LSU’s win against South Carolina was must-see television; it featured a 17-point comeback, two lead changes in the fourth quarter and a missed game-tying kick at the buzzer.
A game with that much going can be hard to analyze. Where does a performance with so many bright spots but also so many mistakes made leave LSU?
Our football writers got together to discuss that and everything else going on with LSU football.
Do you feel the same, better or worse about LSU after the win over South Carolina?
Tyler Harden: I feel somewhat better, but it’s all about consistency. Firstly, while Caden Durham did solve the running game issue against South Carolina, we’ve only seen one game. In order to be more confident, more of a sample size is needed.
But in terms of the identity of this team, we did learn a lot about this season’s LSU team. While things may not always be going perfect, it’s a team that won’t back down. And going further into SEC play, that can play a considerable factor.
Jason Willis: I’d say the same. A lot of the same issues were there, with some early issues with discipline and run blocking, as well as the defense giving up too many big plays. In addition, it’s a game LSU almost certainly should’ve lost; while the Tigers showed an ability to come back and to close out, it doesn’t happen if LaNorris Sellers doesn’t go down.
However, there’s certainly some more hope in some areas. The defense had some electric moments, especially in the second half. Still, Brian Kelly placed the blame squarely on the coaches, and until I see that the staff is able to implement the changes they keep talking about, it’s hard to be too optimistic.
Ava Hebert: After the South Carolina game, I’d say I felt about the same. My concern for LSU’s running game lessened, but that concern shifted towards the Tigers’ defense and other strategic flaws. However, there were also a lot of positive factors that contributed to the win.
Garrett Nussmeier showed his ability to be a consistent and steady factor in LSU’s offense, even after being hit time and time again. Parts of LSU’s defense such as Bradyn Swinson and Whit Weeks also showed promise for the remainder of the season.
Lizzie Falcetti: After the win against South Carolina, I would say yes, I feel a bit better. To go into Columbia, in such an intense environment, and pull out a win is not easy. The game was never really LSU’s, but to show resilience in a competitive back-and-forth battle, means this team is steadily improving, especially when looking at what happened in the season opener. Yes, there’s still mistakes, but each game will allow for improvement.
Is Caden Durham a legitimate solution to LSU’s running game issues?
Tyler Harden: As previously stated, the sample size is too small to determine how far Durham can take the running game this season. But he is a legitimate solution, and he showed that on Saturday in South Carolina. Without Durham, LSU may not win the game. While it may not be that simple against other SEC opponents, it’s a clear sign that Durham can at the very least be a valuable piece of the rotation, and likely more.
Jason Willis: I’d hesitate to say that just yet. His pure speed and elusiveness isn’t found anywhere else on LSU’s roster, but, in a way, the Tigers would have reason to be disappointed if Durham emerges as the unquestioned lead back.
LSU’s put a lot of trust in Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson, so for them to continue to fall short would be disheartening. Ideally, LSU would like to get all of them going. I think that’s more likely than Durham turning into the sole solution.
Ava Hebert: It’s difficult to jump to conclusions such as this one so early in the season. Durham showcased a lot of talent – there’s no doubt about that. However, this was his first breakout game of his career. If he can keep up the act, it’ll play a big role in the Tigers’ offense. But like Tyler said, the sample size is still too small.
Lizzie Falcetti: Durham put on quite a performance against the Gamecocks, breaking tackles and powering through defenders. But only time will tell if he’s a legitimate solution with the more carries he gets. We don’t know how much of a threat he can be as a receiver, which is something Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson offer, so a rotation will be most effective on offense.
READ MORE: How Caden Durham’s freshman breakout for LSU is eerily similar to Harold Perkins’ in 2022
How would you rate Garrett Nussmeier’s performance so far this year out of 10?
Tyler Harden: I would give him a seven. Accuracy-wise, Nussmeier has been much improved, and he showed that especially against USC in Las Vegas. It’s prevalent that his connections with his receivers keeps LSU’s offense going. I would possibly give him a higher rating if he had a better performance against South Carolina.
