We would love to have you as a premium member of TigerBait. Subscribe now and enjoy all of the benefits of a subscription. Click here to join
LSU will reach the halfway point of the 2018 regular season at the conclusion of its game against Florida at the Swamp on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers are one of four undefeated Southeastern Conference teams – along with Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky. More impressively, LSU is ranked No. 5 in the country.
No one expected the Tigers to be in such a position. Upset victories against Miami and Auburn have enabled LSU to be 5-0. Tigers coach Ed Orgeron has some reasons for his team’s surprisingly fast start.
“We are playing as a team,” said Orgeron at his media luncheon Monday. “We have ruled out individual goals. This is a non-selfish team. We have gotten a lot of guys involved in the program. Guys like Stephen Sullivan, Dee Anderson and Racey McMath are getting their chance and are excited about it.
“The addition of the analysts has us so much more prepared this year than last year. We are much more organized. The players have that ‘want to’ and will to win. They have that look in their eye. Then, there’s the turnover ratio.”
LSU lost the turnover statistic for the first time this season last week in its 45-16 victory against Ole Miss. Quarterback Joe Burrow and running back Nick Brossette lost fumbles in the red zone. The Tigers’ lone takeaway came on a Grant Delpit interception.
Those two lost fumbles may have been overlooked due to the impressive work by Burrow and his receivers. Burrow completed 18 of 25 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns.
“Joe is making progress,” Orgeron said. “The passing game against Ole Miss was what I thought we would see this year. We have finally gotten the receivers in the right spot. We have found places where they can get open.”
Orgeron identified some other surprises from his team during the month of September.
“I knew we would be solid on defense,” Orgeron said. “(Cornerbacks) Kristian Fulton and Kelvin Joseph continue to make progress. The biggest surprise has been (inside linebacker) Jacob Phillips. I knew he would be and outstanding player, but I didn’t know how fast he would mature. He has done that.
“On offense, I always thought we could run the ball. I thought we had good running backs. Nick Brossette has been running faster than in previous years. Clyde (Edwards-Helaire) has been what I thought he would be.”
Orgeron expressed his satisfaction with a few areas during the victory against the Rebels.
“The offensive line did a very good job,” Orgeron said. (Offensive line) coach (James) Cregg deserves a lot of credit for patching up that line. Donavaughn Campbell and Adrian Magee did well against Ole Miss. The receivers had their best game. We were waiting for a breakout game from them.
“The defensive backs had an excellent game. They did a tremendous amount of work all week on coverages. Now, there were some things on defense we can do better – our run fits and our play up front. We still need a better pass rush Our four-man pass rush is not where it needs to be.”
Florida is now coached by Dan Mullen, the former Mississippi State head coach whose team handed the Tigers a 30-point beatdown last season in Starkville.
“Dan had a great game plan against us,” Orgeron said. “We have to be prepared for it this time. They want to run the ball. Their strength is defense. (Defensive coordinator) Todd Grantham is a defensive line guy. He coaches his players to attack. They have the best defense we have faced this year.”
Orgeron feels that offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles will be back for Saturday’s game. Orgeron is hopeful that center Lloyd Cushenberry will be able to go against the Gators. Charles went through practice Monday, while Cushenberry was simply an observer.
“We are happy we are 5-0, but we are nowhere satisfied,” Orgeron said. “We have a lot of things to fix. Our guys are going to do that and then it’s on to the Florida Gators.”
LSU Tigers Columbia Ascender Bonded Softshell Jacket - Gray
from: Fanatics
