LSU has had an extra week to prepare for Saturday night’s SEC tilt against South Carolina, and Coach Brian Kelly says the focus for the offense has been running the football.
LSU is ranked 15th in the SEC in rush offense, only averaging 104 yards a game.
The lack of a ground game led to Ole Miss only rushing three and dropping eight into pass coverage, making it difficult for a passing game that has yet to find its groove.
LSU’s starting center, Braelin Moore, has appeared in 33 games in his college career and understands the urgency of getting the ground game going.
“Running the ball opens up the rest of the offense, with the inability to run the ball, teams are going to drop eight and then makes its hard for Nuss (Garrett Nussmeier) and the passing game to get going as an o-lineman I take responsibility for that, I feel like that is on us, we need to be better,” LSU starting center Braelin Moore said.
South Carolina is allowing 143 rushing yards a game. Missouri rolled up 285 yards against the Gamecocks, but they have the best running back in the SEC in Ahmad Hardy, who rushed for 138 yards in the 29-20 win.
LSU’s leading rusher, Caden Durham, is expected to play after missing the Ole Miss loss with a sprained ankle.
Overall, South Carolina ranks 11th in the SEC in total defense.
In the Gamecocks' last game, a 35-13 win over Kentucky. USC had six sacks and ten tackles for a loss against a bad Wildcats team.
South Carolina has two good edge rushers, sophomore Dylan Stewart and senior Bryan Thomas Jr. The two have combined for 12 tackles for a loss on the season.
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“I think the strength of their defense is the front seven, they have a good front four, they have good backers too, we just got to be very technique sound and hone in on what needs to be done that’s the biggest thing, we can talk about all we want but we actually got to go do it,” Moore said.
Kelly has said he’s bullish about this offensive line, despite its struggles.
Moore is right, it’s time to for this group to play to its potential or else the Tigers will miss the College Football playoffs.