News came out this week concerning the USA Today Coaches Poll. LSU is #4 and Oregon is #3, so you could not have asked for a better Saturday night match up in Arlington, Texas. In our second installment in the Can't Miss It 2011 Series, we cover the upcoming game between the Oregon Ducks and the LSU Tigers.
Oregon vs LSU
8:00 PM - September 3rd
ABC
Coach Les Miles is one of the best Coaches in the country. Often misunderstood and second guessed, he finds himself in the toughest division in the toughest conference in the country, The SEC West. Last year's squad went 11-2, and convincingly beat Texas A&M in The Cotton Bowl (41-24). They return 8 offensive and 7 defensive starters.
LSU has been known over the years for a menacing disruptive defense, and this year looks to be more of the same. D Coordinator, John Chavis, who is an SEC veteran, knows what it takes to get the 3 and out. There were some key losses to the NFL draft this year, including 2 All-Americans in CB Patrick Peterson (Arizona Cardinals) and DT Drake Nevis (Indianapolis Colts). Losses on the defense include big time contibutors including Lazarius Levingston (DL) and All-SEC Kelvin Sheppard (LB), so some impact will be felt there. LSU is loaded with players, and they will step up.
On the Defensive short list of players to keep a close eye on this year and this game in particular include a pair of great cornerbacks in Morris Clairborne and Tyrann Mathieu. They lead a very talented LSU secondary. The defensive line is headed up by Sam Montgomery, and the line backing crew looks solid with Ryan Baker and Stefoin Francois. Last year's defense ranked second overall just behind Alabama, and this year should stay near the top of the pack again.
The Offense is a bit of a different story. Last year they were near the bottom of the SEC in almost every category, and a lot of attention has been paid by Coach Kragthorpe and company in tweaking for improved numbers. It all starts up front with the O Line, and LSU loses just one on the front lines in Joseph Barksdale (Oakland Raiders). Holding down the O Line will be P.J. Lonergan (Center), some combination of Will Blackwell, Josh Dworacyzk, and T-Bob Hebert at Guard, and Alex Hurst (Tackle), and Chris Faulk at Left Tackle. They should give Senior QB, Jordan Jefferson, some time to distribute the ball. His efficiency has to go up this year and his interceptions have to come down for LSU to navigate a very tough schedule.
A pair of solid receivers in Rueben Randle and Russell Shepard, and a very solid Tight End in Deangelo Peterson will be stretching the defense as LSU's downfield passing game looks to be improved. The ground game will be led by Spencer Ware, who has a shifty bruising style made for goal line and 3rd and short conversions. Ware was showcased in The Cotton Bowl as a sign of things to come were he produced 102 yards on 10 carries. Look for a team as good as last year's squad on both sides of the ball.
Oregon's Head Coach, Chip Kelly as well as Les Miles, have been dealing with Willie Lyles talk during this off season, and I'm sure they are both ready to get through camp and onto the season. Coach Kelly is entering his 3rd season at Oregon and he's lost just 4 games in the stretch. Oregon has secured 2 PAC-10 titles in his 2 years, and they now find themselves in the PAC-12 North (which also includes, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington, Washington State, and California). So aside from Stanford, the North is there for the taking.
The NFL draft did not pluck Oregon completely dry, but they will feel the loss of 1st Team PAC-10 Linebacker Casey Matthews (Philadelphia Eagles), and a pair from the D Line in Rowe and Bair. The Defense last year was at or near the top of every conference statistic, with D Coordinator, Nick Aliotti, at the helm. This year should be a bit different as Oregon returns only 5 on Defense. Stopping the run, which looks to be their weakness, will have to be a focus in this game against LSU.
The Linebackers will be a step down from last year's squad. Take note the team's returning tackle leader is Strong Safety, Boyett. Look for sack production to continue from one of Oregon's best threats, Senior, Josh Kadu (LB). Big things are also expected from Michael Clay (LB).
The secondary will be led by All-American, Cliff Harris, but not for this game. He was driving a University employee's car earlier this year at 100+ speeds, and he has been suspended from the team. He will miss the LSU game. Harris will be missed, he is a great defensive back and is also proficient at returning kicks. He is always a menacing threat. The rest of the Oregon Secondary is highlighted by John Boyett (SS) and Eddie Pleasant (FS).
Oregon has been known recently for their high powered offense, and with All-American, LaMichael James at RB, Darron Thomas at QB, and Kenjon Barner it is no wonder. These three combined for a formidable force racking up almost 3000 yards and 32 touchdowns. Look for another boost in the backfield as the very anticipated Lache Seastrunk (RB) gets on the scene. The receivers have benefited from opposing teams stacking the box, and look for Lavasier Tuinei (WR) and David Paulson (TE) to take the lead as the Ducks rebound from the loss of their top 2 receivers in Jeff Maehl and D.J. Davis, who combined for 119 receptions, 1546 yards, and 15 touchdowns last year. This could be another sore spot, especially on 3rd and long as Darron Thomas needs to finds a sure handed go to receiver to step up.
Bottom Line:
This looks to be every bit of a great one with a cranked up runing game threat from Oregon lining up against LSU's proven run stoppers. LSU is geared to stop the run, and don't think for a second that they have not watched the championship game over and over, training up on Oregon's tendencies. Look for Chip Kelly to throw in a couple new wrinkles to consistently get past LSU's defense. There are 2 key match ups in this one. (1) LSU's run D against Oregon's Ground Game that at times last year was unstoppable. The relentless and creative Oregon play calling, makes it extremely difficult for opposing defenses to hang in there for 4 solid quarters, but if anyone is up to the challenge, then look no further than John Chavis. (2) LSU's passing attack against Oregon's secondary, minus Cliff Harris. How will LSU's newly renovated downfield passing attack stack up? Will Jefferson come up and play an efficient game, or will he chuck up a couple picks, with one going all the way to the house? Look for the proximity of this one, being so close to Louisiana showcasing a revved up LSU squad.
Update August 22nd:
Oregon Running Back Lache Seastrunk has been unconditionally released from the team this past Sunday. He reportedly wants to be closer to his family back in Texas. Oregon's high powered running attack will be without its newest highly touted star who was working his way onto the depth chart. Nothing official yet. He will be transferring to Baylor.
Update August 27th:
In a recent flurry of unexpected and quite frankly out of left field events, LSU will be without 3 players for the season opener against Oregon: Jordan Jefferson (6-5, 224 lb, SR, starting QB), Russell Shepard (6-2, 118 lb, JR, starting WR), and linebacker Joshua Johns. Jefferson and Johns were involved in the now infamouse Tiger Beatdown, where the 2 have been recently charged with second degree battery (Bar Fight). Reportedly there were a number of LSU players involved. Russell Shepard on the other hand, will miss the opening game against Oregon for discussing an ongoing NCAA investigation with a teammate, before the teammate was scheduled to be interviewed on the matter by the NCAA. The line opened at 2, but has recently moved to 1. If you have not read it, I highly encourage you read the Police Report involving Jefferson and Johns.You really have to woner what was going on in Jordan Jefferson's head.
Update August 31st:
LSU will have to go against Oregon without their most experienced offensive lineman, Josh Dworaczyk. Josh is a 6-6, 300 lb. Senior. He is an anchor at left guard. With him out the offensive line looks to get shuffled around. Look for T-Bob Hebert to jump in. Hebert is one of the best reserves on the O Line.
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