Let's talk LSU

[BeastMan]

With glorious technology like Watch ESPN, I've been able to watch & rewatch every LSU game this year. Here are some observations and some possible answers with how MSU can counter. I'll start on offense.

LSU QB Anthony Jennings is regarded as very average by most fans but he is better than fans give him credit for. He is 6th in the SEC in passer rating above guys like Dylan Thompson, Hutson Mason, Patrick Towles, etc... He has a TD to INT ratio of 5-1. Before the ULM game, he had not thrown an INT and was very careful with the ball. They finally opened up the reigns on him a bit and he threw 1 but the WR did fall down. He has a big arm and is athletic but he is a pocket guy. He's not a run 1st guy. He won't take off running unless it is wide open.

A:One thing I've seen from him is that when he gets quick pressure, he tucks the ball in his chest (protecting it) and stops looking down field. That's his tendency and why he hasn't thrown a bad INT this year. That's better than throwing it up for grabs and you can tell he's been coached to be very careful throwing the ball. I think MSU should dial up the pressure and disrupt the down field passing. He may not throw any picks but he can be disrupted to where you can get off the field.

WR was a position group that many believed would be down. I have been very impressed considering the inexperience and they are getting better every week. Travin Dural is a stud who is the big play guy. He already has 12 receptions and all of his catches have gone for either a TD or first down. Trey Quinn is a good looking possession guy. Some of the other guys are dangerous but haven't had many opportunities.

A: MSU really needs to respect their WRs, especially with the tendency they've shown to get beat deep. I think MSU CBs can have success jamming this group since they're so young but the safety better be giving help over the top because all these guys can go, particularly Dural. If MSU could jam and get immediate pressure on Jennings as mentioned above, you can really limit their passing game.

Despite all the hoopla over Leonard Fournette, Kenn Hilliard is the starter and looks the best by far. Terrance Magee is also getting carries as a banger. FB Darrell Williams is getting a lot of carries, particularly in short yardage and he is a load. Fournette looks good and will get better as the year goes on but he isn't elite yet.

A: All this said, this is the least worried I have been about an LSU backfield in my life. I'm not say they aren't good b/c they are. A lot of really good B to B+ players. They just don't have that 1 elite guy like they always have. Fourtnette could be that guy by the end of the year but he isn't right now. The gameplan with these RBs needs to be identifying who is in the game and playing his tendencies. For example, they've used Fournette and Hilliard in the passing game but not Magee. When they go I-form in short yardage, they love Williams up the gut.

The LSU OL is really good. They return a bunch of experience and these guys can maul. They've given up 6 sacks already but that's more on the QB holding it like I mentioned earlier. They're leading the rushing attack to a 4.32 ypc average that is respectable but isn't crazy high. Again, that's more due to the lack of the elite RB as I mentioned earlier.

A: The MSU DL needs to continue to be the DL in this one. They are built for lines and blocking schemes like this. This is the game where rotating all those players should make a big difference. We saw both Wisconsin and ULM fade in the 2nd half against the run due to lack of depth. This game is the challenge the MSU DL should be up for and will say a lot to the ceiling this defense will have in 2014.

The LSU DL took a lot of questions from rival fans as to whether they could withstand the losses in the interior. Through 3 games (and 2 teams that could really run the ball), LSU is 5th in the SEC against the run only allowing 111 ypg. The interior has gotten a huge boost from Christian LaCouture. He has gotten better in all 3 weeks and is giving the Tigers the activity they need on the inside. At DE, they are downright nasty. Duo Jermauria Rasco and Danielle Hunter are arguably the best DE tandem in the conference. Rasco has 2 sacks and they have 5 TFL combined.

A: The key to slowing down this DL will be making them think. They haven't played anyone with any real option threat so they've been able to pin their ears back and play both the run and pass downhill. With Dak, MSU has the luxury to run QB draws that can slow down those ends from just firing off the ball. If I'm Mullen, I'm also going to read option right at those DEs. Make them think and play assignment football. MSU can scheme enough to help the tackles with these DEs. I know I said the interior DL has played better than expected but I wouldn't shy away from running Robinson inside.

LSU has some really good LBs, particularity Kwon Alexander and DJ Welter. These guys are fast and physical. They have helped shore up the questions in the middle of the defense stemming from the young DTs. Against the run these LBs are as good as anyone in the conference.

