It’s been far more defensive woes than offensive ones for the LSU Tigers three games into the season,
LSU recorded 479 yards of total offense against Mizzou, and 498 yards of total offense against Vanderbilt — and it looked balanced. It looked much difference than the split of 345 passing yards and 80 rushing yards that made up the 425 yards of total offense LSU tallied against Mississippi State in the opener.
But it’s also worth noting the Tigers haven’t faced staunch competition in their last two games, recording their first win of the season against a lowly Vanderbilt whose defense seemed to grow wearier by the quarter.
The Missouri defense currently ranks No. 53 in the nation with with an average of 438.3 yards allowed per game, while Vanderbilt ranks No. 58 in the country, giving up an average of 451.7 yards per game.
[lawrence-related id=11795]
If there’s one particular player just about everyone has kept an eye on this year for the Tigers, it’s redshirt junior quarterback Myles Brennan.
For some, it’s easy to be high on him. For others, cautious optimism seems more reasonable.
Brennan has the numbers. We’re talking 1,112 passing yards for 11 touchdowns with three interceptions through three games. 767 of those passing yards and eight of those touchdown passes happened against Mizzou and Vanderbilt.
Brennan has helped LSU put up no less than 40 points in every game he’s played in, and has a respectable quarterback rating of 63.3.
[lawrence-related id=11782]
Wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. has been a key piece of the offense, reeling in 21 receptions for seven touchdowns so far this year with a long of 75 yards.
13 of those receptions and five of those touchdowns have come over the past two contests.
We know Florida to be an SEC power, one that has particularly given LSU problems and has seemed poised for a great amount of success early on this season.
It looks like a matchup in which LSU could have made a bold statement by getting the win on the surface, considering the Tigers are last in the SEC West and Florida sits at No. 2 in the SEC East and No. 10 in the country.
But the Gators’ defense actually is more lowly than Mizzou and Vanderbilt this year on paper, giving up an average of 495 yards per game, putting them at No. 72 overall in the FBS defense rankings.
[lawrence-related id=11778]
In total offense, Florida comes in at No. 18 compared to the rest of the nation, with an average of 464 yards per game, directly behind No. 17 LSU, which averages 467.3 yards per contest.
Funny enough, LSU ranks just above Florida in total defense with an average of 494.7 yards on defense to make the Tigers No. 71 in the country.
It will be interesting to see how this matchup, which is tentatively rescheduled for Dec. 12, plays out down the line.
LSU is set to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks next at 3 p.m. CT on Oct. 24 in Tiger Stadium.
[vertical-gallery id=11716]