LSU-Eastern Michigan: 3 Things We Liked and 3 We Didn’t
By Scotty Nola
Like: That Deep LSU Backfield
Oct 3, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) runs against the Eastern Michigan Eagles during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Eastern Michigan 44-22. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
On the final drive of the fourth quarter LSU alternated Darrell Williams, Derrius Guice and Nic Brossette.
All three looked really good in a display of pure dominance that closed out the game with a victory formation run from inside Eastern Michigan’s 5 yard line.
LSU has the deepest, most talented stable of running backs in the country.
That final drive showed just how good and more importantly — how deep — they really are behind the Heisman favorite.
Dislike: Cam Cameron
As long as Brandon Harris was making incremental gains in the passing game we could make excuses for the play calling deficit. In a game like this one there are no excuses.
Cam Cameron is running an LSU offense that looks like a throwback to the 1970’s.
It isn’t just the heavy reliance on running the ball. When you have Leonard Fournette and a powerful line you should run the ball a lot. No question about that.
The problem is the team at this point has completely given up trying to throw any short, efficient passes. Every passing route is a deep route, and all the throws are at least 15-18 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
This type of passing attack leads to feast or famine conditions. When it’s good the QB can get 150+ yards and keep the defense honest enough to create opportunities in the running game.
When this throwback style deep ball exclusive passing attack bogs down you get what the Tigers had tonight: a QB stat line that reads 4 total receptions for 80 yards and one interception.
That will not beat Ole Miss. That will not beat Texas A&M. And that certainly will not beat Alabama. This has to improve, but if the plays aren’t even being called there is little chance of that.
As things stand LSU will have to count on the offense to get production from Fournette and hope Brandon Harris gets hot when they need him. Count on luck, in other words, because this passing game can’t manufacture points on demand….