1. BULL DURHAM
LSU’s running game was in desperate need of a spark. Freshman Caden Durham lit a fuse. He got the Tigers on the board while down 17-0 with a determined 26-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, then scored on another bullish 9-yard run in the third. He ended up as LSU’s leading rusher with 11 carries for 98 yards. It’s too early to say he takes over the position, but he is a factor now.
2. MISTAKES, MISTAKES, MISTAKES
South Carolina certainly took the fight to LSU from the start, but the Tigers seemed just as intent on doing themselves harm. A turnover. A blocked punt. A botched extra point. Eight penalties for 70 yards. And miscommunications on the offensive line and in the defensive front seven that cost LSU valuable plays and allowed the Gamecocks to break two long TD runs of 75 and 66 yards.
3. BORDERLINE
LSU can be stoked about rallying for the 36-33 victory, but let’s be honest: The Tigers made too many errors to beat the best teams on their schedule such as Ole Miss and Alabama. The significant doubts about this team, particularly about handling basic assignments on defense and (who would have thought?) blocking for key yards on offense remain. The Tigers will be big favorites the next two weeks but must improve a whole lot to beat the Rebels on Oct. 12.