A: Again, these guys are really good but you can scheme to make them less effective. You cannot play a traditional rushing attack because they will get to playing downhill and that is their strength. I've already commented about how MSU needs to run option and QB draws to get those ends thinking and it's the same with the LBs. The other way Mullen needs to attack these LBs is through the air. They are both kind of small, 6'1 and 6'2, so those passing lanes will be there in the middle, particularly off play-action. Jameon and Mojo can be dangerous in the middle of the field. For example, Mullen loves that fake QB draw play action. That can hold those LBs for a second and then that gives you some space in the middle. Puts a lot of stress on 6'1 LBs who aren't long to stay in the box to respect the action and then provide underneath coverage over athletes MSU will have on the inside routes.

The LSU secondary is leading the charge to the SEC's best pass defense only yielding 94 ypg. A lot of that is competition but we really saw how fast they were in the opener. FS Jalen Mills is the leader back there and has looked really good after moving from CB. With the exception of CB Tre White, this secondary is big and physical.

A: This is the type of secondary that would have completely shut down MSUs WRs 2 years ago. MSU now has their own big, physical WRs that are tough to deal with in their own right. This match-up is going to come down to who can win the challenge? Who is tougher? Call me crazy but I think MSU WRs can make the biggest mark on this unit in the running game. Time for the big guys on the outside like Rojo, Bear, and Ross to really take it to them blocking. Show them that they are the physically superior unit and going to intimidate them.

Special teams are huge in big SEC games and LSU is pretty loaded here. Their kicker is 3-3 on FGs and the punter, an Australian rugby guy, has a foot made of steel. He kicks the ball so dang high for 40+ yards every time. Keehn, the punter, is a huge asset for them who flips the field routinely.

A: As far as place kicking, MSU will likely have to make a FG in this one. Please Sobes. Please. This game is a great punting match-up for Devon Bell. Their guy is going to kill it so Bell will have to be able to answer back with boots of his own and he is very capable of doing so. Field position will be huge in this game and the punter match-up will be colossal. Seriously

The intangible of this game is Death Valley at night. No tougher atmosphere in football.

A: The only way to answer the intangibles that Death Valley gives is with a kid from Louisiana with the heart of a lion. That kid happens to be the MSU team leader Dak Prescott. What a story line would it be if the local kid is able to come back home and leave with a win? Wow.

[msstate7]

Nice work. Appreciate the insight

[CadaverDawg]

Incredible write up, Beast. Seriously, that was a hell of a breakdown. I actually feel a lot better after reading that. Seems like we have some areas to our advantage.

Again, real good stuff. Probably your best ever, and that says a lot.

[gravedigger]

That is the best pregame write up I've ever read. Great research.

[Goat Holder]

A: The only way to answer the intangibles that Death Valley gives is with a kid from Louisiana with the heart of a lion. That kid happens to be the MSU team leader Dak Prescott. What a story line would it be if the local kid is able to come back home and leave with a win? Wow.

You forget that we have another Louisiana kid on our team who will be running like a wild man with a rather large chip on his shoulder.

[ShotgunDawg]

Awesome job Beast

[msstate7]

You forget that we have another Louisiana kid on our team who will be running like a wild man with a rather large chip on his shoulder.

Day, dak, and jrob all LA kids. Middle of our offense will want this one bad

[Goat Holder]

Day, dak, and jrob all LA kids. Middle of our offense will want this one bad

Forgot about Day.

If I had my way, at least 25% of the team would be from Louisiana.

[BeastMan]

Thanks for the feedback gents. Since my couple thoughts was getting some positive feedback, I went ahead and posted it to the blog. http://3rdand57.com/matching-up-msu-with-lsu/ There is nothing extra so you don't have to click, it's all here

[Goat Holder]

Thanks for the feedback gents. Since my couple thoughts was getting some positive feedback, I went ahead and posted it to the blog. http://3rdand57.com/matching-up-msu-with-lsu/ There is nothing extra so you don't have to click, it's all here

^^ BeastMan.....this is why you're the best blogger of the many that come on here. You care more about MSU than simply pimping your own site. You deserve the clicks.

[hailmari]

This might be the game where we really benefit from Hutch's size at TE.

[Bear@Work]

This really is incredible. Thanks for taking the time.

