What Can Stop This Team? 1 thing......

[Fishhead]

Injuries, IMO. 

So, today we lost Justin Jefferson AND Terrace Marshall.  I didn't even realize Marshall was hurt, but I'm seeing he may even require surgery tomorrow, out till probably InbredGumps.  Jefferson out a couple weeks, so UF. 

Divinity?  Who knows?  

Add him to Rashard Lawrence, Logan, Chaisson, and the nagging injuries that guys are playing through on defense.  

UGH!

 

[Nutriaitch]

the injury list is definitely starting to grow a little too big for comfort. 

 

[Herb]

Agreed.

Equally discomforting is the overall performance of the defense. Don't get me wrong, the defense is "good" but it is just not "great" given the talent.  I acknowledge we have a lot of injuries, but given the high level of recruitment over the past decade plus, we sshould also have enough depth so that it's merely "next man up".

It's weird because for years the defense carried the team while the offense had some troubles closing the deal.  Now it is (somewhat) the complete opposite. The offense is carrying this team and we're winning because - so far - we're outgaining the other teams in overall offense and scoring.

As noted by others, we have a young defense and at times we have kids going for the highlight reel play instead of stopping play progress, wrapping up an opponent instead of going for a highlight hit, deciding to strip the ball instead of tackling the ball carrier, or otherwise opting to noy make a "boring" play when they might be able to get a "glory" play.

LSU also seems to be losing the time of possession battles against opponents. Vandy had 32:33 to LSU's 27:27.  Note that Vandy had just one less offensive play than LSU. The ToP factor is somewhat to be expected when we have the AirBurrow offense. Running plays eat the clock, passing plays not as much.

So far, none of this is a worry. That thought needs to be caveated with the understanding that the meat of our conference schedule is just around the corner. We have one bye week and one more non-conference game to heal up as many bodies as we can and correct defensive lapses.

 

[Fishhead]

21 minutes ago, Herb said:

Agreed.

Equally discomforting is the overall performance of the defense.    

 

 I've got to think the 2 are related. At least I hope, and we start getting some guys back on defense that can shore up the middle.

[watson]

Time of possession is a stat that LSU no longer cares about.  

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/recap/NCAAF_20190921_LSU@VANDY/

They needed 2 minutes, 11 seconds, or less on each of their first seven scoring drives. LSU also scored 4 seconds after Micah Baskerville returned an onside kick 46 yards to open the third quarter on Burrow's fifth TD pass.

[Fishhead]

Yeah, time of possession is the least of my worries. We just score to fast, and you will never hear me complain about that.

[Fishhead]

TIFWIW

Potentially good news (relatively speaking) for Divinity and even Marshall. 

Marshall had procedure to repair his foot and it went well. It was a preexisting deal that could have escalated like it did walking to class. Based on early reports, he could be back for Auburn, which means a bye between AU and the team from Tuscaloosa, he should be a go for them.

With Divinity, he reportedly could be ready in two weeks, which means more likely gor Florida game. Still need medical confirmation, but doesn't appear as serious as it did last night. 

Regarding Jefferson, seems minor ankle sprain is the diagnosis. 

Fingers crossed