Poor Play and Critical Mistakes Kill LSU in Loss to Arkansas

LSU fans watching at home can be forgiven if they thought they had stumbled on a re-run of last week’s crushing loss to Alabama. Or for pinching themselves to see if they were trapped in the same nightmare scenario all over again.

The scripts were very similar. The team in Red and White was dominating the line of scrimmage, moving the ball at will against a hapless Tigers front.

On the other side, the team in the Purple, Gold and White uniforms was seeing their offensive line melt down and their quarterback make repeated mistakes on simple plays.

The opponent wasn’t Alabama this time. This is a new week, a new opponent, but unfortunately for Tigers fans it was a repeat of the same script. This time Arkansas was starring in the driver’s seat, and LSU once again played the road kill being splattered.

Of course there was more at stake than a single game. LSU had hopes of moving back into position to play in the SEC Championship Game and a possible College Football playoff invite. Leonard Fournette was hoping to reignite his Heisman campaign.

Those hopes are now officially dead and gone. LSU is out of playoff contention and Fournette is no longer a serious candidate for the Heisman.

It will take Herculean efforts to revive Fournette for Heisman, as far as playoffs go this is a case of wait until next year.

Nov 14, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The rest of the game was a virtual repeat of last weeks loss. The Razorbacks immediately muscled up on the Tigers on both sides of the ball, stuffing the Tigers offense and opening holes in the defense while cruising to an easy lead.

Just like last week the Tigers mounted a comeback that gave LSU fans hope they could pull the game out. Two scores to pull the Tigers close, again, a near mirror of last week’s loss. Then in perfect mirror form a complete capitulation.

The Tigers line started making mental errors (again), stopped blocking Arkansas defenders (again) and Brandon Harris passes started veering off course (again). The Tigers were completely shut out down the stretch (yes, again) and were defeated by an SEC West opponent (again).

Nov 14, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Malachi Dupre (15) carries the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

There were some bright spots. Jamal Adams had another excellent game at Safety. Adams made a number of highlight reel plays in the game, as did fellow defender Deion Jones.

Malachi Dupre was very good, making a number of big plays when Brandon Harris was able to get the ball to him. Leonard Fournette was much improved from last week. Harris had his career best yardage total in the defeat.

Fournette’s 91 yards and a touchdown aren’t career bests but anything is a major improvement for the LSU run game at this point.

A few bright spots did nothing to alleviate the pain on a night where the Tigers defense gave up almost 300 yards on the ground and the offensive line was whipped so badly Brandon Harris was sacked six times.

LSU has another trap game ahead. Ole Miss is coming off a bitter, heartbreaking overtime loss to Arkansas and a bye week. The Rebels will be fresh and looking to bounce back against their rival.

LSU has to put this one behind them quickly or a season that is already off track will come apart completely…..