Statistically Speaking: A look at LSU through three games

By Hunt Palmer

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.