While the Gamecocks’ pass-rush did not give Nussmeier lots of time and comfort in the pocket, he still made some bad decisions. For example, on third and 11 from South Carolina’s 20-yard line, Nussmeier threw an interception, as Nick Emmanwori came down an cut off his pass to Kyren Lacy in the end zone. It was important to take a shot in the end zone with good field position and to potentially take the lead, but I don’t think he was fully aware of the secondary defenders in order to do so.
However, I would say that he’s shown more positives than negatives, especially accuracy wise, which leads me to my seven rating.
Jason Willis: I’ll go with an eight. He’s second in the country in touchdown passes, and he made some incredible intermediate throws into tight windows against South Carolina. He’s been efficient, and LSU can’t ask for much more.
However, I’m still waiting for consistent big play creation to put him in the conversation with Jayden Daniels as a Heisman-caliber LSU quarterback. Also, Nussmeier’s ill-advised interception against South Carolina was a glimpse of the Nussmeier LSU was afraid it’d see. The team is lucky it didn’t bite them, and it hopes it doesn’t see more of it.
Ava Hebert: I’d rate Nussmeier’s performance a 7.5. He had big shoes to fill after Heisman winner Jayden Daniels left for the NFL, and as I said before, Nussmeier has been a consistent and steady factor in LSU’s offense. Especially in the game against South Carolina, he displayed his ability to complete passes with tight man-to-man coverage.
Nussmeier, along with the rest of LSU’s team, still has a long way to go before being considered championship-caliber. But as of now, he’s the least of the Tigers’ worries.
Lizzie Falcetti: In game one, Nussmeier, for the most part, played rather conservative. He completed 77% of his passes for 308 yards, but did not push the ball down the field much. In his last game against South Carolina, Nussmeier threw the ball a little more aggressively, increasing his yards per completion by two, but only completed 60% of his passes.
Nussmeier has played solid this season, but he still has not shown the dynamic playmaking and big play ability that Daniels did last year. He still only has four career starts to his name, and after this experience, being down on the road, will certainly help him elevate his game in the coming weeks. But as of now, his play has probably been a seven out of 10.
If LSU’s defense continues as is – giving up 300 or more yards on average but coming up with a handful of game-changing plays a game – will it be good enough for them to make the College Football Playoff?
Tyler Harden: Unless a drastic change is made, I would say no. And while LSU’s defense is still struggling, I think other teams on the schedule are just playing better and are at a further point at this stage of the season.
For example, Alabama made a statement with a 42-10 win over Wisconsin in Madison. Jalen Milroe showed a lot of promise both in the air and on the ground, and with Alabama’s overall depth, the Crimson Tide just look more sound.
In addition, Ole Miss has impressed thus far, despite their lack of competition. The Rebels have thrived on their pass game, and unless LSU’s secondary becomes lots more consistent, that very well could provide a challenge. With other opponents on the schedule that could provide an obstacle like Oklahoma and Texas A&M, especially in College Station, the toughest days for the Tigers may be ahead of them.
Jason Willis: Probably not, given that it was barely enough to beat South Carolina, which probably deserves to be a ranked team but still isn’t quite Playoff-caliber. Against tougher opponents like Ole Miss or Alabama, that style of defense probably won’t fly. LSU needs to figure out a way to keep up the chaos – the sacks, the turnovers – without sacrificing big plays.
Ava Hebert: I would say no. The SEC is probably the toughest conference to succeed in, and LSU is lagging early in the season when teams such as Georgia and Ole Miss are shutting down decent opponents. If the Tigers can’t figure out a way to stop the big plays, the playoffs won’t be an option for them.
Lizzie Falcetti: LSU’s defense has not played the best. In the first game, it had no answers on USC’s final drive to clinch the game and largely did not do enough to stop Miller Moss and USC’s offense from being successful.
Against South Carolina, LSU was abysmal in giving up big plays, especially from runs. Forcing three turnovers against the Gamecocks was a savior, but the defense didn’t force any against USC, a stronger offense, so it’s difficult to have confidence that this is a defense that can do this every week.
Because of that, it would seem that LSU’s defense will need to improve in their passing defense and not give up as many big plays if they want to be a serious threat to challenge for an SEC title and a College Football Playoff appearance. So, as of right now, I would say no.
