Two Truths and a Lie: The season is far from over for the Tigers

By Chris Marler

It’s Sunday morning, which means it’s time to take a look in the mirror and have an honest conversation about the LSU vs. Ole Miss game. 

Truth No. 1 – Michael Cauble may have been right. 

The clip that went viral of Brian Kelly responding to a question about the LSU run game struggles has made its way around social media. Two weeks later, it feels more and more like it was a very valid question. 

Brian Kelly is HEATED after a reporter asked about LSU’s struggles on offense pic.twitter.com/Tqedu1LwwE

— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 14, 2025

The Rebels entered Saturday allowing 190.5 yards per game. LSU managed to get just 59 yards on 21 carries. 

You cannot be one dimensional in this league and win. Period. LSU has to figure something out in the bye week. 

Truth No. 2 – The only thing worse than the run game yesterday was the approach to it. 

LSU clearly has an issue running the football. That’s not a secret, and there’s no reason to pretend otherwise. However, the bigger issue was the approach in the run game. Even with Caden Durham out, LSU was facing what was statistically the worst run defense in the entire SEC. 

Arkansas and Kentucky did whatever they wanted with this Ole Miss defense.

— Hunt Palmer (@HuntPalmer88) September 27, 2025

It feels pretty clear that Garret Nussmeier isn’t at full strength right now. That should have led to a more deliberate approach in the run game, leaning on the backs to carry the load.

Zavion Thomas got the start at running back and took the first carry. He and Barion Brown had five carries combined. Going into halftime, LSU was down 17-7 and their running backs had a total of three carries for 14 yards. Those aren’t earth shattering numbers, but it is nearly five yards per carry. 

I don’t think LSU fans are asking for a 200 yard per game, ground and pound, mauling type of run game at this point. An attempt at intent would’ve been enough. 

Ole Miss’ defense came into this game with the worst rush defense in the SEC

LSU RBs have 3 carries for 14 yards

Idk. Maybe get them involved.

— Chris Marler (@Vern_Funquist) September 27, 2025

The Lie – The season is over. 

Yesterday may have sucked, but there is still a lot of season left.

The defense got exposed a bit yesterday. Whether it’s an injury or not, Garrett Nussmeier looks off. And, the receiver corps that we all thought would be the best in America hasn’t been as explosive as any of us thought. 

However, the ceiling for this team is still extremely high. There’s talent everywhere. You’d have to assume they’ll get healthier considering the pieces that were missing yesterday in Oxford. There’s a lot of meat left on this schedule, but in a year where there are no dominant teams in the SEC, there are winnable games everywhere.