Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
By Hunt Palmer
After the most tumultuous week in decades, LSU’s football program can move forward.
Frank Wilson is in place as the interim head coach, and the offensive staff has been shaken up a bit. Former players were brought in by the dozens over the week to speak to the team and help lift morale at practice.
LSU preseason goal and head coach are gone, but four games remain. Some players will play for their pride in LSU. Some are looking to impress NFL scouts. Some are young and just looking for an opportunity to play.
What Wilson is hoping is that the team plays for the other men in the huddle and on the sideline.
It’s a tough four-game slate. Alabama is playing some of the best football in the country. Arkansas has an explosive offense led by a dynamic playmaker. Oklahoma’s defense has been as good as any in the country, and that game is on the road.
Here are a few things to look for in the season’s final month.
LSU WILL RUN THE BALL
This is the most obvious change that is coming. The running backs coach is running the show, and an old offensive line coach is calling the plays. LSU is going to run the ball. Carius Curne is playing in place of Tyree Adams at left tackle while Adams recovers from a high ankle sprain. Curne’s strength is run blocking. Coen Echols is playing left guard, and his strength is run blocking. Braelin Moore has done a good job at center, as well.
Harlem Berry got the start against Texas A&M, and the ran the ball very effectively in the first half. Expect more of that.
WHIT WEEKS WILL HELP…EVENTUALLY
The injury Weeks sustained is more serious than anyone suggested at Ole Miss. It’s cost him a month now. His status for Tuscaloosa is in question. At some point Weeks will return to play alongside his brother, and that’s going to help the LSU defense. How much? I can’t quantify that. But he’s an emotional leader and the most productive defender on the team.
Weeks will get back on the field as quickly as he can, and he’ll make an impact.
DBU’S LEGACY
I expect Mansoor Delane to be a Thorpe Award finalist. He’s regarded as the best cover man in college football.
Teams have looked away from Delane in recent weeks. He hasn’t seen more than two targets in a game since Week 3 against Florida. He’s not going to jump off the page statistically. Thirteen players nationally have more pass breakups, and he’s only got one interception. He might need to snag another one or two to swing votes his way.
Grant Delpit, Morris Claiborne and Patrick Peterson are DBU’s three Thorpe winners. We’ll see if Delane can run down a fourth.
BUSSING BY BURROW
Garrett Nussmeier has a chance to pass Joe Burrow for second all-time in LSU passing yards. He’s 987 yards shy right now which means he needs to average 246.8 yards per game. He’s at 225.8 this season, but we know that he can produce more than that.
Arkansas is No. 100 nationally in passing defense, and Western Kentucky is 65th. Those will be games where he needs to roll up some big numbers. Of course, Burrow only played two seasons. Nussmeier saw action in parts of five. But finishing second on the all-time passing list is still a great accomplishment.
Tommy Hodson stands 1,530 yards clear of Nussmeier which is 382 yards per game over the final four. If Nussmeier plays in the bowl game, he would need to throw for 306 yards per game over five games to get there. It’s not out of the question, but it’s a long shot.
More LSU Sports
