Three games are in the rearview for LSU, and the Tiger have a 3-0 record to show for it.
LSU has wins over Clemson and Florida thanks to a ferocious defense and an offense that has done enough.
There are still too many lopsided contests skewing stats to truly get a feel for where teams stand, but trends are forming. A look at LSU by the numbers backs up the fact that the defense is playing elite football. The same cannot be said for the offense.
Here’s a look at where the Tigers stand.
Green: Top 25
Red: Bottom 50
OFFENSE
Scoring Offense: 108th, 20.0 ppg
Total Offense: 95th, 345.7 ypg
Yards per play: 105th, 5.26 ypp
Rushing Offense: 117th, 110 ypg
Yards per carry: 109th, 3.66 ypc
Rushing Attempts per game: 115th, 30 att/game
Passing Offense: 62nd, 235 ypg
Third Downs: 70th, 41.5%
20-plus yard plays: 92nd, 11
10-plus yard runs: 103rd, 10
20-plus yard passes: 93rd, 7
First Downs: 76th, 20.7 per game
Sacks Allowed: 48th, 4
Tackles For Loss Allowed: 96th, 18
Clemson and Florida have talented defenses. After three weeks, that has to be taken into consideration when looking at national rankings. However, LSU scored 17 points at Clemson and 20 against Florida with the help of a pick six and another interception that put the Tigers in field goal range before the end of the half.
Skewed because of schedule or not, that’s a lot of red for “Bottom 50” metrics.
The lack of consistency and big play ability in the passing game is a little startling when you consider the personnel. LSU was also exceptional on third downs last season with Garrett Nussmeier throwing the ball. That hasn’t carried over to this offense, so far.
DEFENSE
Scoring Defense: 11th, 9.0 ppg
Total Defense: 25th, 260.3 ypg
Run Defense: 5th, 56.0 ypg
Yards per carry Allowed: 11th, 2.27 ypc
Passing Defense: 66th, 204 ypg
Yards per Attempt Allowed: 26th, 5.4 ypa
Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 22nd, 2
Sacks: 48th, 7
Tackles for Loss: 89th, 14
Third Down Defense: 27th, 27.9%
Red Zone Scoring Defense: 12th, 66.7%
Red Zone Defensive Possessions: 3rd, 3
20-plus yard plays: 12th, 6
10-plus yard runs: 11th, 4
20-plus yard passes: 30th, 6
That’s a lot of green. LSU has been exceptional all over the field on defense. One of the more telling statistics above is the “Red Zone Possessions.” LSU has only allowed three in three games. It’s not a defense that is making a ton of plays behind the line of scrimmage, but the Tigers are so solid across the board that they aren’t relying on havoc to kill drives.
Big plays have been limited. Conversions have been tough to come by on third down and in the red zone. Points have been at a premium.
Clemson and Florida have struggled on offense, but both are far more talented than much of the Power Four competition in September. This unit isn’t just a product of its schedule.
Play in and play out, LSU’s defense is dominating. The statistics reflect that.
