LSU Tigers Football: Defense wins championships; however…

Sports fans are familiar with the adage “defense wins championships” – whether this is true is arguably up for debate. Certainly, in virtually every team sport, having a great defense is half the battle. Just about any of us can come up with examples from college football, the NFL, NBA, MLB, and the NHL of teams with great defenses that also won championships.

The LSU Tigers this year fielded a defense worthy of a championship team.

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The losses to Mississippi State and Auburn notwithstanding, LSU’s defense did play well enough to win in the Tigers’ other two losses to Alabama and Arkansas. Winning those games would have placed LSU in the midst of the SEC West race, and who knows from there. It is amazing after an 0-2 SEC start, and as the calendar turned to November, that LSU was even in this discussion!

The point being that having a great defense by itself is not enough. In what is likely the most obvious statement of the year, you have to be able to put points on the board, too!

LSU fans who watched the Tigers this season know all too well about the offensive woes, particularly the subpar play from the quarterback position. While the LSU defense improved throughout the year and finished on a strong note, it can be argued that the offense regressed, and it was the running game that bailed out the Tigers.

Let’s take a look at the season stats. Defense first, because it’s the best news, as LSU finished at or near the top of the SEC (nationally, as well) in all of the major defensive categories.

Defense

• Total defense: LSU allowed 305.8 yards per game (#1 SEC, #8 nationally)
• Scoring defense: LSU allowed 16.4 points per game (#2 SEC, #3 nationally)
• Pass defense: LSU allowed 162.3 yards per game (#2 SEC, #5 nationally)
• Rush defense: LSU allowed 143.5 yards per game (#7 SEC, #36 nationally)

Offense (make sure you’re sitting down)

• Total offense: LSU averaged 383 yards per game (#10 SEC, #81 nationally)
• Scoring offense: LSU averaged 27.6 points per game (#12 SEC, #76 nationally)
• Pass offense: LSU averaged 163.9 yards per game (#14 SEC, #116 nationally)
• Rush offense: LSU averaged 219.5 yards per game (#5 SEC, #30 nationally)

Okay, so you’re saying “tell me something I don’t already know.” I hear that; just wanted to to put the official stats out there. The LSU Tiger defense is outstanding, and should continue that way as we look ahead to 2015. I won’t get into speculation now as to early departures for the NFL – I’ll leave that to the experts such as Mike Detillier, who was interviewed about this on the Dandy Don website by Scott Long.

In looking at the current LSU roster, it would appear that there will be a lot of depth on defense in 2015. The fact that so many freshman played this year can only help the Tigers.

Regarding the offense, make no mistake, there is a lot of talent there. The offensive line will see some changes next year; however, just like the defense, there is depth.

LSU will be loaded again at running back with Leonard Fournette and Darrel Williams returning, and with several talented recruits arriving. There is a lot of talent at wide receiver. Hopefully Travin Dural returns, and we have yet to see the full potential from the likes of Malachi Dupre, John Diarse, and Trey Quinn.

The issue is quarterback, and we all know it. Much has been written about it during the season, and many a discussion has taken place on the various LSU message boards and sports radio in Louisiana. Much more will continue to be written about it, and discussed, and we’re all looking forward to spring practice to see what shakes out.

The bottom line – Les Miles and company MUST improve in this area if LSU is to compete for future championships. Whether they can develop Anthony Jennings and/or Brandon Harris remains to be seen. Perhaps go the JUCO route again and bring someone in for next year, while continuing to develop other quarterbacks on the roster.

LSU doesn’t need a world-beater at quarterback. A Matt Mauck– or Matt Flynn-type would be just fine. A good game manager that that is smart and can run the offense efficiently. And, who can complete more than 50% of his pass attempts. At the very least, the coaching staff needs to look at the skill sets of the personnel in place, and run an offense that fits that skill set.

Les Miles has had a great 10-year run at LSU thus far. His legacy now though, depends on getting an effective quarterback in here.

How great would it be to combine the current defensive unit with a 2013-like offense.

Other than quarterback, LSU has all of the other pieces in place, and these windows tend to close quickly.