LSU at Texas: 5 final thoughts on a game with Playoff implications
It’s the matchup that has the most significance among the AP Top 25 this weekend.
It will determine which of these teams has the best shot at getting into the College Football Playoff down the road.
It’s for bragging rights in the SEC and the Big XII.
No. 6 LSU at No. 9 Texas on Saturday is about as big a deal as a college football game can be during the Week 2 of the regular season.
Here are five final thoughts as LSU prepares to face host Texas:
1. Depth will make a difference
The Tigers have lots of depth and they’re going to need it because it’s going to be hot on the turf at Darrell Royal Stadium.
Much has been said and written this week about LSU coach Ed Orgeron and Texas coach Tom Herman because Herman could have become the Tigers coach 3 years ago. But Herman preferred the Longhorns and LSU wound up with Orgeron, who was its interim coach at the time.
That has little to do with this game except for the fact that 3 years ago Orgeon inherited a more talented team. Both coaches have upgraded the talent level, but Orgeron appears to still have an edge in quality depth, which could be evident by the relative freshness of the 2 teams in the 4th quarter.
2. A committee of one
Speaking of depth, the Tigers will have a big advantage at running back.
The Longhorns have just one scholarship tailback available after their primary backup – freshman Jordan Whittington — was lost for the next month or so because of a sports hernia injury.
Keaontay Ingram is a very good starter, but his primary backup now is freshman Roschon Johnson, who was recently moved from quarterback.
Orgeron said he plans to continue using 5 halfbacks, so the Tigers should have fresh ball carriers all night. The Longhorns won’t have that luxury.
3. Speed, speed, speed
The Tigers showed remarkable speed on the back end of their defense in the 55-3 victory against Georgia Southern in the opener. LSU allowed just 98 total yards.
Of course, the Longhorns present a significantly greater challenge with their skill players – even with the thinness at running back.
But LSU should have no trouble swarming to the ball carriers. If the Tigers tackle well, they can contain the Texas offense, but yards after contact could be significant.
4. Big play from biggest playmakers
Turnovers are a key factor in any game in which one team has an advantage. LSU was plus-2 and Texas was plus-3 in rolling in their openers.
A big play that creates a turnover or a big play in the kicking game could swing this game.
That could come in the form of a sack from Tigers safety Grant Delpit. Or an interception by Delpit. Or a return by freshman Derek Stingley Jr.
If LSU is going to be an elite team, its elite playmakers have to have an impact in games such as this one.
5. Offensive line
Perhaps the biggest question mark on the LSU team remains the offensive line.
The unit did fine against Georgia Southern, but the Tigers didn’t run the ball consistently well and the Longhorns figure to be much harder to block than the Eagles were.
The new and apparently improved passing game is nice, but this week the Tigers need to supplement that with a run game that looks like a traditional LSU run game.
That starts with the offensive line.