SEC Power Rankings: Egg Bowl, Iron Bowl to decide SEC West champ
Nov 21, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
The month of November has been a nightmare for the LSU Tigers, who have fallen from No. 2 in the first College Football Playoff rankings to out of the polls following three straight losses. None of the games have even been close as the Tigers have been dominated by Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss by an average score of 33-16.
LSU’s most recent loss was the worst yet – 38-17 to the Rebels Saturday in Oxford, and it may have cost head coach Les Miles his job.
Despite the lopsided score, the Tigers showed some improvement on offense against the Rebels. Leonard Fournette gained 108 rushing yards on 25 carries – the first time the former Heisman front-runner has cracked the 100-yard mark since Oct. 24 after running for at least 150 yards in each of his first seven games this season. Also, quarterback Brandon Harris set career highs with 26 completions and 51 pass attempts as well as 324 passing yards.
Overall, LSU amassed 508 total yards and an impressive 25 first downs. The offensive outburst was welcome for offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, whose relatively conservative philosophy has been one of the loudest criticisms over the last two seasons and is a major factor in Miles’ lack of job security.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, Fournette was held out of the end zone for the first time this season and Harris threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.
Arguably a bigger reason for LSU’s slide this month is a defense that allowed 432 yards of offense to Ole Miss, which marked the fourth straight game in which the Tigers have allowed more than 400 total yards. Something will need to change quickly for LSU to salvage what was once an incredibly promising season.
Next Game: Saturday November 28 vs. Texas A&M
Next: Arkansas