Virtually the entire nation of everyone not named Orgeron or Tim Brando has to be surprised LSU is 5-0 and ranked No. 5 in the country. Brando, a Fox broadcaster and Louisiana native, was on the Paul Finebaum Show on Monday saying he saw this coming, which is why I bring him up. Good for Timmy B, but even Ed Orgeron’s beloved mother, Coco, has to be slightly taken aback.
How has LSU been able to knock off two top-10 ranked teams in Miami and Auburn (wins some have tried to discount, but neither has lost since) and open 5-0 for the first time since starting 7-0 in 2015? Here are five reasons:
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1. Joe Burrow
The Ohio State transfer has come in and been exactly what the Tigers needed. True, Joe is no Heisman Trophy candidate, and it is not out of line to worry about his completion percentage, which finally nosed above 50 percent (53.4) after an 18-of-25 showing against Ole Miss on Saturday.
But check out some other numbers. Burrow and Alabama’s part-time legend Tua Tagovailoa are the only Power Five quarterbacks with six or more touchdown passes (Burrow has six, Tua 14) and no interceptions. They and Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien are the only FBS quarterbacks with more than 1,000 yards passing and no interceptions (Burrow has 1,023, Tua 1,161, Rypien 1,389).
“It’s all in the preparation,” Burrow said of avoiding interceptions. “Knowing when to throw it. But you’ve got to be lucky, too.”
It is important to note that the number of games LSU plays corresponds to the number of games Burrow has started. In other words, the dude has some upside. Going into a big game Saturday at Florida, it is easy to say LSU has the better quarterback.
2. Offensive line
With all the problems LSU has had in this critical area, going back to Ed Ingram’s ongoing suspension this summer, the Tigers have had a different starting five in every game. They could well trot out a sixth combination at Florida if Saahdiq Charles returns at left tackle and injured Lloyd Cushenberry can’t go at center.
Injury, suspension or just plan unsettled competition has hit all five starting positions on the LSU line. Such immense problems should have sunk the Tigers in at least one of their games, but Orgeron has credited new offensive line coach James Cregg with doing a great job at juggling the pieces and somehow making it work. Were LSU to wind up with some sort of championship this season, Cregg should get a statue next to the new one for Billy Cannon.
3. Special teams
While the Tigers have not broken off any huge kickoff or punt returns, special teams has been a definite strength. Cole Tracy’s game-winning field goal at Auburn alone was a major boon, and he has LSU tied for fourth in the Southeastern Conference in field-goal percentage (.833). Punter Zach Von Rosenberg ranks second in the SEC in that department, and freshman kickoff specialist Avery Atkins has been a real find, leading the SEC with 29 touchbacks.
“If we win our phase of the game, it’s up to the offense and defense to win theirs,” Von Rosenberg said Monday. “If we can be better in just one of those areas than the other team we have a great opportunity to win the game.”
4. Defense
The Tigers have perhaps not been quite as dominant in this area as might have been expected, but LSU had had some formidable challenges from Miami, Auburn, Louisiana Tech and Ole Miss. The Tigers held the Rebels’ potent passing game to just 178 yards and 16 points, and LSU is allowing a respectable 15.0 points per game. The biggest plaudit that can be thrown at the LSU defense is forcing turnovers. The Tigers have nine takeaways this season, half their total from all 13 games last season, and LSU’s plus-7 turnover margin ranks second in the SEC only to Florida’s plus-9.
5. Money
OK, LSU has always had money, but it’s the way the Tigers are spending it on their coaching staff.
First, LSU retained defensive coordinator Dave Aranda for a guaranteed four-year, $10 million contract. Wise move. A less obvious masterstroke may have been Orgeron getting athletic director Joe Alleva to allow him to double his staff of off-field analysts from five to 10, something Coach O said has paid big dividends.
“We are so much more prepared this year than all of last year,” Orgeron said. “Dave Aranda was doing practically all the breakdown work, and now it’s all done on Sunday. Guys are giving more advice; we meet more as a football staff this year than we ever have. Guys are in their meeting rooms, offense, defense, special teams; we’re much more organized. I think those things give an effect to a better practice.”
Follow Scott Rabalais on Twitter, @RabalaisAdv.
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