2. LSU’s QB issues have not been solved with Joe Burrow
How much of an improvement has Joe Burrow really been for LSU under center? He has gotten a lot of praise this season, but his numbers are mediocre at best, and don’t look that favorable stacked up against his predecessors in Baton Rouge:
- Joe Burrow (2018): 53.3 CMP%, 202 YPG, 3:1 TD/INT
- Danny Etling (2017): 60% CMP, 189.4 YPG, 8:1 TD/INT
- Brandon Harris (2015): 53.8 CMP%, 180.4 YPG, 2:1 TD/INT
- Anthony Jennings (2014): 48.9 CMP%, 123.9 YPG, 1.5:1 TD/INT
Burrow is throwing for more yards per game than the others, but his efficiency is pretty close to the much maligned Brandon Harris in 2015. Danny Etling was much more efficient over his two years as the team’s starting QB in 2016 and 2017, and received a fraction of the praise from the fanbase and pundits alike that Burrow has.
Burrow has the name value after being a hot commodity on the transfer market, and LSU’s defense and running game has led them to a 7-1 mark and a top-five ranking.
Burrow’s best commodity has been taking care of the football, which is about all that is required for LSU to win most games with their stout defense. Even still, Burrow is the 10th most efficient passer in the SEC and has three games this season where he has completed 50 percent or less of his pass attempts.
Twice this year, he has been called upon to make a play to try and win a game. He completed a couple of big passes against Auburn to lead LSU to victory, and then threw a back-breaking pick-six against Florida a couple of weeks ago when tasked with leading LSU back from a deficit.
Had he been unable to come up with a couple of plays against Auburn, the narrative would likely be a good bit different about the junior quarterback. He’ll get the biggest test of the season in two weeks.