Pro Football Focus grades LSU’s Alabama performance

By Hunt Palmer

I’ve been fascinated all season by how the Pro Football Focus grades so accurately reflect how my eyes saw the game in real time. As I watch the football and flow of the game, the details of each individual assignment almost completely elude me. I’m a stats guy, not an X’s and O’s guy. These grades have far more often than not supported my eye. That’s why I couldn’t wait to get to the grades this week.

I didn’t think LSU did much of anything well Saturday night.

Certainly, the Tigers couldn’t stop the run. Alabama passed the ball efficiently and missed a couple of deep shots because of Milroe’s inaccuracy. The LSU ground game popped a couple of nice runs but was just ok. The passing game was a mess in the first half.

So, what did the numbers say?

HIGHEST GRADES:

1. Emery Jones, RT – 76.5
2. Miles Frazier, RG – 71.6
3. Gio Paez, DT – 70.5
4. Caden Durham, RB – 69.8
5. Kyren Lacy, WR – 68.9

When LSU did run the ball, they ran it well to the right. Durham’s first run was exceptionally well-executed by the front and Durham’s eyes and feet. I’m still a little stunned he got run down, but it was a great play. LSU ran right nine times for 72 yards. LSU ran left nine times for 26 yards. Jones and Frazier deserve some credit for that. Jones graded 76.5 in the running game. Frazier’s 69.2 was respectable there. He excelled in pass protection at 84.2

I was a little surprised to see Paez’s name on this list. He played 32 snaps against the run and made one total tackle. Clearly, he was holding up pretty well at the point of attack. It takes more than one guy to stuff a run.

Durham is easily LSU’s most explosive back. He’s proven that even in a season that has been plagued with a toe injury. It’s baffling why he was only in the game for 20 of LSU’s 70 offensive snaps. I was told last week that Durham had a metal insert removed from his cleat. That would indicate to me that he’s healing up, not on a snap limitation. He needs to be on the field, especially considering in six pass protection reps Josh Williams graded 32.0.

Lacy’s grade was bolstered because of a very strong 75.2 run blocking grade. That’s good news for him as his draft season comes to a close. He caught five of his 10 targets and scored the garbage time touchdown. LSU’s offense had its issues Saturday night. Lacy wasn’t one of them.

LOWEST GRADES

1. Paul Mubenga, LG – 42.1
2. Major Burns, S – 42.4
3. Greg Penn, LB – 46.8
4. Jardin Gilbert, S – 47.1
5. Will Campbell, LT – 49.5

The grades suggest it was a rough starting debut for Mubenga. That’s not shocking. He notched just a 27.7 in pass protection. Run blocking wasn’t stellar, 40.5. He allowed Nussmeier to be hit twice and hurried three times.

I’ll pair Gilbert and Burns here although they have different assignments. When plays are busting for huge touchdowns, the last level isn’t holding up. Burns graded 28.2 against the run. Gilbert was a 30.8. Those are very, very low. Burns missed two tackles. Gilbert missed one. The fits weren’t sound. All Milroe needs is a crease. He had more than that time and time again.

Penn gets some of that blame, as well. He graded 39.6 against the run. LSU’s defensive line was never going to be a dominant unit. It was patched together with transfers and position changes. Guys like Paez, Paris Shand, Ahmad Breaux and Shone Washington were always going to be asked to hold up to let the linebackers and safeties produce. When that part breaks down, big plays happen.

Disappointing back-to-back weeks for Campbell as far as these grades go. He had a month from UCLA to Arkansas where his grades were elite. He’s been in the Bottom 5 in the last two games. They tagged him with a 46.1 in the running games and a 52.0 in pass protection. He picked up another penalty on Saturday. That’s eight on the season with three games to go. He had six in his first two seasons combined.