LSU laid a stinker in Fayetteville, falling 17-0 to the Arkansas Razorbacks. The loss was the Tigers’ second in a row, and guaranteed they’d finish no better than 4-4 in the SEC. Here are the biggest takeaways from the loss.

  • Anthony Jennings can’t get the job done. The sophomore quarterback was better than 50 percent throwing the ball for the first time in two months, but he totaled just 88 yards through the air and fumbled the ball away on LSU’s best-looking drive of the game. LSU’s offense is young but talented, and Jennings has proven time and again that he doesn’t have the skills necessary to bring that talent together.
  • The defense is darn good. During the Tigers’ three-game winning streak, it was hard to tell if the defensive performance was due to subpar opposition or actual improvement on that side. After holding Alabama in check last week and keeping the Razorbacks under 100 yards on the ground, it’s safe to say the LSU defense is legitimately good.
  • The offensive line lacks depth. Guard Vadal Alexander didn’t make the trip with a hand injury, and center Elliott Porter left the game after hurting his ankle. LSU’s run game, which had been very strong in recent weeks as the offense line came together, suffered accordingly. LSU needs it’s best five linemen out there to run the ball well.
  • Les Miles needs to own up to his word. During the week, the coach said Brandon Harris would finally see some meaningful snaps. The freshman quarterback didn’t get into the game at all, despite the offensive flop. Harris has sparked the offense twice already this season, but he didn’t get the chance against Arkansas.
  • The defense isn’t good enough to win games on this own. In previous years, LSU could crunch teams with big defensive plays alone. That’s just not the case this year; the talent is good, but they don’t have the experience to do that like in years past.