LSU Preview: Offensive Strategy
The best way to describe LSU’s offense is buttoned-up. They have a clear identity, sound game planning and are fairly consistent in execution. The Tigers coaches like to isolate match ups and showcase their talent. As usual, there’s NFL talent at multiple positions and the group plays with confidence and swagger.
They must be unstoppable right? Not exactly. LSUs buttoned-up style lends itself to being a bit rigid for in-game adjustments. If something affects their schedule and plan, they seem to play flat or make mistakes. This is where South Carolina needs to attack.
The foundation of the LSU offense is its offensive line. The Tigers boast one of the best pass-blocking OT duos in the SEC and they are relied upon to win one-on-one matchups against opposing pass rushers.
Look at this rep… Both tackles dominate their matchups and allow the guards to double-team down on the defensive tackles. The Left Tackle
How will Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart fare isolated against patient and experienced OTs? Can they win reps and force LSU to try to chip with guards, backs, and tight ends? If they can prove to do this early, this will put the advantage on the side of the Gamecocks.
In the run game, LSU is solid but not overly intimidating. South Carolina DTs haven’t been getting as much love as the Edge players but played quite well against Kentucky as a unit. LSU likes to pull blockers, including the tight end across the formation, which results in pinning the defensive tackles down and creating a one-on-one block vs the edge/linebacker. Aggressiveness is key here for the Gamecocks and you can see what type of situations Kennard, Stewart, and even Martin-Scott may be below. Look at #6 for Southern Cal unblocked with a tight end on the right getting ready to pull. #6 dominated here and I expect Gamecocks to do the same.
The LSU Running Back room took a massive loss after John Emery’s season-ending knee injury over a week ago. Their unit is not as formidable as you’d expect from a Program that’s churned out countless star ball carriers. That said, this group has some talent and will be put in situations to see if they’re the “next guy” at LSU, so look for them to run with energy.
On the perimeter, we have a different story. The wide receivers are athletic, skilled and confident. This is the Gamecock corner group’s first real test of the season and it will be fun to watch. A key here will be how much cushion the corners give from the line of scrimmage and when the corner group tries to get aggressive. LSU wants to get their receivers the ball quickly against the cushion, especially on first down, where they can get YAC and set up short-yardage second and third downs.
Look at the below set up and you can see how much Southern Cal’s corners respected the LSU receivers. The key for corners here is to keep receiver in front and then make a tackle or force them in after the catch.
LSU also has one of the more athletic tight ends in the conference in Mason Taylor and I’m most intrigued to see how coaches scheme against him. This could be a big-time matchup for rising star defensive back Jalon Kilgore, as well as the Gamecock safeties and linebackers.
Running the show at quarterback for the Tigers is Garrett Nussmeier whom some believe is a day 1 or 2 round NFL pick candidate next year. In this style of offense, Nussmeier is decisive, has a quick release and can make just about any throw on the field. Pending weather conditions, LSU will want the ball in his hands as much as possible. Against Southern Cal in week one, he threw the ball 39 times with an average attempt of nearly 8 yards per throw, and I expect a similar ideal game plan Saturday against the real USC.
Nussmeier’s biggest weakness is his overconfidence in his own arm as he will try to fit the ball in tight windows. This means there will be opportunities for the Gamecocks defense to defend passes.. and where there are tips, there’re takeaways. The South Carolina secondary has proven to be quite proficient here so far this season and while some turnovers are lucky, the unit’s confidence will be huge going into this one as they expect to take the ball away from opposing offenses. From my experience being in similar film sessions, I’d bet the Gamecocks defense has a goal of 3+ takeaways in this game.
This matchup may favor LSU but also presents win-opportunities for South Carolina. The Tigers will get their points but can the Gamecocks stop them when needed the most? In red zone, third-downs at midfield, etc..
How many points will the Gamecocks offense put up to give the defense some relief? Stay tuned for my next article on the topic.
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