Jeff: The good, bad and ugly from Saturday's 42 to 0 LSU win over Tulane

THE GOOD 

LSU’s defense got the shutout it’s been looking for since the beginning of the season.  The comparisons are starting to be made between this defense and the defenses that won national championships in 2003 and 2007. The 2003 defense was one of the best I ever saw, and the 2007 defense was not as good at the end of the season as it was in the beginning. This year’s defense is getting better. 

LSU’s ground game had its best performance of the season. Charles Scott averaged six yards a carry to register his first 100-yard performance of the season. Russell Shepard had another touchdown run and averaged nearly ten yards a carry. Stevan Ridley looked fantastic as he rushed for 73 yards on the final drive of the night. Don’t expect Ridley to get more carries. Head Coach Les Miles wants Scott to have a strong finish. 

LSU also worked in a new fullback, converted offensive lineman Thomas Parsons. He wasn’t exactly sure who to block, but at least he hit someone and helped pave the way for Scott’s second touchdown run.

Senior Trindon Holliday did his best Billy Cannon impersonation on Saturday night. He had two 50 yard punt returns. He’ll need a big return or two for LSU to beat Alabama next week. 

THE BAD

It’s hard to find anything bad when a team wins 42 to 0. But the biggest disappointment occurred on two plays involving quarterback Jordan Jefferson. On the first drive of the night, Jefferson dropped a snap while lined up in the shot-gun formation. That play killed the momentum of drive. Jefferson also threw an interception inside the red zone. Mistakes like that will be costly next week. 

THE UGLY

Drew Alleman’s debut as a punter was not pretty. Alleman was subbing for the injured Derek Helton and he averaged only 26 yards on two punts. Miles said after the game Helton should be available for the Alabama game. Field position will be critical in that contest. 

I happened to walk past the Tulane Athletic Director’s suite in the fourth quarter. The lights were off and no one was inside. I guess they had to catch a Halloween party.