Not since the 2007 season has LSU put together two completely satisfying performances in a row like they have this year.
The Tigers were dominant in their 40-27 trouncing of Oregon on Sept. 3 in Dallas and then took care of business the way they were expected to against Northwestern State on Saturday.
In recent years LSU has piddle-paddled around with weak non-conference foes, keeping the games competitive much longer than they should have.
On Saturday, there was no need for a miraculous comeback like the Troy game in 2008. There was no 105-yard passing performance like in the 24-16 win against Louisiana Tech in 2009.
And there was no lack of focus in the first half like the McNeese State game last season when the Tigers held a 16-10 lead at the break.
Saturday’s 49-3 victory was business-like and went exactly as it should have.
The defense has never been questioned by anyone, and through two games it has shown exactly why.
It surrendered just 95 total yards Saturday night, including holding the Demons’ offense to -4 yards rushing.
LSU’s defense surrendering 27 points in the season opener does seem to be a bit higher than normal. But Oregon just hung 69 points on Nevada on Saturday and junior quarterback Darron Thomas threw for six touchdown passes.
But the most impressive part of the team thus far has been the maturation of the offense.
Under the leadership of senior quarterback Jarrett Lee, the Tigers have scored 40 points in back-to-back games and appear to be firing on all cylinders. LSU has passed for 323 yards and three touchdowns in two games.
With three passing touchdowns in two games, the Tigers are on track to make massive strides in the passing game from last season, when they threw for just six touchdowns in 12 regular season games.
The running game has been as good as advertised, with sophomore running backs Michael Ford and Spencer Ware combining for 287 yards and seven touchdowns.
Now, before I get too far ahead of myself, there is still a lot of football to play and a lot of tough games ahead on the schedule.
LSU has plenty of places where it needs work.
Dropped passes by wide receivers have been a problem, as is the average of six penalties for 41 yards per game. If the Tigers want to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa or Mississippi State in Starkville, those mistakes have to stop.
The Tigers have also fumbled six times. Though they have only lost possession on two of those fumbles, that number is unacceptable and needs to be corrected immediately before it costs them again.
But these mistakes are correctable ones. And after two games, I have seen nothing that would stop me from being optimistic about this team.
They play powerful, smashmouth football. The defense hasn’t missed tackles and hasn’t made any glaring mistakes in coverage assignments.
Most of all, though, they have a nasty attitude.
This team plays with a fire and passion that hasn’t been around since that national title run, at least on a consistent basis.
You could see it from time to time — the Florida and Alabama games last season, for example. But it was there Saturday night, against Northwestern State, despite the fact that the conference opener is now just three days away on the road against a ranked team.
That feisty mentality is what has made this team exciting to watch so far and what will continue to make this team fun to see down the road.
Rob Landry is a 23-year-old mass communication senior from Mandeville, La. Follow him on Twitter @RobLandry85.
 
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Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]