It’s a happy Labor Day in Baton Rouge. And it’s on to Week 2.
For weeks, we projected the starting lineup, analyzed depth chart movement and prognosticated about production throughout the roster.
DILIN’S DAY
Saturday we got to see the starters and get a realistic look at where the roster stood on opening night. The lopsided nature of the score did cloud things a little bit as the backups flooded the field in the second half.
Still, here were a few notable trends I saw in Tiger Stadium against Clemson.
It’s clear that Dilin Jones is LSU’s lead back.
The Wisconsin transfer took 23 carries and played 55 snaps. Stacy Gage’s eight carries and 22 snaps were second among the ball carriers. Only three of Gage’s carries came before halftime.
I was a little bit surprised that Harlem Berry didn’t play before halftime. His first carry came with 9:04 left in the game and the score, 44-3. That doesn’t suggest he was part of the game plan at all.
All the backs figure to play against Louisiana Tech, but it’s clear that Jones will be the primary ball carrier moving forward.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Because the score spiraled out of control for Clemson, the snap count lost its relevance after halftime. I was curious to see how the defensive tackle rotation would play out over four quarters. It didn’t, really.
Deuce Geralds and Stephiylan Green are the listed starters.
Here’s the snap count according to Pro Football Focus:
Deuce Geralds – 21
Dominick McKinley – 19
Stephiylan Green – 17
Richard Anderson – 17
Malik Blocton – 13
I do think that group is going to rotate significantly during the season. Saturday didn’t really shed light on what that rotation will look like in a closer game.
RECEIVER ROTATION
The top four wide outs are obvious.
Winston Watkins led LSU in snaps and catches. He played 68 snaps and caught seven passes for 110 yards and a score. Eugene Wilson III played 65 snaps. Jayce Brown played 51, and Jackson Harris played 40.
That quartet is the driving force of the passing game.
Beyond them, true freshman Corey Barber played 23 snaps. Malik Elzy played 15 after being announced as a starter on the jumbotron during pregame. Phillip Wright started as the kickoff returner and made his 14 offensive snaps count with an explosive touchdown catch and run. Tre Brown played seven snaps.
I do expect rotation at the receiver spot moving forward, but the foursome of Watkins, Wilson, Brown and Harris is the top of the pecking order.
BACKUP BREAKDOWN
I was surprised to see Landen Clark enter before Husan Longstreet.
I’d written that Longstreet was the backup. He’d gotten more reps toward the end of spring and during the fall camp workouts we saw. He’s the more heralded recruit and transfer. But Clark was the second quarterback in.
Both played, but Clark saw 20 snaps to Longstreet’s seven.Head coach Lane Kiffin has often said he’s not concerned with star ratings or other offers. He certainly played a Ferris State transfer (Trinidad Chambliss) over a four-star recruit last season at Ole Miss.
I’m not totally convinced that Clark is the back up, but it’s entirely possible after the rotation on Saturday night.
