Jeff: The Good - bad and ugly from LSU's 31 to 10 win over Auburn

THE GOOD


LSU's defense had another fantastic performance. They held Auburn to just 193 total yards, as the War Eagles averaged just 3.2 yards a play. The two things LSU struggled with coming into the game, they were able to correct. They sacked Auburn quarterbacks four times. They had zero sacks in their last four games. The Tigers also did well on third down. Auburn was 4 of 13 on third down conversions.


Jordan Jefferson looked much more comfortable and sure of himself, and it resulted in a solid performance. The sophomore completed 21 of 31 passes for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jefferson also ran for a score. The offensive line gave him some time early in the game, and it allowed the young QB to get into a rhythm.


The LSU coaching staff did a much better job of using its personnel, and it resulted in the best offensive performance of the season. Eight different receivers caught a pass, and true freshman Russell Shepard played several positions, which made it difficult for Auburn to guess what was going to happen. Also, Trindon Holliday caught a couple of passes down field, and true freshman fullback Dominique Allen saw his first playing time of the season. Some new wrinkles led to good results.


THE BAD


LSU Coach Les Miles was not happy with his special teams unit and I don't blame him. Derek Helton's first punt was for 27 yards, and that was the last time he saw the field. Josh Jasper wasn't much better with an average of 38 yards on three punts. One of Jasper's kickoffs sailed out of bounds, and he was 1 for 3 on field goal tries.


The offensive line looked better, but still not good enough. Jefferson was sacked three times, and there was no consistent running game. T-Bob Hebert was called for a holding penalty as well. If you take away Shepard's 69 yard touchdown run, LSU had just 53 yards on 31 carries. In two weeks, LSU will need to run the ball to beat Alabama.   


UGLY


LSU was hit with 9 more penalties. That's now 18 penalties in the last two games. Three of the flags were offsides calls on LSU's defensive linemen. Defensive Tackle Charles Alexander was guilty twice of that infraction.


Jefferson's fumble at the goal line in the 2nd quarter was the low point for the Tigers. LSU had the ball at the 1 yard line, and instead of handing it off to Charles Scott, Jefferson's number was called. Jefferson lost two yards on his first rush, and then fumbled the ball on his second carry. When its 1st and goal at the one, just give the ball to Scott and let him muscle the ball into the end zone.