The ultimate LSU optimist probably struggled to find the positives in the Tigers’ deflating 23-10 loss Saturday afternoon to the Gators in Gainesville, Fla.
From every angle of the game from LSU’s perspective, the Tigers’ offense, defense and not-so-special teams were bullied and beaten up as Florida made the No. 9 team in the nation look average at best.
“We made mistakes in a number of spots, and it’s work to do,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “We’re a good football team, but we didn’t play like it today, and we’re all disappointed.”
So what exactly went wrong for LSU?
GROUNDED GAME
It does not matter if the game plan is to set up the run with the pass or vice versa. A quarterback’s best friend is his running game. But that best friend has stood up LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell in the tough games this season a la Auburn and Florida.
If LSU wants to achieve any kind of success this season, someone is going to have to make a push and resurrect the running game.
History shows that championship teams have an effective running game to compliment the passing attack. Notice the operative word is effective, not perfect.
The reigning champion Texas Longhorns ranked second in the nation in rushing offense by averaging 275 yards on the ground per game last season.
Southern California in 2004 averaged 177 yards rushing, which was 33rd best in the land.
Even LSU’s 2003 national championship team had the 27th-rated running attack in college football.       
A team’s running game does not have to be the best in the nation, but the ability to run the football to control the line of scrimmage is critical.
Miles would concede that LSU’s running game against teams like Auburn and Florida just has not cut it. The Tigers ran for 42 yards versus Auburn and 90 yards on Saturday at Florida.
Do not expect things to change much if the Tigers cannot manufacture a better run game.            SPECIAL TEAMS BLUES
Another consistent theme for the Tigers this season has been their simple inability to line up correctly on punt returns.           
Numerous times, LSU has been flagged for an illegal punt formation when lining up to kick the ball away.
The theme was no different Saturday, and it cost the Tigers.
Punter Chris Jackson booted a 50-yard punt in the second quarter that was downed at the Florida one-yard line.
But an illegal formation forced a redo, and the Gators fielded an inferior 27-yard Jackson punt and began their drive on the 29-yard line.
Though the Gators did not score on that drive, it’s small things such as that, which can change games.
Also, LSU is suffering from post-Skyler Green syndrome this season.
The instability in fielding punts and kickoffs is disturbing and is changing the outcome of the game as it did against Florida.
HOLD ON TO THE BALL
When LSU and Florida met in 2005 in Tiger Stadium, the Tigers overcame five turnovers to pull out the victory at home.
But the same was not true this time around.
Russell’s fumble near the Florida goal line nullified a likely touchdown. And wide receiver Early Doucet’s fumble on the opening second-half kickoff led to a safety followed by an eventual touchdown on the Gators’ possession following the safety kick.
Three interceptions by Russell were an indirect result of 41 pass attempts. Two of Russell’s interceptions came from tipped passes by LSU receivers while the third came from an overthrow of wide receiver Brandon LaFell downfield.
Giving an opponent five extra possessions in the game while taking away five of a team’s own possessions is not a very advantageous position for a team.
It’s simple – winning the turnover battle puts a team in the best situation to win the game.
—–Contact Kyle Whitfield at [email protected]