South Carolina rushed for more yards against A&M on their opening drive than LSU did in their entire game last Saturday....and that was prior to the 24 yard TD run. Even before that play, SC had already amassed 32 yards, I believe, on the ground, which is about 8 more than the Tigers gained on A&M all game.
I really don't trust a team that can't run the ball, and I guess that accounts for my lack of belief in them as a truly "competitive" team. Having such a weak run game limits what you can do at the goal-line.....and that has reared it's ugly head all season. And it puts way too much pressure on the passing game....which has mostly not hurt us too bad, but it really did against A&M, and will again in the future.
It hurt us against South Carolina, but fortunately they were missing a key player or two, including QB Sellers for a good portion of the game. Ole Miss was also missing their nation-best insane WR when we beat them. Both of those teams should've beaten us, and likely would have if they weren't missing their best players.
I dunno....I feel like we should've beaten USC, and missed a bunch of chances A&M handed us, so maybe it all evens out. But I have no illusions of LSU "still being in the hunt" or anything like that. Even if they made the SECCG or the playoffs, they'll get bent over by the first legitimate "good" team they face.
It goes beyond just this season though. Mark my words.....Brian Kelly will be the first LSU coach in the last 4 not to win a national title.