LSU Tigers
SEC
These days anything but a trip to the SEC Championship game and BCS bowl is not acceptable for LSU. Thus, a 5-3 record in conference play was disappointing. Losses at Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama are not bad by any means, but for all to happen in the same season is too much for LSU fans. This is a talented Tigers squad that can beat anybody on any given day. But unlike Tiger teams of the past, this group feels like it could lose to anybody on any given day too.
2013 Record: 9-3, 5-3
Coach: Les Miles
Coach Bowl Record: 6-5
Big Wins: 9/21 Auburn (35-21), 11/23 Texas A&M (34-10)
Bad Losses: 9/28 at Georgia (41-44), 10/19 at Mississippi (24-27)
Strengths:
The LSU offense can be surprisingly potent. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger threw for over 3,000 yards and tallied 22 touchdowns. The senior signal caller was only picked off eight times. However, his collegiate career is over due to a knee injury. Anthony Jennings showed plenty of promise in his 99-yard game winning drive against Arkansas. It helps that Jennings has Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham to work with. Landry caught 75 passes for 1,172 yards and ten touchdowns. Beckham is the bigger play receiver, catching 57 passes for 1,117 yards with eight trips to the end zone. Having a third receiving option would be nice, but Landry and Beckham certainly get the job done. The ground game, led by Jeremy Hill, has been strong. Hill rushed for 1,185 yards and 14 touchdowns. Terrence Magee, Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard, the power back, have all had good outings.
Weaknesses:
The LSU defense ranked 7th in the SEC in rush defense. The Tigers were outrushed 565 to 234 in their three losses and that will again be key in the bowl game. The defensive front has not done a great job of getting into the backfield and the lack of penetration hurts the unit in both the passing and rushing game. Linebackers Lamin Barrow and D.J. Welter are the top tacklers on the team and they have been asked to do a lot. For the most part they have lived up to the potential. Overall, this is a pretty young team and freshmen like Tre’Davious White are getting better by the game. That is good news for next year, but it has caused problems in 2013.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Jeremy Hill, RB, 1,185 yards
Passing: Zach Mettenberger, QB, 3,082 yards
Receiving: Jarvis Landry, WR, 1,172 yards
Tackles: Lamin Barrow, LB, 86
Sacks: Jermauria Rasco, DE, 4.0
Interceptions: Jalen Mills, CB, 3
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 200.8 (35th in nation, 6th in conference)
Passing Offense: 265.1 (33, 4)
Total Offense: 465.9 (26, 6)
Scoring Offense: 37.0 (21, 6)
Rushing Defense: 148.8 (44, 7)
Pass Defense: 200.8 (16, 3)
Total Defense: 349.7 (20, 4)
Scoring Defense: 22.7 (32, 6)
Turnover Margin: -0.2 (71, 11)
Sacks: 2.00 (62, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 1.75 (45, 6)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl Clemson (24-25)
2011 BCS Championship Alabama (0-21)
2010 Cotton Bowl Texas A&M (41-24)
2009 Capital One Bowl Penn State (17-19)
2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl Georgia Tech (38-3)
2007 BCS Championship Ohio State (38-24)
*all team stats through 11/30
