Statistically Speaking: LSU by the numbers in September

By Hunt Palmer

LSU has reached its first open date of the 2024 season. The Tigers rebounded from a disheartening loss in the season opener to win four straight games in September. SEC play awaits, but first LSU will have a chance to self-evaluate and work toward improvement without a gameplan to install this week. College football’s opening month is riddled with talent mismatches and lopsided scores. It also features high profile matchups both in and out of conference play. Because of that, statistics can be skewed week to week. With that understanding, here’s a look at how LSU has looked according to the numbers after a month of play.

OFFENSE

Garrett Nussmeier continues to rank among the country’s elite in the passing game. He’s tied for the lead among all FBS quarterbacks with 139 completions. He ranks third in the nation in touchdown passes with 15 and fifth in the country in passing yards per game with 331.2. He and TCU’s Josh Hoover are tied for the most passing attempts in college football with 199.

Kyren Lacy didn’t have a touchdown catch on Saturday, but he’s still No. 8 in the country with five scores through the air.

LSU’s offensive line has protected Nussmeier brilliantly. LSU is fourth in the country in pass attempts, but only four teams have allowed fewer sacks. Oklahoma State, Army, New Mexico and Georgia Tech have allowed fewer than LSU’s two.

The Tigers rank No. 22 in total offense at 468.2 yards per game, and LSU has converted 52 percent of its third downs which his No. 13 in the country.

On the flip side, LSU is No. 100 in the country in rushing offense and No. 128 in rushing attempts. Only six teams in college football run the ball less often than LSU.

DEFENSE

The defense still doesn’t look great on paper.

LSU’s ranks 15^th in the 16-team SEC in yards per play allowed. Only Mississippi State is worse. The 5.85 ypp is No. 94 in the country.

LSU is only one spot better in terms of yards per game allowed, No. 14 in the SEC.

The Tigers are statistically the worst passing defense in the SEC. No one has allowed more yards through the air per game. Nationally, LSU ranks No. 96 in passing yards allowed per game, No. 113 in total passing yards allowed and No. 118 in completion percentage allowed. Opposing offenses are completing 66.4 percent on the LSU secondary.

The sack numbers are good. LSU ranks No. 12 in the country in sacks and No. 9 in sack yardage.

LSU run defense has been middle of the pack. The Tigers allow 3.76 yards per rush which is No. 60 nationally.