LSU may have two losses, but the Tigers do not resemble an ordinary two loss football team when the season is measured statistically.
Through games played on October 17, LSU leads the Southeastern Conference in both total offense and total defense. The Tigers also rank first in passing offense, rushing defense, first downs and fourth down efficiency.
LSU is 5 and 2 overall and 2 and 2 in conference play following its 31 to 0 victory over Mississippi State. The Tigers have scored 283 points while allowing only 111, producing a scoring margin of plus 172.
The following rankings come from the SEC’s overall statistics, which include every game played by each conference team.
Overall Standing
LSU remains in the crowded middle of the SEC standings because of conference losses to Ole Miss and Kentucky. The Tigers are still within reach of the conference leaders, but their remaining schedule leaves little room for another setback.
The overall numbers suggest LSU is better than its conference record.
• Overall record: 5 and 2
• SEC record: 2 and 2
• Home record: 5 and 0
• Road record: 0 and 2
• Points scored: 283
• Points allowed: 111
• Average scoring margin: Plus 24.6 points per game
LSU averages 40.43 points and allows 15.86 points per game. That difference explains why five of LSU’s seven games have been decided by at least 29 points.
Offensive Rankings
Lane Kiffin’s offense ranks first in the SEC with 504 yards per game.
LSU is also first in passing offense at 308 yards per game and fourth in rushing offense at 196 yards per game. The Tigers are averaging 6.4 yards per play and have scored 36 offensive touchdowns.
The offense has produced 20 rushing touchdowns and 16 passing touchdowns.
LSU’s most impressive offensive rankings include:
• Total offense: No. 1 at 504 yards per game
• Passing offense: No. 1 at 308 yards per game
• Rushing offense: No. 4 at 196 yards per game
• Scoring offense: No. 2 at 40.43 points per game
• First downs: No. 1 at 27.86 per game
• Third down conversions: No. 2 at 53 percent
• Fourth down conversions: No. 1 at 83 percent
• Time of possession: No. 2 at 32 minutes and 56 seconds per game
The Tigers have converted 56 of their 105 third down opportunities. They have been even better on fourth down, converting 10 of 12 attempts.
LSU’s ability to sustain possessions has created a major advantage for the defense. The Tigers have run 555 offensive plays while their opponents have run only 419.
Defensive Rankings
Blake Baker’s defense is not merely improved. It is statistically the best overall defense in the SEC.
LSU ranks first in total defense, allowing only 256.43 yards per game. The Tigers are also first against the run and fifth against the pass.
Opponents are averaging only 4.3 yards per play. LSU has surrendered 13 touchdowns in seven games, including only four through the air.
The defensive rankings are loaded with elite numbers:
• Total defense: No. 1 at 256.43 yards allowed per game
• Rushing defense: No. 1 at 88.14 yards allowed per game
• Passing defense: No. 5 at 168.29 yards allowed per game
• Scoring defense: Tied for No. 2 at 15.86 points allowed per game
• Opponent first downs: No. 2 at 13.57 per game
• Opponent third down conversions: No. 3 at 31 percent
• Opponent fourth down conversions: No. 2 at 18 percent
• Sacks: No. 2 with 26
• Interceptions: No. 4 with seven
The fourth down defense has been especially impressive. Opponents have converted only two of 11 attempts.
Mississippi State went zero for five on fourth down during LSU’s shutout victory. Those stops helped LSU record its first shutout of an SEC opponent since 2007.
LSU has also recorded 50 tackles for loss and 26 sacks. The Tigers have been able to create pressure without constantly exposing the secondary to risky coverage assignments.
Special Teams Rankings
LSU’s special teams have been reliable in the kicking game, although the return and punting numbers remain closer to the middle or bottom of the conference.
Scott Starzyk has converted all 35 of his extra point attempts and eight of 10 field goal attempts. His longest successful field goal is 49 yards.
LSU’s special teams rankings include:
• Extra point percentage: Tied for No. 1 at 100 percent
• Kickoffs: No. 4 in the SEC’s official kickoff rankings
• Field goal percentage: No. 8 at 80 percent
• Punt returns: No. 8 at 9.83 yards per return
• Kickoff returns: No. 9 at 18.75 yards per return
• Punting: No. 13 with a 36 yard net average
Starzyk has produced 41 touchbacks on 50 kickoffs. That has helped LSU limit dangerous return opportunities and regularly forced opponents to begin possessions deep in their own territory.
