NCAAF · 1 year ago

5 Things We Learned: LSU Tigers Handle Arkansas

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Brian Kelly's Imprint
It has been bizarre to see a Brian Kelly-coached team struggle to hold late leads and be woeful on defense. That is not the kind of football his teams have played at previous stops, and with the talent on hand in Baton Rouge, it was perplexing to watch. Kelly expressed his frustration quite visibly in his post-game press conference after the loss to USC in the season opener. The Tigers have begun to play like we would expect from a Kelly squad. The offensive line is creating holes for the running game, although it is still far from a great rushing attack. Garrett Nussmeier is playing mature and intelligent football and leading the offense at quarterback. Most importantly, the defense is making plays and has stiffened considerably against the run. Arkansas managed only 2 yards per carry, and LSU won the turnover battle three to zero.

2024 Odds to Make College Football Playoff: LSU (+105)

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1. LSU's Improving Defense Turns Up the Heat
After surrendering 28 points per game and essentially blowing a Heisman Trophy-winning season from their quarterback, Brian Kelly reworked his defensive staff in search of upgrades. Those changes did not take hold immediately, but the LSU Tigers have gradually improved on defense and now look like a solid unit. Since giving up 33 points to South Carolina in a game they were fortunate to win, the Tigers allowed only 17 to UCLA, 10 to South Alabama, 26 to the explosive Ole Miss Rebels, and just 10 on the road at Arkansas. Losing Harold Perkins seemed to have helped the LSU defense, and they are finally playing complementary football.

Week 9: LSU (+3.5) at Texas A&M

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2. Taylen Green Was Not Himself
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green was one of the more dynamic players in the country during the first half of the season. However, he injured his ankle during the Tennessee game and did not look like himself in his return to action against LSU. Green rarely tested LSU’s defense with his legs and was contained all evening by the Tigers, amassing only 229 total yards. This does not take away anything from LSU’s performance, but it has to be acknowledged that Green’s lack of trust in his injured ankle was a limiting factor and allowed LSU to keep him in the pocket.
3. Caden Durham Has Arrived
The LSU Tigers have spent the past couple of seasons searching for a consistent running back that can balance the offense and take some pressure off the quarterback position. They entered the season thinking Kaleb Jackson could take the reigns, but he averaged only 3.93 yards per carry and was not getting the job done. After flashing against South Carolina with 98 yards and two touchdowns, freshman Caden Durham looked like the best option on LSU’s roster, and fans were ready to see him get his chance to be the workhorse. That opportunity was finally earned on Saturday night as Durham got 21 carries for 101 yards and three touchdowns. It was a consistent and efficient performance from the freshman, and LSU now appears to have an unquestioned “RB1” on which to rely.
4. Nussmeier Leads the Way
Garrett Nussmeier waited a long time for this opportunity. The veteran waited his turn, and instead of hitting the transfer portal, he sat on the bench and worked on his game. LSU was excited about Nussmeier as the starter this season, and he has not disappointed. Nussmeier is completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,222 yards with 18 touchdowns. His decision-making and ability to avoid pressure stood out on Saturday in Fayetteville. Arkansas’ cornerbacks and safeties feared getting burned over the top, so they regularly allowed large cushions to LSU’s wide receivers. Smartly, Nussmeier took that cushion and tossed short to intermediate passes to wide-open receivers. He did not take unnecessary risks and regularly avoided blitzes and pressures to keep LSU out of negative situations on offense. It was a remarkably mature performance from the veteran quarterback.

2024 Heisman Trophy Odds: Garrett Nussmeier (+3000)
5. Brian Kelly's Imprint
It has been bizarre to see a Brian Kelly-coached team struggle to hold late leads and be woeful on defense. That is not the kind of football his teams have played at previous stops, and with the talent on hand in Baton Rouge, it was perplexing to watch. Kelly expressed his frustration quite visibly in his post-game press conference after the loss to USC in the season opener. The Tigers have begun to play like we would expect from a Kelly squad. The offensive line is creating holes for the running game, although it is still far from a great rushing attack. Garrett Nussmeier is playing mature and intelligent football and leading the offense at quarterback. Most importantly, the defense is making plays and has stiffened considerably against the run. Arkansas managed only 2 yards per carry, and LSU won the turnover battle three to zero.

2024 Odds to Make College Football Playoff: LSU (+105)

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1. LSU's Improving Defense Turns Up the Heat
After surrendering 28 points per game and essentially blowing a Heisman Trophy-winning season from their quarterback, Brian Kelly reworked his defensive staff in search of upgrades. Those changes did not take hold immediately, but the LSU Tigers have gradually improved on defense and now look like a solid unit. Since giving up 33 points to South Carolina in a game they were fortunate to win, the Tigers allowed only 17 to UCLA, 10 to South Alabama, 26 to the explosive Ole Miss Rebels, and just 10 on the road at Arkansas. Losing Harold Perkins seemed to have helped the LSU defense, and they are finally playing complementary football.

Week 9: LSU (+3.5) at Texas A&M

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