Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #4Downs! In this week’s edition, we look at the LSU Tigers win over Syracuse.
1st Down: So Fresh and So Clean
After having an average of 10 penalties through ten games, the Tigers didn’t have many yellow hankies on the field and that was refreshing to say the least. In fact, through three quarters, there was only one penalty committed by LSU.
Penalties plagued the Tigers throughout last weekend’s loss to Mississippi State and seeing only three penalties for 25 yards was a big boost of confidence in the Tigers potential to achieve their season goals.
2nd Down: Offensive Line Woes Rear Ugly Head
While fewer penalties were a boost of confidence, the offensive line was a gut punch. While there were only two sacks on the evening, it was still concerning to see both Danny Etling and Myles Brennan consistently under pressure.
If that wasn’t concerning, then not having a player go over 100 rushing yards in non-conference action should be worth worrying with the amount of talent LSU has at running back. The lack of depth at offensive line getting exposed by a team like Syracuse has to be extremely concerning with the rest of the SEC slate that the Tigers have coming up.
3rd Down: Is There QB Controversy?
The quarterback play on Saturday may have been the saving grace for this team even with the offensive line issues. Danny Etling showed that he could still sling the deep ball and even Brennan showed solid touch in his limited attempts.
While head coach Ed Orgeron stated after the game that Etling will remain the starter, it seems more and more likely that Brennan could be seeing more playing time as the season progresses.
4th Down: Still Not Comfortable
LSU should have won this game by more than nine points. While it’s good that they didn’t lose this game, having it be as close as it was on Saturday has to make LSU fans feel uncomfortable despite some of the positives seen on the field like Rashard Lawrence getting a sack in his return to the field and Greedy Williams’ interception on Syracuse’s first play.
Looking past Troy cannot be an option this Saturday even if they’re a group of five school. The Trojans have quite a bit of talent that could give LSU a hard time if the offensive line doesn’t hold up.
-Clint Domingue