The LSU Tigers started the 2021 season with new faces and high expectations. Could new hires at offensive and defensive coordinator bring the changes that Tiger fans were accustomed to just two years ago?
We saw that the LSU passing offense didn’t skip a beat under sophomore QB Max Johnson and offensive coordinator Jake Peetz. Over on the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers showed an eerily similar result as it did to start the 2020 season. Missed tackles, confusion in the secondary and big plays haunted the Tigers just like it did against Mississippi State last year.
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The Tigers’ 38-27 loss to UCLA can be looked at in two ways. The first: One game won’t make or break LSU’s season, especially in a non-conference matchup. While Tiger fans are disappointed in the loss, they’ll be willing to forgive if they can head into the Alabama matchup on November 6th with just one loss.
The other way look at it are that the breakdowns that sank the Tigers last year still don’t appear to be be. Might they torpedo yet another LSU season before it ever has a chance? Either way, let’s take a minute and go over the good, bad and ugly play that led to a Tigers loss in Pasadena.
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THE GOOD: Passing game
There were few positive things that stood out against the Bruins, but Max Johnson’s connection to his wide receivers was one of the positives. That was particularly apparent with Kayshon Boutte and Trey Palmer. Johnson finished the game with 330 yards and three touchdowns. While there was a few missed chances that could have resulted in big plays, the LSU passing game shouldn’t be the big issue this season.
Boutte showed why he’s on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List with 148 yards and all three of Johnson’s passing touchdowns. Former Tiger Ja’Marr Chase, who was in attendance at the Rose Bowl, set the bar for these current LSU WRs and I think Boutte is on a similar trajectory this season.
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THE BAD: Running & blocking
While the passing game for LSU looked to be rolling, the running game was nowhere to be found. We learned just prior to kickoff that one of LSU’s top running back John Emery was out due to a reported academic issue. Ty Davis-Price couldn’t get anything going, logging just 2.4 yards per carry on 13 attempts. Coach O said during practices leading up to the game that they had a handful of other backs that could see playing time, but only Josh Williams’s single carry showed up on the box score from the LSU backs.
The Tigers offensive line struggled in this one, in both run and pass blocking. The Tigers top offensive lineman Austin Deculus went down with an injury early on, but returned to the game. The UCLA defensive line was able to put pressure on Johnson, but his mobility helped him avoid taking big losses behind the line of scrimmage. But if the line can’t handle the likes of UCLA, they’ll have their hands full when they get into SEC play, particularly when they meet Alabama, Auburn and Florida later this season.
I’ll chalk this game up to UCLA’s defensive line just being more physical in the trenches. The Tigers can’t afford to let such protection breakdowns continue or they may be looking at repeat of last season’s results.
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THE UGLY: Big-play defense
The LSU secondary didn’t have the same types of breakdowns we saw in 2020, but it was the effort and tackling consistency that haunted the defense. UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet had a huge day, finishing with 117 yards and breaking through for multiple long, backbreaking runs. Bruins QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson wasn’t anything special, but took advantage of his scoring opportunities with three passing touchdowns and effective plays with his legs.
LSU defensive coordinator Daronte Jones only has one game on his resume, but I expect he’ll get this turned around. The Tigers will have the next two weeks against non-conference opponents McNeese State and Central Michigan to work out the kinks.
LSU’s 2021 schedule and results could look similar to what we saw in 2016 season. That year saw LSU lose a road game in a historic stadium (Lambeau Field) against Wisconsin. The Tigers finished 8-4 and with Ed Orgeron taking over midseason. While Coach O’s job is nowhere close to being in jeopardy, the Tigers will need to figure out their identity before Mississippi State and Auburn show up in late September.