LSU’s resurgence came to an abrupt end during a 10-0 loss to No. 1 Alabama last Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers (5-3, 3-2 in the SEC) had rolled to three victories in three games after Ed Orgeron was named interim coach to replace the fired Les Miles. But the offensive shortcomings that were paramount in Miles’ dismissal were ever-present in the sixth consecutive loss to the Crimson Tide.
Now with visits to Arkansas and Texas A&M sandwiched around a home game against Florida, LSU’s focus goes from trying to make a belated run in the SEC West title chase to becoming bowl eligible.
“When we took over the team, we didn’t talk about any goals,” Orgeron said. “We were going to play with energy. We were going to play with excitement, and we were going to play one game at a time and none of that has changed.
“There was no talk of championships, there was no talk about the future. There was talk about let’s practice better today. Let’s take care of the day, and let’s take it one game at a time, and that remains.”
LSU held Alabama scoreless into the fourth quarter, but the defense couldn’t withstand a total lack of assistance from the offense. The Crimson Tide had season-lows in points, yards (323), passing yards (107) and completions (10), but it not only scored all its points in the fourth quarter it possessed the ball for 13:35 of the final 15 minutes.
A year after holding All-America running back Leonard Fournette to 31 yards on 19 carries, Bama held him to 35 on 17 carries. Danny Etling completed 11-of-24 passes for 92 yards with one interception and five sacks.
“It was a very poor offensive performance, we struggled to run the ball and we struggled to pass protect,” Orgeron said. “Our defense played its butt off. We lose as a team, but we just couldn’t get anything going on offense.”
The Tigers are ranked No. 19 as they prepare to face Arkansas, a team that has beaten them the last two seasons.
If Orgeron is going to be Miles’ permanent replacement, LSU is going to have to impress down the stretch. This will be LSU’s first road game under Orgeron.
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–Alabama exposed the limitations of junior QB Danny Etling, who had been adequate against lesser competition since replacing Brandon Harris in September. Etling was sacked five times and consistently pressured and missed receivers. If the Tigers are going to get back on the winning track Etling will have to get back to being adequate in the passing game.
–T Toby Weathersby is healthy and back on a line that needs to stabilize and put behind it a poor performance against Alabama. The Tigers don’t really have natural tackles on the line, but Weathersby at right tackle can help anchor the unit.
–DT Greg Gilmore was a key contributor to an outstanding performance by the defensive line againstAlabama. He helped clogged the middle so Kendell Beckwith and Duke Riley could make tackles from their linebacker positions. LSU will need similar interior productivity to slow down the Arkansas offense.
–OLB Arden Key was sackless for just the second time this season against Alabama, though he did generate pressure and made a fumble recovery. Pressure and sacks will be vital against the Razorbacks talented offense.