Well, it was fun while it lasted. We went down to red stick and took it on the chin. I would like to say it was just a series of unfortunate events that led to the loss, but it was not. We just got beat. Plain and simple. I am going to deviate from the normal position breakdown of who did good, bad, or indifferent and talk about how units did as a whole as the game progressed. Disclaimer, I read Neal's 10 thoughts last night, and while I was not one of the people that he mentioned talking to who have a high acumen of the game, I did agree with the majority of what Neal was referencing in his column, so some of what I say might sound repetitive and unoriginal.
1st Quarter
We took the ball to start the game. I always deferred unless the weather or some other factor dictated otherwise. Deferring guarantees you a possession in the middle 10. Anyway, we drove down and scored. Dart made some very good throws, but also got away with a pick and a near 2nd pick. Watkins made some things happen early. Mingo got open for a big play and made a great catch. Judkins ran with authority. Honestly though, I did not feel good about it and questioned whether it was sustainable. We have a tendency to struggle once we have gone through the script. Dart had defenders in his face several times and we had the aforementioned near picks, one was saved due to a penalty. Defensively, we bent, but did not give up a td. We were up 14-3 at the end of the 1st and driving again, but I honestly did not feel good about the "flow" of the game. LSU seemed to be imposing their will on us up front on both sides. They were winning the majority of the 1 on 1 matchups up front. We were not able to get any pressure on Daniels, allowing him to get comfortable and find his rhythm. A storm was brewing. I could feel it.
2nd Quarter
We had to settle for the FG to go up 17-3. Big phycological win for LSU. Big difference between a 2 score game and a 3 score game. No one play beat us, let me be clear about that. One play did get the proverbial ball rolling downhill for LSU though, and it occurred in the 2nd. LSU went 75 yards in 5 plays, with Daniels accounting for all but 5 yards during the drive. On 1st and 10 from the 34, he lofted a pass towards the end zone. Ole Miss was in some variation of cover 2, or 2 deep. Igbinosun was the CB on that side. He was playing near/middle flat and Finley was playing the deep quadrant. The receiver was between the 2 and caught the underthrown pass for a TD. Not sure what the defensive call was, but I know the WR was free because he was not redirected to the middle by the CB (DI) and the safety (AJF) was late coming over due to the amount of ground he had to cover. Anyway, a pick there MIGHT change things. We were still getting whipped up front but it is possible that another drive ending with 0 points and if we convert the turnover into a 3 score game, LSU MIGHT lose some of their zeal and energy. LSU then tied the game after we went 3 and out. Daniels accounted for all but 4 of the 78 yards in the drive. They were having their way with us up front. The pattern was set.
3rd Quarter/4th Quarter
We held LSU on the 1st drive of the 3rd, but went 3 and out then gave them a short field with a 25 yard punt. Maybe, MAYBE, a score there would have slowed their momentum and changed the outcome. As it was, that sequence in the middle 10 was a microcosm of how the 2nd half would go. After LSU took advantage of the short field to take the lead, We drove down to the 9 yard line in 13 plays. Judkins had several tough runs, but was not getting big chunks, but rather earning every yard. Malik Heath, who had a good game for us, made a couple of big plays in the drive and we targeted him on 2nd and goal. Dart got pressure up the middle, threw it off his back foot, and their guy made a good play for the pick. Game, set, match. Mo was clearly wearing a white jersey. We all knew what was coming next. LSU went 80 yards, Daniels accounted for 69 of those yards, going 5-6 passing on the drive. We got no pressure on him, allowing him to do whatever he wanted to do. He ran it in from the 11 for the backbreaker to open the 4th.
Summation
A quick look at the talent composite will tell you that LSU has the 8th most talented roster in CFB while we are 23rd. They have 38 players on their roster that are 4 or 5 stars, we have 24. The bottom line was their offensive line dominated our defensive front and their defensive front slowed our run game down and got pressure on JD. We couldn't contain their run game and Daniels did whatever he wanted to do all day long. Losing Troy Brown and AJ Finley was huge, as well as not having Evans at all in the game. Our OL could not slow their pass rush down, especially on the right side. Pettus struggled mightily. I might have considered moving James back outside and playing Acker more. Reality, we have 4 guys back that played on the OL last year, but only Acker is playing where they played last year, and he has been relegated to the 2nd unit, so it is like we have a completely new OL. We have to try to learn what we can from this game, move on, and get ready for next week. We are not elite. We have to continue to recruit better. We can realistically win 3 of the last 4, or we can lose them all. Texas A&M is down, but we can expect to get whatever they have left to try and salvage their season. I will be there. LFG. That is all.
