LSU Football settled for playing conservative when it was time to go for the throat

All offseason we talked about how the LSU Defense needed to improve and yet, they didn't do all that bad in week one. Heading into the drive where USC won the game the Trojans only had 20 points and the Tigers defense held a Lincoln Riley offense to only 27 points.

The Tigers offense had way too many chances to put this game away and they never went out and won the game.

The LSU offense got the ball back up 17-13 late in the third quarter and could've put USC up against it with a score that would've made it a two-possession game in the fourth quarter. The Tigers then ran John Emery Jr for four yards, threw an incomplete pass to Trey'Dez Green, and completed a three yard pass to Josh Williams before punting.

Notice that none of those plays went to Kyren Lacy or Mason Taylor who torched USC in the first half or to prized transfer addition CJ Daniels.

The Tigers got the ball with the lead late in the game after forcing a turnover on downs yet, LSU couldn't capitalize. They started off the drive with yet another handoff to John Emery Jr which got blown up for a loss of five which was followed by a 14-yard reception for Ka'Mourreun Pimpton leaving the Tigers with a 3rd and one. The prized offensive line couldn't get a push and Emery lost a yard as the offense went three and out yet again.

Notice the trend again, the offense went with John Emery Jr and Ka'Mourreun Pimpton rather than targeting Kyren Lacy or CJ Daniels or Mason Taylor. Brian Kelly also trusted Josh Williams enough to give him the 18 but, didn't trust him to get a yard when LSU needed it the most.

Down 20-17 the Tigers again had a chance to score a touchdown and force the Trojans to play aggressively on their final drive. The Tigers drove down thanks to Aaron Anderson and Zavion Thomas who wouldn't have played much if not for injury. The Tigers had to settle for a field goal and again, none of LSU's top playmakers were given the ball.

You play to win the game!

As the great Herm Edwards yelled one time " You play to win the Game!". Instead when the game got to the fourth quarter LSU played to not lose the game rather than going for the jugular. The Tigers had far too many chances to win this game but, rather than going back to Kyren Lacy or taking a deep shot to CJ Daniels, they kept going back to running John Emery Jr who entered the night as RB3 into the offensive line. The entire USC sideline knew LSU was going to run the football and given how they played they were happy to see it.

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Note: All stats via ESPN