LSU football games have started to follow a certain script.
The defense creates turnovers and minimizes the production of opposing offenses. The offense protects the ball and pounds away with a dominant running game.
So far the formula has worked. With the Tigers’ 38-7 victory against Tennessee (3-3, 0-3) on Saturday, LSU (7-0, 4-0) has won every game this season by double digits, tying a school record for eight consecutive double-digit wins dating back to the Cotton Bowl win over Texas A&M in January.
The Tigers have won each game by at least 13 points, which contributed to LSU’s No. 1 ranking in the season’s first BCS poll.
“At the end of the day, that makes a difference,” said junior wide receiver Russell Shepard. “The BCS system is a little different. It depends on how bad you beat teams sometimes. When you can put as many points on the board as you can, that’s very victory.”
LSU coach Les Miles admitted his team has room to improve, and that offensive imperfection showed in the first half. LSU totaled only 64 rushing yards, its lowest first-half total of the season.
“We were kind of slow,” said sophomore running back Spencer Ware, who led the team with 80 rushing yards. “They changed up some looks that we haven’t seen offensively. But the defense came up and made some big plays and we capitalized on those them.”
Senior quarterback Jarrett Lee, who threw for 138 yards and three touchdowns, credited the offensive line, which has struggled with injuries throughout the season, for the second-half success.
“Down there in the trenches, it’s a tough deal,” Lee said. “They did a great job. One of the reasons we were so successful in that second half and put points on the board was because of the offensive line. They kept there.”
Miles said even with the team’s decisive victory and lofty ranking, the Tigers haven’t fallen victim to mid-season complacency.
“If that’s the case, it doesn’t seem to be what I’m hearing,” Miles said. “This team wants to be a