LSU football: week three review – Auburn
In the biggest road test of the year, the twelfth ranked LSU football team had to play a near perfect game to knock off the dominant seventh ranked Auburn Tigers.
In yet another instant classic in the historic LSU-Auburn rivalry, the LSU football team came out on top 22-21. It had everything: defensive stops on fourth down, costly turnovers, big plays, and a walk-off victory. It might not have been perfect, but this LSU team has heart, and it showed with their will to win.
Offense
Coming into the game, this LSU offense had converted just 25 percent of their third down attempts. Against Auburn, the offense looked calm, collected, and managed to convert clutch third downs throughout the night.
As a group, they played cohesively and knew what they wanted to do. Offensive Coordinator called a good game. He gave Joe Burrow plenty manageable throws. By giving Burrow plenty of short drops and quick hitting route combinations, the offensive line wasn’t very stressed. Skill players came up clutch, and the LSU offense got just enough done to win this game.
On the biggest drive of the night, the offense drained the remaining 5:38 on the clock and gave Cole Tracy the chance to become a hero. This LSU football team thrived on great opportunities and clutch plays. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was exactly what it needed to be.
Quarterback
Again, Joe Burrow was left under 50 percent on his throws. However, he had an uncanny knack for staying calm in the pocket. When the pressure was on, Burrow heated up. Burrow converted five different third/fourth down conversions on the night.
Burrow threw back shoulder when he needed, he put his head down and ran when needed, and he lead this team on the field and on the sideline. Burrow is the leader this team has been looking for. Similar to the theme on the night, it wasn’t pretty in its entirety, but Burrow got the job done and never gave up.
Running Back
LSU has unearthed a high quality 1-2 punch at running back. Nick Brossette has shown time and time again that he can carry the load for this team. Clyde Edwards-Helaire showed off his quality hands in the receiving game and excellent ability to make cuts to get all the yards he can.
Totaling 90 yards and a touchdown, these two backs are the focal point of this offense. When they’re rolling and getting momentum, this offense is succeeding.
Brossette is learning when he needs to bounce runs outside, as he showed on one play in the first half. Edwards-Helaire has also improved from earlier in the year on his hesitation behind the line. Without a true workhorse back like the LSU football team is accustomed to, the emergence of Brossette and Edwards-Helaire is quite a great surprise.