LSU Wins in More Ways Than One

The early stages of LSU vs. Arkansas on Saturday appeared to suggest more of the same for the Tigers. The defense struggled against an offense led by a mobile quarterback. Of course, the offense toiled in neutral while working with the efficiency of a TSA skeleton crew. Despite the slow start, the home team never lost its composure. The Tigers won the game under interim head coach Frank Wilson. Perhaps more importantly, they showed prospective coaching candidates that LSU might be the job opening that’s best suited to win immediately.

LSU Beats Arkansas

Tigers Show Resolve in Comeback

As if the Razorbacks’ potent offense wasn’t enough, Arkansas returned a blocked punt for a touchdown on LSU’s first possession. A special teams touchdown and eventually a two-score first quarter lead seemed insurmountable for an LSU offense that hasn’t been able to get on track.

Although LSU fans wouldn’t wish injury on Garrett Nussmeier, many were excited to see what Michael Van Buren could do in his first start in Tiger Stadium. That excitement faded quickly as inaccurate passes contributed to empty drives, and viewers could practically feel the anxious energy of the crowd through the television.

Fortunately, Van Buren settled down and finished the game, completing almost 70% of his passes. The LSU defense got stronger as the game went on. Harold Perkins continued to give the Tigers’ northern neighbors nightmares with an interception, sack, and two tackles for loss. The Tigers followed a punt-filled third quarter with a 92-yard touchdown drive in the fourth when they had to have it.

The circumstances of the game included an early kickoff, the absence of significant attainable goals, and a sparse home-field crowd. LSU got off the mat when it had every opportunity to lie down, and that proves that there is still fight in this team.

Immediate Returns

The Tigers are now bowl eligible with two games left on the schedule, which isn’t typical of a team that’s searching for a head coach. While we might not know if Van Buren is the future of the program, we know that he doesn’t shrink in the big moments. Sure, he was inaccurate at times. But chemistry, timing, and familiarity are all factors that coexist with natural ability.

LSU will have its annual November cupcake in Western Kentucky next week. Regardless of the true nature of Nussmeier’s injury, we find it far-fetched that he’d come back for that blockbuster matchup. That’ll give the team another opportunity to grow with more game reps from its former backup quarterback. Speaking of Van Buren, creative play calling late in the game looked random, but helped the young quarterback. It encouraged a “nothing to lose” mentality that inspired confidence.

Defensively, Blake Baker’s group has now held the Arkansas offense to 15 points, one week after holding Alabama to 20 at home. It’s even more impressive when considering LSU hasn’t had one of its best defensive players in Whit Weeks in its past four games. At least on the field, it’s not all bad for the Tigers. They have a chance to finish the season on a high note.

Effects Off the Field

There was a lot to like for anybody who might be considering the LSU job. Wilson hinted at playing more inexperienced players, and that came to fruition today. Dylan Carpenter and CJ Jackson saw time at defensive end. Transfer receiver and New Orleans native Destyn Hill got meaningful snaps at wide receiver. This was not by accident. However, the season plays out, Wilson understands that he has a good chance of remaining on the staff. He’ll help both himself and LSU if he can entice talented coaching candidates with young and talented players.

On that note, the talent on the staff is more attractive after games like this one. The LSU secondary has consistently played at a high level, and any coach (besides the last one) would gladly walk into a situation with an elite recruiter and position coach like Corey Raymond. The next coach won’t likely have the good fortune of keeping Baker for long as a defensive coordinator, but he’s on campus for now. That helps.

This game was a much-needed bright spot for the program. Anything can happen in today’s college football, so LSU could realistically win out. Let’s say a potential coach sees a program in which 8-4 is a down year and has guys like Caden Durham, Harlem Berry, and DJ Pickett on the sidelines. He might be willing to overlook a little off-the-field nonsense when considering the possibilities. This win won’t decide the fate of the program, but it’s a step in the right direction.