Statistically Speaking: A look at LSU after a month

We use this space weekly to get introduced to LSU’s upcoming opponent. With an FCS foe coming in this week, that felt like a waste of time.

Instead, let’s look at LSU by the numbers after a month of games.

We all understand that schedules are unbalanced in September. LSU has played three power conference games. Some have a pair of rent-a-wins in the rearview. We’re probably a couple of weeks away from more representative numbers, but an identity is forming for every team around the country.

A reminder that the smaller the ranking, the better the statistic.

Scoring Offense: 28^th, 38.8 ppg

Total Offense: 13^th, 502 ypg

Yards per play: 50^th, 6.4 ypp

Rushing Offense: 29^th, 205.5 ypg

Yards per carry: 66^th, 4.5 ypc

Rushing Attempts per game: 7^th, 45.5 apg

Rushing Touchdowns: 7^th, 13

Passing Offense: 20^th, 296.5 ypg

Passing Attempts: 43^rd, 33 apg

Completion Percentage: 87^th, 62.1%

Passing Touchdowns: 75^th, 6

Interceptions Thrown: 132^nd, 6

First Downs: 14^th, 25.5 per game

Third Down Conversions: 15^th, 51.6%

Fourth Down Conversion attempts: 63^rd, 7

Red Zone Touchdown Percentage: 78^th, 62.5%

20-plus yard plays: 27^th, 23

10-plus yard runs: 24^th, 26

20-plus yard passes: 14^th, 20

Sacks Allowed: 69^th, 7

Tackles For Loss Allowed: 115^th, 25

Time of Possession: 25^th, 32:44 per game

This offense is moving the ball extremely well and leans heavily on the ground game. Those are hallmarks of head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. offenses. The offensive line is allowing too many negative plays, and Sam Leavitt’s interceptions are concerns moving forward.

Efficiency in the running game needs to be better, but LSU’s offense has been pretty good through four games.

DEFENSE

Scoring Defense: 27^th, 15.5 ppg

Total Defense: 3^rd, 226.8 ypg

Yards per Play Allowed: 3^rd, 3.84 ypp

Run Defense: 2^nd, 47.5 ypg

Yards per Carry Allowed: 2^nd, 1.7 ypc

Rushing Touchdowns Allowed: 26^th, 3

Passing Defense: 38^th, 179.3 ypg

Completion Percentage Allowed: 43^rd, 58.7%

Yards per Passing Attempt Allowed: 23^rd, 5.9 ypa

Interceptions: 17^th, 5

Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 24^th, 3

Sacks: 1^st, 19

Tackles for Loss: 6^th, 33

Third Down Defense: 25^th, 29.8%

Red Zone Touchdown Percentage Allowed: 80^th, 62.5%

20-plus yard plays allowed: 25^th, 11

10-plus yard runs allowed: 22^nd, 11

20-plus yard passes allowed: 51^st, 10

Blake Baker’s team has absolutely overwhelmed everyone aside from Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss. LSU is creating as many negative plays as anyone in the country. The run defense has been outstanding. Even with Chambliss’s big game against the Tiger secondary, the pass defense numbers are still pretty good.

Losing Whit Weeks and Dashawn Spears is going to sting, but there is some depth that will have to step up.