A 19-17 loss to Penn State was a snapshot of the LSU football season. The defense does enough to keep the Tigers in the game. And, somehow on the final drive clock management issues plagued the LSU offense: enough to get the Tigers beat.
Penn State's Collin Wagner kicked a 21 yard field goal with :57 seconds left to give the Nittany Lions a 19-17 lead. But, there was still time, after Trindon Holliday returned the ensuing kickoff from the LSU 15 to the LSU 41.
Jordan Jefferson scrambled for a gain of 10 and a first down on the next play.
The next play call was curious: with no time outs, a screen pass to the middle of the field to wide receiver Brandon LaFell. LaFell was tackled after a four yard gain. As the clock ticked down several mistakes were made: 1) the officials should have stopped the clock after Penn State linebacker Sean Lee would not let LaFell get up off the ground. 2) LSU guard Lyle Hitt was assessed a 15 yard penalty for trying to pull Lee off the pile. The Tigers were penalized back to the LSU 40. After the dead ball, the game clock started again: but, the LSU offense let 10 seconds run off before the ball was snapped.
Two plays later. The LSU season was over, one that was draped in confusion.
As the Tigers go into 2010, there are several question marks, all of them on offense. Can quarterback Jordan Jefferson improve in his decision making and game management? Can the offensive line not only do a better job of protecting Jefferson, and establish a running game? In the press conference after the loss to Penn State, head coach Les Miles said LSU must do a better job of running the football.
LSU will need huge improvements on the offensive line to tackle a challenging 2010 schedule. The season opener is the Chick Fil'A kickoff classic in Atlanta against North Carolina. A week later, LSU goes on the road to Vanderbilt. West Virginia also visits Baton Rouge is September.
The Tigers have league road games at Florida and Arkansas. Alabama comes to Baton Rouge.
Winning 9 games used to be a banner season in Baton Rouge. Not anymore. But, based on the schedule, and the returning talent, 9 wins in 2010 could be the high side for LSU football.