LSU beat South Carolina on Saturday, but the close win did not squash concerns about the team.
After the win, fans asked about slow offensive starts, the cause of LSU's defensive problems and more.
Questions for this weekly Q&A were pulled from social media and an online submission form found here. They have been edited for length and clarity.
I'd be curious to understand the root cause of the slow starts by the offense. Do we find it to be scheme, execution, tendencies or other? They have the skills to perform better. — George L.
Dating back to the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin — the first game with Joe Sloan calling plays and Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback — LSU has fallen behind 14-0 (Wisconsin), 7-0 (Southern Cal) and 17-0 (South Carolina) in its last three games against major teams.
Wisconsin looked like a case of a first-time starting quarterback trying to get settled, while the problem against USC was short-yardage execution. The Tigers moved downfield with ease on their opening drive, then stalled inside the 10-yard line. When coach Brian Kelly went for it on fourth and goal, pressure up the middle killed the play.
The whole offense looked rattled early at South Carolina, the first time this group has played a true road game. Missed assignments led to pressure, and Nussmeier was sacked twice on third down within the first three possessions. He did not get sacked the rest of the game.
Scheme and execution can go hand in hand. The run game was built around the offensive line, but the unit has not pushed people off the ball as expected. Seeing as LSU has not consistently executed in short yardage situations, especially at the goal line and on third down, the staff needs to evaluate the schemes and the way they are coached.
We got a few questions about play-calling this week, and the results have been mixed so far in Sloan’s first year. The scheme is not stale — think about Zavion Thomas motioning into the backfield or Mason Taylor being wide open on his touchdown — but LSU ranks 51st in the country in scoring at 33.3 points per game and is mediocre on third down.
Sloan will need to work on issues in the red zone and the run game to make sure LSU stops leaving points on the board.
Why are the defensive schemes not producing great results? Talent? — Thomas A.
Do you think the substantial increase in quarterback pressure is the cause for the long runs? — Paul H.
Blake Baker wants to run a lot of man coverage. Well, LSU needs top defensive backs to make that more effective. Three of Missouri’s defensive backs last season were drafted, and LSU’s personnel did not change much. Development has helped the cornerbacks become more competitive, but recruiting will end up making the difference. It was always going to take more than one year for this defense to turn around.
The scheme has helped in some ways. LSU has allowed conversions on 35.3% of third downs, compared to 44.8% last year, because it has created pressure. The downside of this approach is the potential for busts, and LSU has allowed 6.3 yards per play.
But pressure hasn’t caused the long runs. In those cases, LSU’s run fits have to improve and players need to stick to their assignments. Bad eyes contributed to LaNorris Sellers’ 75-yard touchdown because multiple players flowed toward a receiver in motion. On Raheim Sanders’ 66-yard touchdown, the defensive end crashed and Whit Weeks shuffled too far inside, leaving the edge exposed.
Baker should be able to correct mistakes like that while remaining aggressive, but he has to scheme around some positions that aren’t where LSU needs them to be yet.
Why are the defensive coaches having a struggle finding a place that fits Harold Perkins style of play? This is two years now. — John B.
Perkins has an incredible amount of athleticism and speed, but his size (6-1, 225) prevents him from being an every-down edge rusher. As much as he reminds people of Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons (6-3, 245), they are not the same.
That has made it difficult to find a spot within the structure of the defense without turning him into a gadget player, but it’s a shame that someone with his talent has not been fully maximized.
Some of this falls on Perkins. He catches too many blocks instead of striking offensive linemen, and he has missed a team-high four tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
Perhaps returning to strongside linebacker will help him use his speed in space. Perkins blitzed up the middle at one point against South Carolina, and look what happened! He got pressure and recovered a fumble. It’s up to LSU to use him more often that way. He's at his best when he can attack the ball.
The offense seems flat/can be more dynamic. With Ju’Juan Johnson on the offensive side of the ball now, and with a QB background, should LSU be more creative with using him as a weapon? — @GeauxtSports
He could have a role as a receiver out of the backfield. He looked so smooth catching the ball and turning upfield. But Johnson has never played running back before, so he needs time to learn the intricacies of the position. If you’re suggesting that he do some wildcat things and even throw the ball, only if LSU wants to stash a trick play.