It’s Sunday, and for LSU fans it’s a victory Sunday. It’s also time for Two Truths and a Lie following the Tigers big 31-0 win over Mississippi State on Saturday.
Truth No. 1 – Despite the interceptions, this team is winning because of Sam Leavitt.
A lot has been made about Sam Leavitt’s struggles with turnovers, and with good reason. Leavitt was the only player in all of FBS who had at least one interception in every game this season.
That streak ended against Mississippi State. And while it’s been a fair talking point, it has overshadowed several others that deserve just as much attention.
Since the loss to Ole Miss, Leavitt has completed 73% or more of his passes in every game. His QBR has been at 82.0 or higher in six of the Tigers’ seven games this season. And, in his last four games he’s put up 12 touchdowns.
This couldn’t come at a better time for LSU who has seen their run game slow down over the last two weeks.
The Tigers have just one touchdown on the ground in their last two games (by Leavitt), and they’re averaging just 2.7 yards per carry in those games.
Leavitt has been banged up for most of the season, but he’s put the offense on his back as of late and been the key.
Truth No. 2 – The injuries are becoming more and more of a concern.
The loss of Trey’Dez Green, Whit Weeks and Dashawn Spears have been tough enough. The Tigers should get Green back, but still, the rest of the injuries are starting to pile up.
Yesterday, both Princewill Umanmielen and Tre’ Brown left the game early with injuries. It’s unclear how long either one will be sidelined for, but the Tigers have caught some very unlucky breaks with injuries this season.
Losing both No. 7s was a horrible start. Hopefully, they can avoid any other major issues in their final five games. Few teams in the country need the bye week more than the Tigers right now.
The Lie – LSU has no shot at making the College Football Playoff.
The game at Auburn next week is a must win, but every game for LSU from here out is a must win.
That’s what happens when you put yourself behind the eight ball like they did after losing two games in the first month and a half of the season. However, from a resumé standpoint, their two losses are to teams that are currently ranked in the Top-12. They were also both one score losses on the road.
If LSU can win two of three against Texas, Alabama and Tennessee, they can make the playoff. All three of those teams are ranked in the Top-20 right now, and they would have played six of their 12 games against teams ranked at the time they played them.
That 9-3 is good enough to make the CFP, especially in a year with this much carnage and parity in the SEC.
