The Badgers’ defense made a smashing debut against the Tigers, and a secondary with three first-year starters could use the experience of facing a more pass-oriented attack. That, unfortunately, was Brandon Harris’ last pass of the night.
Advertisement
On Saturday, LSU quarterback Brandon Harris was benched after an ineffective first quarter which saw him go 1-4 for eight yards with two three-and-outs and no first downs. Etling seemed to have a firm grasp of the offense, anticipating routes, making quick decisions and firing the football with some authority. Jenkins passed for 230 yards and rushed for a team-high 101 yards with a score. The senior fielded a punt at his 40-yard line, evaded tacklers and retreated all the way to the LSU 19 before turning up field and out-running everyone for a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the half.
LSU coach Les Miles said Etling’s night was “not ideal by any means”, but also said the transfer from Purdue “absolutely” put himself in the mix to start going forward. “I played better than I had past year, but you never play a ideal game”. Look America, now is the time to stop this notion that any coach with NFL experience will be great in the college football game.
But this is my read on it. And the most maddening thing for several SEC teams wasn’t losing, but how they lost.
The Tigers also got off to a slow start with their running game, and the plan to lessen the burden on junior running back Leonard Fournette proved futile.
The Sooners have a 4.4 percent chance of winning out.
LSU put in a new quarterback to help the Tigers win 34-13 over Jacksonville State in the home opener at Tiger Stadium. For many folks, it would appear to be a no-brainer.
Right guard Josh Boutte, who started the Wisconsin game but was suspended for a flagrant foul at the end of that game, will be back in uniform against Mississippi State. Jennings was booed even louder by the Tiger Stadium crowd than Harris was last Saturday. “We just need for that capability to continue to come”.
Miles and the Tigers need to keep Harris tanked up mentally for sure.
LSU’s success in 2016 will rely on consistent quarterback play, and while quarterback Danny Etling clearly improved the offense when inserted into the game against Jacksonville State, Miles is not ready to commit to the junior transfer quarterback at this time.
The Tigers almost upset the defending ACC champions Clemson but it was the offense that fell short in a 19-13 loss and that is Malzahn’s area of expertise.
LSU: Barring an injury to Etling, Harris’ next snaps might come in mop-up duty. Certainly, it’s not unusual for that to occur, but the overwhelming feedback I’ve received was that it was excessive. The guy got yanked and hasn’t played well. “I’m happy with what we accomplished and I do believe we will get better”. Outside of his radio show, he said he has not heard much from fans because he has been going into work earlier and staying later.
Advertisement
That’s not a good look either. If the Gamecocks were ever primed for a program-defining upset in 102,000-seat Death Valley, it would be on Saturday night. Let’s see what’s next.
