Orgeron may simplify offense

LSU did just enough on offense to come out of Arkansas with a 24-17 victory against the Razorbacks last Saturday night.

However, that 24-point output matched the lowest for a Southeastern Conference team against Arkansas this season. Texas A&M also defeated the Hogs by a 24-17 score.

The Tigers offense enjoyed an outstanding day in a 36-16 victory against Georgia last month. LSU ran for 275 yards and quarterback Joe Burrow passed for 200 yards. But, the Tigers offense has slumped since that victory against the Bulldogs.

In the past three games, LSU is averaging just 95 yards rushing and 169 yards passing. The offense has scored a total of four touchdowns in games against Mississippi State, Alabama and Arkansas.

“We have lost our identity on offense since the Georgia game,” said Ed Orgeron at his weekly media luncheon Monday. “We have been trying some new things. Maybe we have put in too much. We need to simplify.

“I told (offensive coordinator) Steve (Ensminger), ‘let’s look at what we did vs. Georgia.’ Are we trying to cover up for some of our weaknesses? Is it that we can’t get enough receivers out in routes because of pass protection?”

Burrow threw his first touchdown pass since the Ole Miss game in late September against Arkansas – a 40-yarder to Justin Jefferson. For the season, Burrow’s passing numbers are average at best – a 55 percent completion rate with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

Jefferson has been the lone consistent pass receiver with 42 catches for 669 yards and three touchdowns. No other Tigers wide receiver has caught more than 18 passes. Ja’Marr Chase is the only other LSU receiver with more than one touchdown catch. He has two scoring receptions.

At least, the running game has been a pleasant surprise this season. Nick Brossette is on pace for a 1,000-yard rushing year. Clyde Edwards-Helaire could rush for more than 750 yards.

“Coming into the season, there were questions about our running backs,” Orgeron said. “There are no questions about our running backs any more. I love Nick. I hope he gets 1,000 yards. Then, Clyde has had a good year too.”

LSU is a 40-plus point favorite against a Rice team whose only victory came against Prairie View from the SWAC. Nine of the Owls’ nine defeats have been by at least 14 points. The one close loss came against previously winless UTEP 34-26.

“Our focus is to be 9-2 at the end of the week,” Orgeron said. “The target this week is Rice and nothing else. We are 8-2 and I am very proud of this football team.”

Victories against Rice and Texas A&M would give the Tigers their first ten-win regular season since 2012. Moreover, a 10-2 record most certainly would put LSU in a New Year’s Six Bowl game – Sugar, Fiesta or Peach.

“It is really important for the players to get to a New Year’s Day bowl game,” Orgeron said. We have talked about finishing strong. We have to play well this week and play well next week.”

Orgeron said that cornerback Kristian Fulton will be out for an extended period of time. Kelvin Joseph should be healthy enough to replace Fulton in the starting lineup. If Joseph cannot play, Kary Vincent would be the starting cornerback as he was for most of the second half against the Hogs.

According to Orgeron, safety John Battle may be able to play against Rice. Defensive end Breiden Fehoko will not be on the field against the Owls, but he may be ready the following week against Texas A&M. The game against the Aggies is shaping up to be a very important one for the Tigers.

“This team wanted to win the national championship,” Orgeron said. “We never set that as a goal for this team. I know the expectations at LSU. We were down after the Alabama game. We had to look at what we could accomplish after that game.

“We are getting the most out of this football team. We still have two tough games to go. Going to a New Year’s bowl game would be a good step for this team.”

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