The Bayou Bengals are 2-0 in the Coach O Era, following a 45-10 drubbing of Southern Miss, and Bumper to Bumper Sports host Ben Love points out three key dynamics for LSU in advance of this weekend’s home date with Western division foe Ole Miss.
1. Don’t discard newfound offensive toys for Fournette overload
It feels like sacrilege to suggest getting star rusher Leonard Fournette back is something that needs to be tempered, but that is the case after LSU’s offense has found success with shifty back extraordinaire Derrius Guice and wideout speedster D.J. Chark. Those mouths must continue to be fed, as they have been under new coordinator Steve Ensminger, plus brining BUGA along slowly will also maximize his shelf life for the rest of 2016 given injuries to both ankles over the last two months. Let the Rebels taste just enough of Leonard, but stay clear of leaning on him too heavily Saturday night.
2. Leave Pocic at tackle and keep Dupre involved on offense
The whole Andy Dodd at center, Ethan Pocic at right tackle move seemed to work out pretty well for everybody against Southern Miss. Why change? Already, one practice in this week, Pocic has been spotted back at center due to Will Clapp’s return to practice. This one’s a head-scratcher. Rumblings from within the program suggest Pocic-to-tackle has been desired for the last year. LSU fans finally saw it full-time, albeit due to injury, and already it might be gone. Don’t overthink this one, Dodd appeared to tread water fine. Also, as much as Chark has exploded onto the scene (and as much as quarterback Danny Etling tends to lock in on him), the LSU offense would be wise not to look past a future pro at receiver. Malachi Dupre awoke from his season-long slump in the second half versus the Eagles. He need not be the focal point, but Chi requires a minimum of five targets a game in the slot, for my money.
3. Winning field position can fluster Rebs and Swag Kelly
When backed into a corner, the talented Chad Kelly of Ole Miss has shown his true colors time and again this season – namely that he’ll go for broke. And that has proven to be a risky proposition through three Ole Miss losses in six ballgames. LSU will naturally want to score every time it can to keep up with a high-scoring offense, but sometimes letting Hotty Toddy implode from within can be the best game plan. Especially with the way Josh Growden has been punting of late, allow the latest Aussie import to pin Colonel Reb deep with punts from near midfield and turn things over to a bear in that Dave Aranda defense. The liquor-soaked fans of Tiger Stadium, with that 8 PM kickoff, will also aid in those instances.
– Ben Love