It doesn't have to be complicated for LSU football to have success on offense, or at least the Tigers don't want it to be.
Tigers coach Ed Orgeron has said repeatedly throughout the week he wants to simplify things at the line for quarterback Max Johnson and the rest of the offense. But what does that mean? It largely falls on first-year offensive coordinator Jake Peetz, whom Orgeron is pressing to call the play and stick with it while the LSU offense runs an up-tempo offense.
"The operation on the sideline has to be exact," Orgeron said. "I think getting the play in early, not changing the play at the line of scrimmage and run it is gonna help.”
LSU's coach said the streamlining the play call to snap process was a point of emphasis in practice all week, and the offense graded at "100%" each day. But that won't mean anything against unbeaten Kentucky unless the Tigers translate that improvement to the field.
The offensive approach against Auburn caused clear frustration for Orgeron, who's touted the Tigers' "warp" offense as a key piece in the success leading into a deflating loss to Auburn. The approach was stifled by frequent changes at the line to try to get into a "perfect" play, slowing the attack and bogging down potential good plays in pursuit of great ones.
"I think it’s taken a while for us to work out some kinks, find out our identity and know our personnel. And then get in the game-type situation and know what we can and we can’t do," Orgeron said. "Obviously there’s things that we need to coach better — that’s my responsibility — and there’s things that we need to play better. But on the coaching part we need to get better.”
It's not the first time Orgeron has stepped in to address issues with the play-calling. He notably clashed with former offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who parted ways with LSU after one season. It'll be worth watching to see if Peetz can fulfill the head coach's vision out in Lexington this week -- and if that results in a more effective attack against a stout Wildcats defense.
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LEFT TACKLE NOW A STRENGTH?
LSU's head coach didn't pull any punches when he evaluated the left tackle position earlier in the season: The Tigers didn't have a reliable one.
The position is of slightly lesser importance with a left-handed quarterback, considering the right tackle is the one handling the blind side. But it was one of many issues for a group that's struggled for the better part of two seasons in both pass protection and run blocking.
Orgeron said he sees that position much differently five weeks into the season, with the impressive play of Anthony Bradford and a return to health for opening day starter Cam Wire.
“Now we’ve got two guys that we can play at left tackle, which is good," Orgeron said. "We didn’t know who we had to play at left tackle, and now we’ve got two guys I believe that can go in the game and do very well.”
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WATCH OUT FOR THE SCREEN GAME
LSU has an aggressive defensive front -- at least when they aren't facing the air raid -- and if the Tigers aren't careful, that will play right into Kentucky's strength on offense.
The Wildcats utilize an array of screen plays to take advantage of an undisciplined defensive front, and that's a key element Orgeron said he's watching for early on. Kentucky used their screen game to great effect in an upset of Florida, and those game-breaking plays are something LSU needs to make sure they're on the lookout for and handle well in hostile territory.
"The linemen are going to have to show up," Orgeron said. "It’s going to be a big key in the ballgame, especially early. … Those plays can be game-breakers.”
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ON DEREK STINGLEY JR.
The news on star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is ... that there is no news. Orgeron declined to give any additional information when asked about the junior's availability days after it was revealed he underwent an undisclosed procedure on an injured foot that's kept him out the past two games.
Orgeron said that typically he wouldn't disclose injury details at all, but the statement was crafted through conversations with Derek Stingley Sr. It's unclear whether the cornerback will return this season, after which he's expected to be a top prospect in the next NFL draft.
"We wanted to go ahead and say there was a procedure," Orgeron said. "That was a team thing, we all got together and said that. That’s all we’re going to say.”
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