LSU Film Study: How the Final Touchdown From Alabama's T.J. Yeldon Was Scored

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LSU Versus Alabama Film Study -- Crimson Tide Fight for a First Down

Reid & TR3 went head on all game. This is from the below play.
Photo via Naples News

This piece is a part of the "LSU Versus Alabama Film Study" in route to the BCS National Championship. To read the opening piece on the ultimate reason why Alabama lost to LSU, click here. Here is Part I & Part II of Alabama's first offensive drive. Here is the first installment & the second installment of the LSU offense. 

As many of you know, I am presently in New Orleans covering BCS National Championship Game for numerous outlets. Because of that, I am now going to pick out plays that I found interesting. This study won't be as precise as the other ones, but who cares. I want to go out and party. 


(Side Note: Here are a few interviews I've done so far with Alabama's Jim McElwain and DeQuan Menzie as well as syndicated radio host Paul Finebaum of the "Paul Finebaum Radio Network.")


Here we go. 

Play #21

Trent Richardson runs left for 4 yards, gets first down

This play was actually well defended by LSU, except for a few parts. Let's hit the tape. 

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LSU versus Alabama Film Study -- The Rest of the First Drive for the Crimson Tide

This is another installment of my film study in preparation for the Alabama versus LSU rematch. Check out Part I & Part II for more coverage.

Play #2 

AJ McCarron pass completed to Trent Richardson (TR3) for 22 yards

This was one of many plays where LSU left TR3 unaccounted for in the passing game. LSU brought Stefoin Francois on a blitz from the outside and AJ intelligently threw to his best player into space Francois vacated. 

It was a blown assignment for the Tigers. If I were to guess, it would seem TR3's responsibilities should be on linebacker Kevin Minter. TR3 was able to turn it up field and then got in a moster collision with LSU safety Eric Reid. Reid ending up having one of the most important defensive performances in LSU history in this game. 


Safety Brandon Taylor stressed the night of the BCS bowl revealings that they must account for TR3 on every play in the title game.  

Play #3

TR3 tackled for loss by numerous Tigers for -5 yards. 

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LSU versus Alabama Film Study -- Crimson Tide Wins the Opening Play

Montgomery is a key asset to LSU's defense.
Photo via LSU Sports

The LSU defense had one of the gutsiest performances in the history of Tiger football on November 5th. They held a potent Alabama offense to only six points on the road, but the performance wasn't the prettiest.


If SEC games are won in the trenches, as everyone would say, then LSU lost this game. After re-watching this game, Alabama won the battle at the line of scrimmage roughly 75 percent of the time. As you look at some of the plays I will break down in the next few weeks, you will see what I'm talking about. 


But as I pointed out in my last column, the Tigers played some of the best "bend but don't break" defense I have ever seen. Defenses are judged on making plays and stops when you need to the most. The Bayou Bengals were nearly perfect in that aspect.   


In the first drive versus Alabama, the Crimson Tide racked up early yardage but was torn apart at the seams by their kicker Kade Foster. Let's run through the first play of the drive...

Play #1

Trent Richardson runs for 18 yards

This play is textbook Alabama offense over the past couple of years. Offensive coordinator Jim McElwain creates a blocking numbers and matchup advantage, the blocking is in turn perfect and Richardson makes a safety miss for extra yardage.   


Let's first state the obvious. TR3 is so damn good. Every player on LSU knows it. They even Tweet about it. But when the Tigers played fundamental football, they defended him better. On this first snap of the game, this is evident. Let's break down the tape...

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The One Player I Want to Add to LSU Football This Season

It seems Burfict is choosing Matt Barkley as his next victim
Photo: Norm Hall/ Getty Images

As much I as love Jarrett Lee's play as the starting quarterback, I would rather have Andrew Luck.


But of course that's the case. Luck, according to ESPN NFL Analyst Trent Dilfer, is the best pro quarterback prospect he has ever seen.


I'm not going down that route. It's too easy. 


I'm going to pick a player at a position of need for LSU. And as impressive as LSU as been, it comes to no surprise there is only one position where the Tigers have struggled.


