Written by Derek Ponamsky
LSU Tigers Athletics - Your Inside Source - EyeontheTigers.com


Perception: This team can not run the ball.



Reality: Thus far this season the running game has been disappointing. There will not be anyone involved with the LSU program, from Les Miles to the fans, who will argue this point. Improvement needs to happen quickly as the schedule continues to get harder weekly from here on out. Charles Scott and Keiland Williams miss Quinn Johnson’s lead blocking very badly. But as important as the missing lead blocker is the general impression that this offensive line is a finesse bunch. They don’t appear to be able to maul people in the run game like the previous LSU offensive lines. How long will this last? Is there a point in time where the stagnant running game leads to lineup changes along the offensive line?



Perception: This team can not throw the ball.


Reality: Don’t confuse the fact that LSU doesn’t throw the ball with the fact that they can’t throw the ball. Yesterday was a perfect example. When this team needs to be productive in the passing game they can be. Jordan Jefferson is improving every game, regardless of what the negative fans say. He has thrown seven touchdowns and one interception. And he is 4-0 this year. Hate to mention the record in this section, but it’s vital.



Perception: The defense is not better than last year.


Reality: Maybe the defense isn’t shutting everybody out, but this defense is getting better every week. Four turnovers forced yesterday is a great day. If not for the special teams mistakes yesterday this defense would have held Mississippi State to under 20 points. Two goal line stands in the last two games, and something tells you this team understands the need to rise to the occasion. As this season goes along, a defense gaining confidence is a dangerous thing for opponents. With playmakers like Chad Jones, Patrick Peterson and Rahim Alem this unit has difference makers. Confidence + difference makers= a very good unit later in the season.



Perception: The offensive play calling is not very creative.


Reality: I think the fact that they haven’t found a play that gets 12 yards every time is what the fans are frustrated about. In all seriousness, when the offensive production is not what the fans want they always complain about the play calling. Creativity is a misused word. In 2001 LSU Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher threw bubble screen after bubble screen from Rohan Davey to Josh Reed all the way to an SEC Championship. Nothing creative about that, just successful. That’s what this offense needs, success.



Perception: This team does not win flashy enough. They need to win while compiling “style points”.



Reality: No, no they don’t. This is the SEC, you just need to win. The polls and the style points do not mean anything. Nothing at all. If LSU can win every game by just one point they will play for the national championship. In essence there is a playoff system in the SEC. Win all of your games, and the SEC Championship game, and you are in the BCS title game. Style points do not mean anything. Not to go all Al Davis here, “but just win baby” is an absolute in college football.


Perception: This team is not better than last year.



Reality: It may be too early to know for sure, but I have seen enough improvement in the defense and ball security to know that this team is improving. They still need to improve the running game and some aspects of the special teams play.



Is this team as good as the 2003 and 2007 teams? Probably not. Can they do special things? Absolutely. They just need to realize that right now their reality is that they are 4-0, but nothing they have done matters. Now it’s all about what they can and will do.