If only LSU could play teams with maroon and white colors every week.
On a blustery Saturday morning in Death Valley, the Tigers bounced back with an emphatic statement, dismantling a depleted Mississippi State squad en route to a 31-0 victory. The shutout was LSU’s first against an SEC opponent since 2007, when LSU shut out the Bulldogs 45-0 to kick off its national title campaign.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt played his cleanest game yet this season, throwing for 289 yards, four touchdowns, and, for the first time all season, no interceptions. Clearly, being forced to stay within the pocket due to continued minor lower leg injuries is paying off with his overall vision and performance.
Unlike previous games, the Tigers did not play with their prey, allowing their inferior opponent to hang around. They efficiently dominated the game like a team with something to prove. The offense methodically drove down the field and scored early and often. LSU’s defense smothered Bulldog backup quarterback Parker Puckett relentlessly all game.
LSU seemed to be striving to play a perfect game, and the pursuit of perfection resulted in a much better product. The Tigers executed in all three phases of the game, determined to make a statement.
Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby decided early that his offense was going to be aggressive and try to convert fourth downs. The LSU defense rose to the occasion each time, stopping the Bulldog offense on all five fourth downs conversion attempts, including a goal line stand at the end of the first half.
Of course, the game would have looked differently if State’s star quarterback Kamario Taylor was able to play, but that is football. Crucial LSU players are missing huge chunks of the season. The goal of the SEC is win, survive, and advance.
Much like the 35-6 thrashing of Texas A&M, following LSU’s loss to Ole Miss, served as a reminder to the SEC and college football world that the Tigers are still dangerous, this second maroon palette cleanser allowed LSU to again showcase the caliber of team it can be (on the right weekend).
The SEC becomes more chaotic with each passing week, as every team now has at least one loss. Teams that previously seemed daunting, now appear a little more mortal. Last week I mentioned that LSU needed some good fortune to even have hope for a shot at the playoffs. Tiger fans might have been praying this week because five teams ranked in the top seven of the AP Poll lost on the same day for the first time in 90 years.
The good fortune is arriving, and the SEC’s teams will continue to beat up each other. Seven games in, LSU looked like a more disciplined and grown-up team on Saturday. The Tigers are going to need to maintain that attitude and behavior during the second half of the season if they hope to capitalize on the chaotic good fortune exploding around them.
My favorite play of the game
The second quarter goalline stand is the easy pick. Mississippi State’s offense was determined to punch it into the end zone before halftime. LSU’s defense had other ideas. Nine plays into the drive, Puckett had State on the two-yard line, ready to score the Bulldog’s first touchdown. Instead, the Tiger defense stymied the Mississippi State offense on four straight plays, ending the drive and preserving the shutout heading into halftime.
Honorable Mention: Cornerback DJ Pickett laying the wood with a massive open-field hit on a Mississippi State receiver early in the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead
The Tigers head next to the Plains, to battle the Auburn Tigers (4-2, 2-2) with another early kickoff. The Barners are coming off a massive 27-24 upset of Georgia. Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown ran wild for 250 total yards (115 rushing yards) and two touchdowns, and the defense forced three turnovers. LSU has its work cut out to prevent Toomer’s Corner from being rolled with toilet paper Saturday afternoon.