The player I want to choose is Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

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Tharold Simon Should Start Next Season Over Tyrann Mathieu

Read my latest column for 91.1 KLSU fm on why Tharold Simon should start next season over Tyrann Mathieu by clicking here.

True Freshman Defensive Backs Shine in Cotton Bowl

Mathieu makes plays. Period.
Photo by Nola.com

If somebody would have told me the LSU defensive backs would have had a big game versus Texas A&M, that wouldn't have surprised me. The Tigers have Patrick Peterson, the best college defensive back since Charles Woodson.

The funny thing is Peterson didn't have a great game. Aggies wide receiver Jeff Fuller, who Peterson told me after the game will have a great future in the NFL, caught seven passes for 84 yards. Fuller must have forgot he was playing against the Thorpe and Bednarik Award winner.

But Peterson had others pick him up. The three that shined the brightest were all true freshman.

It all starts with Tyrann Mathieu, who won defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl. He was all over the field making plays for LSU. Mathieu finished with seven tackles, two forced fumbles and once interception.

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Three Things to Look For -- Cotton Bowl Prediction

I've heard all about it.
Photo via onemansblog

Dallas Cowboys Stadium? For a bowl game? Three days after attending the Sugar Bowl?

Yes Please.

I can't wait for the Cotton Bowl. LSU will be playing Texas A&M for the Tigers last tackle football game of this season. Here are three things to look for...

1) How does LSU deal with Texas A&M's impact players?

The Aggies have won six straight games since junior Ryan Tannehill took over at quarterback. His top target, junior receiver Jeff Fuller, will have his hands full with Patrick Peterson. 

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Chavis, Peterson Speaks After Alabama Victory

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis talks about his team's defensive performance against Alabama.



Patrick Peterson speaks after LSU's 24-17 victory over Alabama.

Defending Cameron Newton -- LSU vs Auburn Prediction

Is Newton the best player in college football?
Photo via BleacherReport

LSU has faced their fare share of mobile quarterbacks this season and have superb in defending them. But when the Tigers face the Tigers, they will be facing a whole new animal.

Cameron Newton is "not your average" quarterback. Many thought another Tim Tebow wouldn't come for at least a decade, but college football fans are seeing that Newton is special.


LSU's "not your average" cornerback Patrick Peterson knows is too.


"6-6. He's running about... I'm going to say a 4.4 (forty-yard dash), strong arm. What else can you say?"

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Three Things to Look For -- LSU vs Tennessee Prediction

LSU is 1-8 over the last two years on CBS.
Photo via CapstoneReport

The LSU Tigers take on the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The Volunteers come into Baton Rouge with a 2-2 record under first year head coach Derek Dooley.

LSU Football has been receiving much national attention through the superhuman efforts of Patrick Peterson so far this year. His "Swag" and ability to take the ball to the house every time he touches it had Tiger Stadium going into a frenzy in the victory versus West Virginia. 

If Tennessee special teams coach Eric Russell wants to keep his job, he must tell his punter to not kick the ball remotely in Peterson's region. Since "PP7" said he doesn't want to call fair catch any more this season, I wouldn't be surprised if Mike the Tiger has a better chance of taking one back.   

Outside of the special teams play, here are three more things to keep an eye on Saturday...

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Three Things to Look For -- LSU Versus WVU Prediction

Can LSU get Toliver involved?
Photo via BleacherReport

The LSU Tigers will welcome in the No. 22 West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Les Miles has a great record at night games in Death Valley, and should be confident playing with a team thats 3-0.

The Tigers have won this season thanks John Chavis' to stingy defense. But the offenses they've played this season doesn't equal the firepower the Mountaineers possess.

Here are three things to look for when SEC meets Big East on Saturday...

1) How will the Tigers' defend Noel Devine and Geno Smith?

A hobby of many football fans is to watch their favorite college and professional stars' high school football highlight reels.

There might not be any player in college football who has better footage than Noel Devine.

