Like it or not, concerns regarding Jayden Daniels are valid
By John Fye
Jayden Daniels must do more than beat Alabama in 2022
“He beat Bama; isn’t that enough?”
No.
Jayden Daniels was poised in the 4th quarter of last November’s clash with the Crimson Tide. His 95 rushing yards were huge for LSU football’s overtime win in Baton Rouge. I could knock Daniels’ 182 passing yards, but I won’t.
Indeed, the Tigers’ quarterback played a great game, earned the win, and deserves the credit he received.
However, that’s not enough. We are LSU, not Auburn. As such, beating Alabama is never enough. Winning championships is the goal.
Jayden appeared poised to lead the Tigers to last year’s College Football Playoff. Two losses were acceptable if LSU managed to win out in the regular and win the SEC Championship Game.
The Tigers followed up the big win over the Tide with a narrow 13-10 victory at Arkansas. Even so, Daniels stunk that day. He threw for 86 yards and an interception on 15 pass attempts. Nevertheless, Harold Perkins had a monster game and led the LSU defense in a stingy performance that enabled the team’s win.
Daniels followed up his clunker against Arkansas with a big win over UAB and then played his worst game of 2022 at College Station.
I won’t pile on much more, but the point is that Jayden Daniels’ 2023 season cannot resemble an EKG reading. Peaks and valleys won’t get it done in the SEC.
Few expect the LSU quarterback to dominate the box score week-to-week, but he cannot disappear in games against 5-win opponents. Moreover, Daniels must have his biggest games against contenders like Tennessee and Georgia.
However, despite all the worry, Daniels is a quarterback LSU football fans must believe in.