The grades are in, and they aren’t particularly flattering for a second week in a row for LSU football.
The Tigers suffered their second-straight loss in SEC West play with a 55-17 setback against Alabama on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. The most lopsided loss for the Tigers against the Crimson Tide in series history ensured there were some negative reactions to what unfolded in primetime on national television.
Here is the report card for LSU after the 55-17 loss to top-ranked Alabama.
Quarterbacks: C
TJ Finley remained the starting quarterback for LSU, but Max Johnson also saw some playing time against the Crimson Tide. Finley completed half of his 28 pass attempts for 144 yards and a touchdown, and he avoided throwing any costly interceptions.
Alabama did not make things easy for Finley at times by getting pressure in the backfield and forcing Finley to lose 12 yards on six official rushing attempts. He was sacked four times.
Johnson, who saw more playing time as the game was all but officially declared, was slightly more efficient with his passing, but probably not by enough to suggest head coach Ed Orgeron should consider starting him over Finley next week against the Florida Gators.
Next: Running Backs
Running Backs: C
John Emery Jr. led the Tigers with 79 rushing yards on eight attempts. That stat line was boosted by a 54-yard run. He scored the only rushing touchdown of the game for LSU, who a week ago really struggled to get any running game going against Texas A&M. Although this was a step toward a better day running the ball, which Emery did at brute force at times straight into the Alabama defense, this was quickly not a game that could be dictated on the ground.
Next: Receivers
Receivers: C
This was the first game played since Terrace Marshall Jr. announced he was opting out for the remainder of the football season. Losing its top wide receiver this week didn’t make things particularly easy for LSU. But Kayshon Boutte made some plays and proved he could be relied on to catch the football. Scoring, however, was a bit of a concern. Boutte had one of the offensive plays of the day for LSU, but he dropped the football prior to scoring a touchdown for LSU. Jontre Kirklin made the heads-up play to pick up the loose ball as quickly as he could before the officials blew the play dead at the one-yard line.
Next: Defense
Defense: F
Without trying to be too harsh to the LSU defense, there is simply no excusing giving up 35 points on the first five defensive series, allowing a visiting team to score 55 points in your stadium, or giving up 32 first downs and 650 yards of total offense.
Yes, Alabama’s offense is ridiculously talented and skilled across the field, and quarterback Mac jones may win the Heisman Trophy while Louisiana native DeVonta Smith takes home the Biletnikoff Award, but highlights against the LSU defense will have plenty of room in their acceptance videos should that be the case.
This was a tough night to find any room to defend defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. After two somewhat encouraging showings by the LSU defense, this game was a major step back for the Tigers.
Next: Special Teams
Special Teams: B
Alabama’s punter Charlie Scott only was called on one time during the entire game, and LSU wasn’t even able to get a return out of it. Alabama did do plenty of kicking off to LSU, but returners Kayshon Boutte and Josh Williams combined for four returns of a total of 54 yards. Not one kickoff return provided a jolt for LSU with good field position. Cade York successfully kicked a 52-yard attempt, which cut LSU’s deficit to 52-17 late in the third quarter.
Considering all of the other areas where LSU had problems against Alabama, this was as fine a performance from the special teams unit you could probably ask for. No missed opportunities and no turnovers on special teams is not a bad night. Everywhere else though…
LSU’s next game is scheduled for next Saturday, December 12 against the Florida Gators. This is the makeup date for a game previously postponed due to a COVID outbreak within the Florida program earlier this season. Florida clinched the SEC East Division on Saturday with a win over Tennessee, but the Gators need a win to remain in the mix for a potential spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history.
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