In 2024, LSU is having trouble managing the football program.
This is surprising because LSU had four returning offensive line starters going into the season, including two future first-round choices in Will Campbell and Emery Jones, and had constructed the most effective rushing assault in the country in 2023.
Although he is still young, Caden Durham, a true freshman, offered a spark. Since current quarterback Garrett Nussmeier isn’t doing well with his legs, LSU also misses Jayden Daniels’ legs.
Because defences aren’t concerned about a quarterback taking it home, LSU’s run game has become more predictable.
The offensive line is also under more pressure. Blocking six defenders is simpler than blocking seven. Additionally, LSU frequently blocks stacked boxes when there is no read guy.
Despite being effective, LSU’s passing attack doesn’t stretch the field as much as Thomas Jr. and Nabers did the previous season. That has occasionally resulted in congested crates as well.
If LSU wants to prevent second-half meltdowns like the one it had against Texas A&M, its offence must be a more cohesive unit.
Although LSU has an opportunity to improve its run game during the bye week, let’s examine the numbers that explain the team’s poor performance until they return to action the following week.
This statistic best demonstrates how ineffective LSU’s run game is. Opportunity rate is another name for four-yard run rate. Getting 4+ yard chunks on the ground on a regular basis helps teams remain ahead of the chains.
It’s crucial to be able to convert a 1st and 10 into a 2nd and 6 or a 2nd and 6 into a 3rd and 2.
Only 4+ yards are being gained by LSU on 43.5% of its runs. It is not among the top 100 nationwide. The Tigers need far higher efficiency numbers, but LSU doesn’t need to be as explosive as it was the previous season.
Nussmeier and the passing game will be in a better position to perform as a result of the pressure being lessened on the entire offence.
LSU is stuffed way too frequently in addition to not getting four yards when it counts. When it comes to getting three yards for a first down, LSU’s run game puts the offence in second and long situations.
An SEC rushing assault that should be able to overwhelm the majority of teams on its schedule shouldn’t do that.
Brian Kelly has stated that LSU needs to improve its ability to check plays when the Tigers see a loaded box, but some of this is on the offensive line.
Although Nussmeier wasn’t anticipated to be a runner, this statistic best captures the stylistic shift from 2023 to 2024. Last year, LSU’s running assault was led by the quarterback. There is no quarterback run game this year.
Opponents enjoy a numerical advantage within the box since defences are no longer required to factor in an extra man. That has been difficult for the Tigers to handle, but there are workarounds. After the bye week, we’ll see if LSU has a strategy in place to deal with this.
There is no one factor that can be blamed for the difficulties. In addition to the offensive line’s ups and downs and design issues, LSU running backs have also had difficulty generating yards after contact.
Josh Williams, Kaleb Jackson, and Caden Durham of LSU rank 25th, 26th, and 28th in yards after contact among the 32 eligible SEC running backs.
All of them are talented and occasionally put on a standout performance, but LSU needs more playmaking to compensate for its shortcomings in other areas.
Daniels is most missed by LSU in this area. Daniels placed second in the country in 20+ yard runs and within the top 10 in 10+ yard carries in 2023.
He was the nation’s most explosive player, and LSU is having trouble replicating that quality in 2024.
Durham has made 74 attempts and scored 10 runs for 10+ yards, demonstrating promise in this area. Durham’s 42.7% breakaway rate has them in the top 10 of the SEC, but LSU needs to do it more frequently.
This statistic encapsulates all of the problems. To put it plainly, LSU’s run game isn’t providing enough value.
LSU’s EPA/run is in the 19th percentile nationwide, which is far lower than what was anticipated going into the season.
Although the offence has found ways to be productive, this club would be much more competitive if they had a stronger rushing attack.