[RougeDawg]

Goof writeup.

I, for one, have been saying we should beat LSU this year because of our experienced depth. We have always had comparable 1 deep talent with LSU, except QB and WR. But we've never had the luxury of having ample talent and depth all over the field that we have now.

Jennings does not scare me and may be the 3rd best QB we have played. If we can move the ball against them, we can win this thing no doubt. I don't see them doing much against our defense with their inexperienced offense.

I say a 28-17 win, unless we give them our normal 80 yard 12 second drive TD to close out the half. Then 28-24.

[Political Hack]

I think our OL vs their DL is the matchup of the game. If we can win that matchup, we should walk out of Tigah Stadium with a win.

[Treemydawg]

Nicely done beast . It's only Sunday and I'm already jacked up for this game, it is about time we kick some corn dog ass. Can anyone recommend a good sheet rock guy ? I'm about to strap one of the kids football helmets on and start form tackling the walls.

[GreenheadDawg]

This might be the game where we really benefit from Hutch's size at TE.

Still waiting on this! obviously he's just not picking up the playbook

[defiantdog]

Still waiting on this! obviously he's just not picking up the playbook

He's currently our 4th TE on the depth chart

[GreenheadDawg]

He's currently our 4th TE on the depth chart

We could use his size like the Saints do with Graham. Before anybody says it I know he's not as good, I'm just saying he would be hell for a LB or S to try to cover

[Goat Holder]

We could use his size like the Saints do with Graham. Before anybody says it I know he's not as good, I'm just saying he would be hell for a LB or S to try to cover

This sounds like one of those wishful thinking urban legend deals, like Ashton Shumpert being a good running back. Malcolm and Walley are both better TEs right now. Hutcherson looks lost out there. He'll get better though, that's typical of a JUCO.

[MarketingBully01]

With glorious technology like Watch ESPN, I've been able to watch & rewatch every LSU game this year. Here are some observations and some possible answers with how MSU can counter. I'll start on offense.

LSU QB Anthony Jennings is regarded as very average by most fans but he is better than fans give him credit for. He is 6th in the SEC in passer rating above guys like Dylan Thompson, Hutson Mason, Patrick Towles, etc... He has a TD to INT ratio of 5-1. Before the ULM game, he had not thrown an INT and was very careful with the ball. They finally opened up the reigns on him a bit and he threw 1 but the WR did fall down. He has a big arm and is athletic but he is a pocket guy. He's not a run 1st guy. He won't take off running unless it is wide open.

A:One thing I've seen from him is that when he gets quick pressure, he tucks the ball in his chest (protecting it) and stops looking down field. That's his tendency and why he hasn't thrown a bad INT this year. That's better than throwing it up for grabs and you can tell he's been coached to be very careful throwing the ball. I think MSU should dial up the pressure and disrupt the down field passing. He may not throw any picks but he can be disrupted to where you can get off the field.

WR was a position group that many believed would be down. I have been very impressed considering the inexperience and they are getting better every week. Travin Dural is a stud who is the big play guy. He already has 12 receptions and all of his catches have gone for either a TD or first down. Trey Quinn is a good looking possession guy. Some of the other guys are dangerous but haven't had many opportunities.

A: MSU really needs to respect their WRs, especially with the tendency they've shown to get beat deep. I think MSU CBs can have success jamming this group since they're so young but the safety better be giving help over the top because all these guys can go, particularly Dural. If MSU could jam and get immediate pressure on Jennings as mentioned above, you can really limit their passing game.

Despite all the hoopla over Leonard Fournette, Kenn Hilliard is the starter and looks the best by far. Terrance Magee is also getting carries as a banger. FB Darrell Williams is getting a lot of carries, particularly in short yardage and he is a load. Fournette looks good and will get better as the year goes on but he isn't elite yet.

A: All this said, this is the least worried I have been about an LSU backfield in my life. I'm not say they aren't good b/c they are. A lot of really good B to B+ players. They just don't have that 1 elite guy like they always have. Fourtnette could be that guy by the end of the year but he isn't right now. The gameplan with these RBs needs to be identifying who is in the game and playing his tendencies. For example, they've used Fournette and Hilliard in the passing game but not Magee. When they go I-form in short yardage, they love Williams up the gut.

