In my Week 2 Predictions, I said I wanted to see a few things from LSU”s tune-up against Arizona. How”d LSU do? – Offensive punch. Check. Balanced attack; nice mid-to-deep pass routes, mostly sharp offensive line, no sacks. We didn”t dominate the game on the ground by any means, but again we took the pass when the opponent was dead-set to stop the run. That”s key. And we managed to get carries for five different running backs, catches for six different receivers and TDs from four different (offensive) guys.
- Defensive dominance. Check. Even with a 75-yard drive to close out the game against the scrubs, Arizona managed only 35 yards rushing and 152 total yards. To be sure, this is no USC, but the longest drive allowed in the first half was 18 yards. Early in the year with a lot of new guys against a near-normal team; that”s not bad. And Darry Beckwith might just be a monster at linebacker. Outstanding.
- JaMarcus all the way. He came out with us up 38-0. Meets my requirements. But I have to wonder if that one minute of playing time at the end of the game really does anything for Perrilloux. Seems too much like a forced thing to get him “playing time”.
- Sharpness. I wanted to see no muffed punts (check) no stupid penalties (mostly check) and no fumbles or bad picks. Of course, we fumbled twice and JaMarcus made a particularly not-good pass for a pick. But in thinking about this week”s game and our upcoming bout with Auburn, I”m glad we had these mistakes. I think it might help keep us just a little humble and keep us from thinking we”re as good as … well, as it appears that we are. Having something to work on this week may be a very good thing.
Make no mistake; it”s still very, very early in the season and ULL and Arizona are hardly stiff tests. But I have to say I”m more impressed with this team out of the gate than I expected to be. More than anything, I”m starting to think Leslie and the coaching staff are paying attention and learning. LSU is doing exactly what it should be doing with the talent it has. That pleases me.
Elsewhere in the SEC, the Cap”n was perfect on picks again this week. No, I don”t count my score predictions … Alabama and Tennessee certainly didn”t go as easily as I thought, but I just count the wins, baby.
9 – 0 for the week; 20 – 0 for the very young season.
