LSU falls flat on the Plains, losing 41-7

By Cameron Roberson | Oct 5, 2014

Two weeks ago, there was very little positive to say after LSU fell to Mississippi State. This week, there may be even fewer positives.

It’s not worth calling out any specific failure on behalf of the team because it was a total systemic breakdown. As Les Miles would say, LSU failed at all three phases of the game Saturday night. The 41-7 loss to Auburn may be the worst loss of the entire Les Miles tenure (this coming just two weeks after what we thought was the worst game in his tenure) at LSU.

We’ve arrived at the point where we should all realize LSU is in a full rebuilding mode this year. The youth is taking over and will need time to develop. Brandon Harris looked about as freshman as he could in his first start, never quite settling down. His first pass of the night sailed roughly 15 yards over the head of Trey Quinn.

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Kendall Beckwith continues to be an upgrade over the incumbent, but he’s prone to the same mistakes. One one of Nick Marshall’s touchdown runs, the same problem of a wide open middle of the field happened, followed by a whiffed tackle by Beckwith.

Another issue, though, is that LSU is having issues with the veterans. Sammy Coates abused LSU deep early in the game, winning 1-on-1 battles against Rashard Robinson and Jalen Mills.

Both of those guys were around last year and are supposed to be a couple of the best players on the defense. For whatever reason, they could not make plays Saturday night.

LSU found success on first down early in the game, but could do nothing with subsequent downs. Highly limited play calling paired with a QB that couldn’t find his comfort zone ruined 2nd- and 3rd-and-short consistently, when LSU still had a chance to get back into the game.

Oct 4, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) looks for a receiver during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn beat LSU 41-7. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

They dug into the whole bag of tricks Saturday, even including clock management issues to close the half. Harris scrambled into Auburn territory, but instead of spiking the ball or calling a TO, LSU ran a pass play out of the shotgun that ran out the clock.

The unfortunate fact of the matter is that LSU simply isn’t very good right now. They are lacking in the trenches, the linebackers are an abject failure, the secondary can’t win 50/50 balls, and shaky QB play has kept LSU’s playmakers in check.

Brandon Harris suffered an ankle sprain in the third quarter, bringing Anthony Jennings in the game who went a more respectable 5-for-10. It’s anyone’s guess as to whom Miles starts against Florida next week. I would like to see Harris get another run, but expect to see a heavy dose of both quarterbacks as the offense will likely continue to sputter.

Leonard Fournette, for whatever reason, isn’t getting as many carries as he should. Just as in the MSU game, he was LSU’s best rusher against Auburn, but was abandoned in the game plan. A lot of that has to do with LSU getting into huge holes early, but Fournette is one of LSU’s best chances to be competitive and he should be used.

The defense is putting the offense into awful holes and LSU’s game plans are never built around that. Thus, LSU opens with their ball control offense and does nothing to stem the other team’s momentum. Auburn is not going to be the last team LSU sees with a quick, spread offense. Cam Cameron is going to have to change the offensive playcalling, for better or worse, if LSU is to have a chance in its remaining games.

Oct 4, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (44) runs the ball during the second half against the LSU Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn won 41-7. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

This is usually the point in which I tell you all is not lost and to wait and see as this team matures. Unfortunately, this looks like a year-long project right now. The losses are going to mount. There are going to be many, many more head scratching moments. Les Miles has relied on overwhelming teams and executing on offense and defense.

This team can’t do that right now, so the coaches will have to learn to adapt as well. We will see glimpses of what this team can and will be eventually, but they may be few and far between.

We could be looking at a 6-6 team or a 9-3 team. Nine, or eight, wins at this point seems highly unlikely, but that’s the volatility of a youthful college football team. This will be a season in which the coaching staff will have to go above and beyond to get this club to grow.

Buckle up.

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