The LSU OL is really good. They return a bunch of experience and these guys can maul. They've given up 6 sacks already but that's more on the QB holding it like I mentioned earlier. They're leading the rushing attack to a 4.32 ypc average that is respectable but isn't crazy high. Again, that's more due to the lack of the elite RB as I mentioned earlier.

A: The MSU DL needs to continue to be the DL in this one. They are built for lines and blocking schemes like this. This is the game where rotating all those players should make a big difference. We saw both Wisconsin and ULM fade in the 2nd half against the run due to lack of depth. This game is the challenge the MSU DL should be up for and will say a lot to the ceiling this defense will have in 2014.

The LSU DL took a lot of questions from rival fans as to whether they could withstand the losses in the interior. Through 3 games (and 2 teams that could really run the ball), LSU is 5th in the SEC against the run only allowing 111 ypg. The interior has gotten a huge boost from Christian LaCouture. He has gotten better in all 3 weeks and is giving the Tigers the activity they need on the inside. At DE, they are downright nasty. Duo Jermauria Rasco and Danielle Hunter are arguably the best DE tandem in the conference. Rasco has 2 sacks and they have 5 TFL combined.

A: The key to slowing down this DL will be making them think. They haven't played anyone with any real option threat so they've been able to pin their ears back and play both the run and pass downhill. With Dak, MSU has the luxury to run QB draws that can slow down those ends from just firing off the ball. If I'm Mullen, I'm also going to read option right at those DEs. Make them think and play assignment football. MSU can scheme enough to help the tackles with these DEs. I know I said the interior DL has played better than expected but I wouldn't shy away from running Robinson inside.

LSU has some really good LBs, particularity Kwon Alexander and DJ Welter. These guys are fast and physical. They have helped shore up the questions in the middle of the defense stemming from the young DTs. Against the run these LBs are as good as anyone in the conference.

A: Again, these guys are really good but you can scheme to make them less effective. You cannot play a traditional rushing attack because they will get to playing downhill and that is their strength. I've already commented about how MSU needs to run option and QB draws to get those ends thinking and it's the same with the LBs. The other way Mullen needs to attack these LBs is through the air. They are both kind of small, 6'1 and 6'2, so those passing lanes will be there in the middle, particularly off play-action. Jameon and Mojo can be dangerous in the middle of the field. For example, Mullen loves that fake QB draw play action. That can hold those LBs for a second and then that gives you some space in the middle. Puts a lot of stress on 6'1 LBs who aren't long to stay in the box to respect the action and then provide underneath coverage over athletes MSU will have on the inside routes.

The LSU secondary is leading the charge to the SEC's best pass defense only yielding 94 ypg. A lot of that is competition but we really saw how fast they were in the opener. FS Jalen Mills is the leader back there and has looked really good after moving from CB. With the exception of CB Tre White, this secondary is big and physical.

A: This is the type of secondary that would have completely shut down MSUs WRs 2 years ago. MSU now has their own big, physical WRs that are tough to deal with in their own right. This match-up is going to come down to who can win the challenge? Who is tougher? Call me crazy but I think MSU WRs can make the biggest mark on this unit in the running game. Time for the big guys on the outside like Rojo, Bear, and Ross to really take it to them blocking. Show them that they are the physically superior unit and going to intimidate them.

Special teams are huge in big SEC games and LSU is pretty loaded here. Their kicker is 3-3 on FGs and the punter, an Australian rugby guy, has a foot made of steel. He kicks the ball so dang high for 40+ yards every time. Keehn, the punter, is a huge asset for them who flips the field routinely.

A: As far as place kicking, MSU will likely have to make a FG in this one. Please Sobes. Please. This game is a great punting match-up for Devon Bell. Their guy is going to kill it so Bell will have to be able to answer back with boots of his own and he is very capable of doing so. Field position will be huge in this game and the punter match-up will be colossal. Seriously

The intangible of this game is Death Valley at night. No tougher atmosphere in football.

A: The only way to answer the intangibles that Death Valley gives is with a kid from Louisiana with the heart of a lion. That kid happens to be the MSU team leader Dak Prescott. What a story line would it be if the local kid is able to come back home and leave with a win? Wow.

Great write up! I say we win 21-17 or 21-14. It's gonna be a great game and IMO the game of the week in the SEC.