The Halloween dust has settled, and LSU’s November slate remains.
The Tigers have four weeks to sprint toward their College Football Playoff goals, and the path is clear. Four wins will be enough. A loss will be dicey. A pair of defeats would be catastrophic.
That’s reality.
The first two weeks will be at home. The next two will be in the cold. Here’s a thought on all four.
ALABAMA
The Tide’s offense is in crisis. The Tide averaged 49.6 points per game through five contests. After that, 19.3 points per game over three. Two were losses.
The Alabama offensive line allows 2.9 sacks per game. That entered the open date 124th of 138 FBS teams. Their 151.9 rushing yards per game ranked 11th in the SEC.
Still, it’s a Tide team that deserves respect. That 32-0 second half of Kentucky gets more impressive every week as the Wildcats continue to rip off wins. Keelon Russell ranks second in the league in yards per play, and Alabama is 15-5 in its last 20 tries in Death Valley.
TEXAS
Arch and Sark are under the microscope. Trouncing a Kamario-less Mississippi State team doesn’t change that.
Despite Manning’s 80% completion day and three touchdowns without an interception, Texas still only ran for 60 yards on 32 carries against the Bulldogs. The offense just hasn’t been consistent enough.
Texas ranks 12th in the SEC in total offense, averaging fewer yards per game than all but four teams. Those four teams are a combined 4-16 in conference play. Yet Texas has managed to stay competitive thanks to an elite defense. The Longhorns have also allowed the fewest tackles for loss in the SEC.
The wins over a full-strength Ohio State team and at Tennessee are as good a pair as any team in college football boasts.
TENNESSEE
The Vols, like LSU, control their CFP destiny. They’re 6-2 with a pair of three-point losses as the calendar flips, and it’s right in front of them.
Their two November road trips are to Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, who are a combined 1-9 in SEC play. Kentucky and LSU come to Knoxville, and the Volunteers can do their part to knock both down a rung on the CFP ladder. Of course, those visitors can do the same.
Josh Heupel’s offense ranked dead last in the SEC in passing and has made a quarterback switch from Faizon Brandon to George MacIntyre. The offense leans on a rushing attack that is second in the SEC in yards per game and rushing touchdowns.
The defense also allows 11.6 points per game in Neyland Stadium. Alabama mustered 10. Texas only got to 20, which was enough.
ARKANSAS
The Hogs are a mess.
Missouri blasted Arkansas 34-10. The Razorbacks have won one of their last 15 SEC games. This group is 14th in the SEC in total offense and 10th in total defense.
Only Oklahoma produces fewer 10-plus yard plays than the Hogs among SEC teams. Head coach Ryan Silverfield’s offense ran for 59 yards at Missouri on Halloween night.
Hunting season is here, and John Calipari’s basketball team is primed for huge things. By the time the Tigers get to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, fan engagement will be way down. So will temperatures. It’s LSU’s job to show up locked in and red hot. Easier said than done.
