Entering a massive Week 9 game against the 3rd-ranked Texas A&M Aggies, the LSU Tigers already have two SEC losses this season. The first came a few weeks ago in Oxford, as the Ole Miss Rebels handed LSU a 24-19 loss. After bouncing back with a win against South Carolina, LSU fell to the Vanderbilt Commodores this past weekend by a score of 31-24.
Both losses were frustrating to watch, and although they were close games, the Tigers were simply too flawed and missed too many opportunities to be victorious. There are a lot of reasons for both losses, but one common theme against the Rebels and Commodores ultimately made the difference for LSU: The Tigers had no answer for mobile quarterbacks.
Trinidad Chambliss runs wild against LSU
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss came out of nowhere this season and has emerged into a star. Chambliss won a Division II National Championship with Ferris State last season, and began the 2025 campaign as Ole Miss' backup QB. After an injury to Austin Simmons, Chambliss got his chance to start and made the most of his opportunity.
The LSU game marked Chambliss' 3rd consecutive start, so defensive coordinator Blake Baker and company had several games of film to use in their preparation for Chambliss. However, nothing Baker and the Tigers did was effective, as Chambliss ran for 71 yards on 14 carries, which equated to 5.1 yards per carry.
The Rebels dialed up some designed runs for Chambliss, but most of the damage he did on the ground came through improvised scrambles. On several occasions LSU had Ole Miss facing a 3rd and long, and despite having good coverage down the field, the Tigers would give up a chunk play to Chambliss and the Rebel offense would stay on the field. The defense was gassed after being on the field for 50 plays in the 1st half, and ultimately never found an answer for Chambliss' rushing ability. Then it happened all over again at Vanderbilt.
LSU couldn't contain Diego Pavia
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia had an even bigger day on the ground against LSU on Saturday. Pavia was Vanderbilt's leading rusher on the afternoon, amassing 86 yards and two touchdowns over 17 carries. Not having star LB Whit Weeks available definitely stung, but other players simply failed to step up in his absence. Most notably, Harold Perkins Jr guessed wrong and lost contain on several occasions, which led to big plays for Pavia and the Commodores.
Vanderbilt did whatever it wanted on offense, as LSU provided little to no resistance. The Commodores ran for a total of 240 yards and 5.5 yards per carry, and ran for 116 yards in the 3rd quarter alone.
Hopefully Weeks is back in the mix this week against Texas A&M, but regardless of his status LSU needs to figure out how to contain mobile QBs. Texas A&M's Marcell Reed has rushed for 241 yards and four touchdowns this season. Also remaining on the schedule are Arkansas' Taylin Green and Oklahoma's John Mateer, who are also mobile. Blake Baker and company need to figure things out - and quick.