Who knew the solution to LSU’s offensive problems was the coach who couldn’t get Ole Miss out of neutral 10 years ago?
In three seasons from 2005-07, Ole Miss ranked between 104th and 115th in the nation in scoring under interim head coach Ed Orgeron.
But in one game with Orgeron at the helm, LSU, which had floundered with former coach Les Miles at the helm, suddenly looks like an offensive juggernaut.
The Tigers rolled up 634 yards of offense in a 42-7 victory over Missouri. They did it without star running back Leonard Fournette, who sat out the game with an injury and will miss this week’s game against Florida, too.
“I thought our guys did really well in executing the game plan,” Orgeron said. “That’s what I was most impressed with. Obviously, all the yards and stuff was unexpected. We didn’t know we’d do that well. That gives us something to build on.
“We feel like we have great skill players. The more we can put the ball in their hands in space, the better off we’ll be.”
Funny how Miles and former offensive coordinator Cam Cameron couldn’t figure that out.
Orgeron suggested that may be the the start of an offensive onslaught in Baton Rouge.
Whether Orgeron’s approach really awakened LSU’s offense or Missouri is just that bad may remain in question. After all, Missouri is ranked 82nd in the nation in total defense, and that’s with a blowout victory over lowly Delaware State skewing the stats.
"There will be some new wrinkles every week,” Orgeron said. “Obviously, we want to get to our complete package, but we’re nowhere near where we want to be.”
Whether Orgeron’s approach really awakened LSU’s offense or Missouri is just that bad may remain in question.
After all, Missouri is ranked 82nd in the nation in total defense, and that’s with a blowout victory over lowly Delaware State skewing the stats.
Orgeron supporters would point out that this is status quo for Coach O. They’d illustrate that Orgeron took over as an interim coach at USC in 2013 when Lane Tiffin was fired midway through the season. The Trojans went 6-2 under Orgeron, so some may argue that he should be seriously considered as Miles’ full-time replacement.
Pump the breaks.
Though USC did post a 20-17 upset of No. 4 Stanford under Orgeron’s watch, the other five victories came against opponents with a combined 25-37 record that year.
Orgeron campaigned to retain the USC job, but Clay Helton was hired instead. An argument could certainly be made that USC made a mistake.
An argument could also be made that Orgeron should have considered passing up the interim position at LSU because he was passed over at USC. Why put yourself in a position to be rejected and disappointed again?
But turning down the interim position was not an option.
“It never crossed my mind,” he said. “I was all in. I just jumped in with both feet and started swimming. It was fantastic. There was no question I’d do the best job I possibly could for the players. The players needed it. It was my responsibility, if called on, to do the best job I can for the players and the state of Louisiana.”
Around the SEC…
Who’s hot: Texas A&M freshman running back Trayveon Williams rushed for 98 yards on 14 attempts in last week’s win over South Carolina, and his average-per-carry actually dropped. Williams, who has rushed for 378 yards and four touchdowns in the last three games, is averaging 9.0 yards per carry, which is the highest average among players from “power five” conferences.
Not bad for a backup.
There are no reports of members of the Florida offensive line blocking each other, so that’s progress. Other than that, the play up front has not been good in Gainesville.
Who’s not: There are no reports of members of the Florida offensive line blocking each other, so that’s progress. Other than that, the play up front has not been good in Gainesville. Florida has rushed for just 198 yards in its last two games combined. On the bright side, the Gators have allowed just five sacks all season, but four of those have come in the past two games.
Keep an eye on: Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen's thrown at least two touchdown passes in every game and has not thrown an interception since the season opener. If he can maintain that production, the Razorbacks could have a chance to upset No. 1 Alabama.
Of course, that won’t be easy. Alabama has allowed only four touchdown passes and is ranked 27th in the nation in pass defense. That might be a little deceiving, though. Ole Miss passed for 421 yards against the Tide.
Best matchup: Even though Leonard Fournette isn’t expected to play because of a sprained ankle, LSU’s running game is still formidable. Derrius Guice has actually rushed for more yardage than Fournette (402 to 386). That includes a 163-yard outburst against Missouri last week.
However, the Tigers have yet to face a rushing defense as good as Florida’s. The Gators are ninth in the nation against the run and have not allowed more than 179 rushing yards in a game.
Worst mismatch: LSU’s defensive line is exceptional. Lewis Neal, Davon Godchaux and Co. are the first line of defense on a unit that ranks among the nation’s top 20 in rushing defense and sacks. That doesn’t bode well for Florida and its struggling offensive front. The Gators could not run effectively against Massachusetts, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. They figure to have even less success against LSU.
This week’s games: Tennessee at Texas A&M; Alabama at Arkansas;
LSU at Florida; Auburn at Mississippi State; Vanderbilt at Kentucky;
Georgia at South Carolina