
Well, in short, for exactly the reason everyone knew it might happen. Brian Kelly was just quoted this week talking about his team's struggles against mobile quarterbacks. He seemed rather confident that Blake Baker's scheme had answers in place that could stop the quarterback run, but obviously that wasn't the case:
"Well, it's the execution. We've got a pretty smart group here. It's not like they've never seen a running quarterback. We have a scheme in place that will stop a running quarterback. We've seen running quarterbacks. Blake [Baker, the defensive coordinator] understands how to stop them. We have a very solid fundamental scheme."
This quote of course came before the Tigers surrendered 185 yards and four touchdowns to Jalen Milroe, but it certainly seems like the issue is far more significant than simple defensive player execution. This is the fourth time this season that LSU has allowed at least 50 rushing yards from an opposing quarterback. And this is the second year in a row that the Tigers have surrendered four rushing touchdowns to Alabama's Jalen Milroe in a single game.
Saturday's game was just deja vu all over again for LSU fans. Another day, another blowout because the team could not stop a mobile quarterback. It's bad enough that LSU's shot at the first ever 12-Team College Football Playoff is completely gone. They still have to play three more games and the defense might not be able to stop any of the opponents left on their schedule.
LSU still has to face Florida, Vanderbilt, and Oklahoma. They might be able to slow down the passing attacks of those teams, but unless something changes all three should just be able to run right over the Tigers. Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt's QB) leads all power conference quarterbacks in rushing. Florida may return their big bodied five star QB, DJ Lagway to the field next game. And Oklahoma has a couple mobile options at quarterback. LSU could be in trouble.
Blake Baker's putrid defense is now allowing nearly 140 rushing yards per game on the season, ranking firmly outside the Top 50 among FBS teams in stopping opposing rushing attacks. Unless something drastic changes, Brian Kelly is going to have to take a good hard look this off-season at what might be completely broken about his defense.
Brian Kelly on the hot seat at LSU following yet another loss in a big game against Alabama
Consecutive losses in big games isn’t going to cut it
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