The LSU football team showed some telling defensive flaws in its 44-41 loss to Georgia last weekend.
LSU coach Les Miles told members of the media Wednesday night the Tigers have made great strides to fix these problems before its contest with Mississippi State on Saturday.
“Those kinds of things are gone over and gone over and gone over,” Miles said. “We’re optimistic that those things won’t repeat.”
The Tigers (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) will face a two-quarterback system in the Bulldogs (2-2, 0-1 SEC) headed by senior Tyler Russell — who will return after a three-week absence caused by a concussion — with sophomore Dak Prescott waiting in the wings.
The duo has combined for 828 yards and three touchdowns through the air, and Prescott presents a threat on the ground, as he has run the ball 37 times for 215 yards and five touchdowns so far this season.
“I think both of those guys have gotten enough reps to be very productive for their team,” Miles said. “They use one guy in a set of circumstances and situations, and they use another guy that is, frankly, a pretty good egg in a number of spots. I think it’s an advantage for them.”
After last season’s loss to Florida, the Tigers responded the following week with one of their most complete performances in a 23-21 victory against then-No. 3 South Carolina.
Miles said he expects a similar response this week.
“I think there is a personal response that takes place when a group of men finish second in a contest,” Miles said. “Everybody has a need to play well.”
The result of Saturday’s contest will likely depend on how the Tigers’ offense performs.
LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry has become senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger’s go-to option in third-down situations.
Landry’s unique skill set makes him a dangerous threat to any opposing defenses, Miles said.
“He has a rare combination of speed and quickness,” he said. “The combination is a problem. You don’t know where he’s going to be, and there is a great likelihood that he’s running it vertically.”
Miles went on to say he expects Landry to continue to play a vital role on third downs until defenses find a way to stop him.
Although the maximum capacity of Davis Wade Stadium is a mere 55,082 (compared to Tiger Stadium’s 92,542), Miles said the home crowd’s use of cowbells leads to a loud and distracting environment.
“It makes a lot of noise for 55 [thousand], I can tell you that,” Miles said. “We’re thinking that piping in the cowbells is something we need to do on Thursday. We pounded the music pretty hard today, but maybe the cowbells need a little tuning up.”
“I think there is a personal response that takes place when a group of men finish second in a contest. Everybody has a need to play well.”