At some point, LSU Football is going to have to prove it can run the football

One of the biggest reasons that the LSU Football team lost to USC on Sunday night was an inability to run the football. LSU's top running back duo Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams rushed 15 times picking up 51 yards averaging 3.4 yards per carry. The only back that had success was John Emery Jr rushing ten times for 61 yards for 6.1 yards per carry.

This isn't a new story however, as it's been a recurring theme for Brian Kelly's teams at LSU. Through three seasons, the LSU Football team has only gotten solid rushing production from Jayden Daniels.

In 2022, it was running back by committee as Jayden Daniels led the team in rushing while everyone at running had mixed results. These numbers were heavily skewed by games against Southern, New Mexico, and UAB but, LSU rushed for 5 yards per carry as a team in 2022.

In 2023, it was more of the same as Jayden Daniels led the team in rushing with 1,134 yards and ten touchdowns. The Tigers averaged 6.2 yards per carry but, when you remove Daniels' production they rushed the ball 295 times for 1525 yards or 5.1 yards per carry. The team again struggled to run the football against the better teams on the schedule while the numbers are bloated due to games against Army, Grambling, and Georgia Southern.

The struggles to run the ball effectively against the best teams on the schedule are troubling, especially post-Jayden Daniels. The LSU Football team has one of the best offensive lines in the country yet, its a struggle to gain yards against the best teams.

The schedule won't give LSU chances to see results

The LSU Football team's schedule won't provide many challenges until the next big test for this team. Before LSU hosts Ole Miss they'll face Nicholls, South Carolina, UCLA, and South Alabama who LSU should beat with ease. At this point, the Tigers can't afford to lose to Ole Miss and they can't afford the offensive output they had on Sunday against the Rebels.

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