When you look at LSU’s last three games, it’s hard not to get lost in the offense’s numbers.
In the three games under coach Ed Orgeron, the Tigers have put up 1,608 total yards, compared to 1,358 in the four games under Les Miles. Orgeron’s team has allowed 832 total yards, while Miles’ team 977 in its best three defensive games (Mississippi State, Wisconsin and Jacksonville State).
While the big picture is impressive, it’s even more startling to look at when this numbers were accumulated. Under Miles, LSU did not score a touchdown in the fourth quarter and only scored two offensive touchdowns in the third. The story could not be more different with Coach Orgeron’s team.
Orgeron took over after the Auburn loss, and he made it clear he wanted to put an end to the Tigers’ second half struggles. He made practices shorter, more fast-paced and efficient in an effort to keep players energized late in games.
The results couldn’t be better for LSU.
In the second half of the last three games, LSU has put up 844 yards of total offense. Before the coaching change, the Tigers had 670 yards in the second half of four games.
On the other side of the ball, LSU allowed 457 yards in the second half in its three best games under Miles. With Orgeron at the helm, the defense gave up 366 second-half yards. That’s especially impressive when you consider that LSU has won time of possession in two of its last three, compared to going 1-3 in that category under Miles.
If that’s not enough for you, look at the point totals. In the last three games, LSU has scored 73 points in the second half. The Tigers scored 30 points in the second half of the first four games. Hell, LSU has scored more points in the second half of Orgeron’s three games, as Miles’ team did in its best three games (71).
No matter how you cut it, Orgeron’s team has been better offensively than Miles’ in the second half.
Be it rushing yards (Orgeron’s 427 to Miles’ 420) or passing yards (417 to 250), but the defense’s late game performances shouldn’t be forgotten, particularly after last week.
Ole Miss, a top-ranked SEC offenses, was held to 325 total yards, about 125 yards less than its season average. LSU’s pass defense slowed down Chad Kelly and the Rebels’ passing game to 209 yards, nearly 100 yards less than their average.
Under Orgeron, LSU has taken on the SEC’s top two passing defenses – Ole Miss and Missouri – and have held both well under their season average. In Orgeron’s debut, LSU held Missouri to 188 passing yards, which is about 116 yards less than Missouri’s season average.
Heading into a game against a stingy Alabama defense and an underrated offense, there’s some room for hope. It’s still one-in-a-million that LSU could defeat Alabama, but that’s a bigger chance than I gave them last week.
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron walks with the team down Stadium Rd. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 before the Tigers 38-21 victory over Ole Miss.