1st Quarter
We took the ball to start the game. I always deferred unless the weather or some other factor dictated otherwise. Deferring guarantees you a possession in the middle 10. Anyway, we drove down and scored. Dart made some very good throws, but also got away with a pick and a near 2nd pick. Watkins made some things happen early. Mingo got open for a big play and made a great catch. Judkins ran with authority. Honestly though, I did not feel good about it and questioned whether it was sustainable. We have a tendency to struggle once we have gone through the script. Dart had defenders in his face several times and we had the aforementioned near picks, one was saved due to a penalty. Defensively, we bent, but did not give up a td. We were up 14-3 at the end of the 1st and driving again, but I honestly did not feel good about the "flow" of the game. LSU seemed to be imposing their will on us up front on both sides. They were winning the majority of the 1 on 1 matchups up front. We were not able to get any pressure on Daniels, allowing him to get comfortable and find his rhythm. A storm was brewing. I could feel it.
2nd Quarter
We had to settle for the FG to go up 17-3. Big phycological win for LSU. Big difference between a 2 score game and a 3 score game. No one play beat us, let me be clear about that. One play did get the proverbial ball rolling downhill for LSU though, and it occurred in the 2nd. LSU went 75 yards in 5 plays, with Daniels accounting for all but 5 yards during the drive. On 1st and 10 from the 34, he lofted a pass towards the end zone. Ole Miss was in some variation of cover 2, or 2 deep. Igbinosun was the CB on that side. He was playing near/middle flat and Finley was playing the deep quadrant. The receiver was between the 2 and caught the underthrown pass for a TD. Not sure what the defensive call was, but I know the WR was free because he was not redirected to the middle by the CB (DI) and the safety (AJF) was late coming over due to the amount of ground he had to cover. Anyway, a pick there MIGHT change things. We were still getting whipped up front but it is possible that another drive ending with 0 points and if we convert the turnover into a 3 score game, LSU MIGHT lose some of their zeal and energy. LSU then tied the game after we went 3 and out. Daniels accounted for all but 4 of the 78 yards in the drive. They were having their way with us up front. The pattern was set.
3rd Quarter/4th Quarter
We held LSU on the 1st drive of the 3rd, but went 3 and out then gave them a short field with a 25 yard punt. Maybe, MAYBE, a score there would have slowed their momentum and changed the outcome. As it was, that sequence in the middle 10 was a microcosm of how the 2nd half would go. After LSU took advantage of the short field to take the lead, We drove down to the 9 yard line in 13 plays. Judkins had several tough runs, but was not getting big chunks, but rather earning every yard. Malik Heath, who had a good game for us, made a couple of big plays in the drive and we targeted him on 2nd and goal. Dart got pressure up the middle, threw it off his back foot, and their guy made a good play for the pick. Game, set, match. Mo was clearly wearing a white jersey. We all knew what was coming next. LSU went 80 yards, Daniels accounted for 69 of those yards, going 5-6 passing on the drive. We got no pressure on him, allowing him to do whatever he wanted to do. He ran it in from the 11 for the backbreaker to open the 4th.
Summation
A quick look at the talent composite will tell you that LSU has the 8th most talented roster in CFB while we are 23rd. They have 38 players on their roster that are 4 or 5 stars, we have 24. The bottom line was their offensive line dominated our defensive front and their defensive front slowed our run game down and got pressure on JD. We couldn't contain their run game and Daniels did whatever he wanted to do all day long. Losing Troy Brown and AJ Finley was huge, as well as not having Evans at all in the game. Our OL could not slow their pass rush down, especially on the right side. Pettus struggled mightily. I might have considered moving James back outside and playing Acker more. Reality, we have 4 guys back that played on the OL last year, but only Acker is playing where they played last year, and he has been relegated to the 2nd unit, so it is like we have a completely new OL. We have to try to learn what we can from this game, move on, and get ready for next week. We are not elite. We have to continue to recruit better. We can realistically win 3 of the last 4, or we can lose them all. Texas A&M is down, but we can expect to get whatever they have left to try and salvage their season. I will be there. LFG. That is all.