Grant Chadwick has averaged 40.55 yards on 22 punts. LSU has punted far less frequently than many SEC teams because the offense has consistently extended drives.
Sam Leavitt
Sam Leavitt ranks third in the SEC in passing and third in total offense.
Leavitt has completed 148 of 211 passes for 1,785 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His completion percentage stands at 70.1 percent.
He has also rushed for 270 yards and seven touchdowns. His combined production gives him 2,055 yards of total offense, or 293.57 yards per game.
Leavitt’s SEC rankings include:
• Passing: No. 3 at 255 yards per game
• Total offense: No. 3 at 293.57 yards per game
• Completion percentage: 70.1 percent
Leavitt produced his cleanest performance of the season against Mississippi State, completing 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Dilin Jones
Dilin Jones has become one of the SEC’s most productive all around running backs.
Jones ranks fourth in the conference with 80.86 rushing yards per game. He has carried the football 128 times for 566 yards and five touchdowns.
His contributions extend into the passing game. Jones has caught 26 passes for 190 yards, giving him 756 yards from scrimmage.
• Rushing: No. 4 at 80.86 yards per game
• All purpose yards: No. 6 at 108 yards per game
Jones has handled a heavy workload while continuing to contribute as a blocker and receiver. His versatility gives LSU an answer when opponents attempt to take away the deeper passing game.
Jackson Harris
Jackson Harris leads LSU with 456 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions.
Harris has caught 27 passes and averages 16.9 yards per reception. He ranks 10th in the SEC with 65.14 receiving yards per game.
His performance against Mississippi State included six receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Harris has developed into Leavitt’s most dangerous vertical and scoring threat.
Princewill Umanmielen
Princewill Umanmielen has been one of the most disruptive defensive players in the conference.
Umanmielen ranks second in the SEC with eight sacks. He is also second with 11.5 tackles for loss.
• Sacks: No. 2 with eight
• Tackles for loss: No. 2 with 11.5
His pressure off the edge has helped LSU accumulate 26 sacks while allowing opponents to complete only 59 percent of their passes.
Deuce Geralds
True freshman Deuce Geralds has quickly become one of LSU’s most productive pass rushers.
Geralds ranks fifth in the SEC with five sacks. He has also recorded five tackles for loss, four quarterback pressures and one forced fumble.
Producing five sacks through his first seven college games places Geralds among the conference’s most impressive young defensive players.
TJ Dottery
TJ Dottery leads LSU with 54 tackles.
The linebacker ranks seventh in the SEC with 7.7 tackles per game. He is also tied for third in the conference with two forced fumbles.
• Tackles: No. 7 with 54
• Forced fumbles: Tied for No. 3 with two
Dottery has become the steady presence in the middle of Baker’s defense. His production has been especially important while LSU has managed injuries at linebacker.
Other Individual Leaders
Several other Tigers appear among the conference leaders.
• Jordan Ross ranks 10th with seven tackles for loss. He also has 2.5 sacks, an interception return for a touchdown and a forced fumble.
• Scott Starzyk ranks sixth in scoring with 59 points. He is eight for 10 on field goals and 35 for 35 on extra points.
• Tamarcus Cooley leads LSU with two interceptions.
• Winston Watkins Jr. has 33 receptions for 447 yards and two touchdowns.
• Eugene Wilson III has 23 receptions for 247 yards and handles LSU’s punt return duties.
The Numbers Say LSU Is Still Dangerous
The conference record tells one story. The complete statistical profile tells another.
LSU is the only team currently ranked first in the SEC in both total offense and total defense. The Tigers also sit among the conference leaders in scoring, rushing defense, passing offense, sacks, third down efficiency and time of possession.
The biggest concern remains turnovers. LSU has thrown eight interceptions and lost three fumbles while forcing nine total takeaways. Cleaning up that margin could be the difference between simply producing impressive statistics and making a serious run during the second half of the season.
LSU already has the offense to move the football against anyone. It has the defense to control games. It has one of the conference’s best pass rushes and a quarterback capable of producing nearly 300 yards of offense every week.
Statistically, LSU remains one of the most complete teams in the SEC.
Sources
• Southeastern Conference Football Statistics
• LSU Football Cumulative Statistics
