LSU Football: Five takeaways from blowout win over Mississippi State

Sep 16, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball for a touchdown while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Isaac Smith (20) during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball for a touchdown while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Isaac Smith (20) during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 16, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) reacts after a play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) reacts after a play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Jayden Daniels is the right quarterback for LSU Football

Jayden Daniels almost always looks great in the box score, but his decision-making is often an Achilles’ heel for LSU Football. A lot of Daniels’ Week 1 decisions against Florida State are the example of such.

However, the graduate quarterback has looked outstanding in LSU’s last two games.

Daniels threw for 269 yards and five touchdowns in Week 2 vs. Grambling State. He made an effort to progress through downfield reads instead of instinctually taking off and running with football. Nevertheless, what Daniels did to Grambling was taken with a grain of salt because of the noticeable talent gap between both teams.

Critics were muted on Saturday after Jayden Daniels continued finding downfield targets for big yardage. He finished the game completing 30 of 34 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns.

Daniels’ 88.2% completion percentage set an LSU Football single-game record. None of his throws were cheapies, as evidenced by the 11.8 yards per completion stat line.

Garrett Nussmeier remains ready to play and is arguably LSU’s better passer. But at this rate, Daniels isn’t giving his backup anymore than garbage time opportunities.