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"Mustang" 3-2-6 Formation Dominant in LSU Victory, Tigers Now 3-0

Chief = "Mustang" Mastermind
Photo via ESPN

LSU starts off their home campaign with an impressive 29-7 victory over Mississippi State.

The offense was average and the quarterback play was better from Jordan Jefferson, despite the numbers not saying so.

But the defense dominated. This defense is really really really good. Like really good. And they have the best defensive formation in the country in the 3-2-6 dime package.

Or, what the defense identifies as the "Mustang" package.

The formation has transformed LSU's defense, making it almost a defensive form of the spread. This makes defense exciting, forcing sacks and turnovers left and right on the field.

I mentioned it before the game how much the formation would be run against eh Bulldogs. Defensive Coordinator John Chavis called it up every time, and, if I'm not mistaken, all LSU turnovers came out of  that set.

Dan Mullen after the game told me what he thought of all the different looks LSU gave him. He said his team expected it and they just didn't execute.

I also spoke with Morris Claiborne, Patrick Peterson, Stefoin Francois and Kelvin Sheppard after the game. They all pretty much had the same answer about the "Mustang" package.

It can't be stopped.

Read more »

Claiborne, Sheppard Speak on "Mustang" Formation

The LSU Tigers defense dominated in their 29-7 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

The defense's best weapon was defensive coordinator John Chavis' 3-2-6 "Mustang" formation. Most, if not all, turnovers tonight came out of that set.

Later on, I will have a full post on the formation. It will be a full breakdown on how it works and if I think anybody will be able to crack it.



LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne talks about the "Mustang" package, LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis and Patrick Peterson after his two interception night against Mississippi State.



LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard talks to me about the 3-2-6 "Mustang" package, LSU Defensive Coordinator John Chavis and team speed.

Peterson for Heisman?

Glimpse of Peterson's Swag
Photo via wvmetronews.com

Player interviews today at the LSU Practice Facility after a narrow 30-24 victory over UNC was not short of good quotes and conversations.

The first of which came when I chatted with cornerback Morris Claiborne.

Claiborne was the player who was beat deep on North Carolina's 97-yard touchdown strike, and he did not shy away from his mistake.

"I got beat deep," said Claiborne. "The receiver made a good double-move."

Owning up to getting burned wasn't the interesting part though. He said the mistake never should have happened because he was told what was coming soon before. 

But this time, it wasn't from a coach.

"He (Patrick Peterson) told me to look out for the deep pass."

Read more »

LSU edges out UNC 30-24

Stephon Francois does just enough on final play of game
to win it for LSU. (Photo by: Erik S. Lesser/AP Photo)

Atlanta -- The Bayou Bengals are, once again, crowned the cardiac cats of college football.

LSU was controlling the pace of the game. Everything was going right for Les Miles because LSU was playing better in areas they were weak last season.

The defense forced turnovers, offense generated explosive plays down the field and special teams found a return man that will replace Trindon Holliday in Patrick Peterson.

But the most interesting unit of the night must go to the defense. LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis was dialing up a masterpiece of plays against the Tar Heels.

All turnovers by the Tar Heels were a result of "The Cheif" mixing up his sets before the play even began. LSU played their base 4-3 package early, but mixed it up as the game moved along to more Nickel and Dime packages.

Read more »

Three Things to Look For -- LSU versus UNC Prediction

The LSU Tigers versus the North Carolina Tar Heels will be a grind-em up, mash-em up type of football game. Don't be surprised if the players come out with no face masks, no gloves and all black cleats.

It's safe to say T.J. Yates versus Jordan Jefferson won't be Drew Brees versus Aaron Rodgers. (I would have linked Yates and Jefferson college highlight footage, but it took too much work to find them. In other words, they probably don't exist)

The game will be live and popping, and I can't wait to get to the Georgia Dome. Here are three things to look for...

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Brandon Taylor -- LSU Media Day

LSU safety Brandon Taylor talks about playing in the box, his role on LSU, what he expects from the Tigers, and most importantly 'Swag.'

Taylor is one of the Tigers that didn't get as much publicity during the offseason, but the hard hitting safety brings a lot more to the table than one would expect from looking at him.

Coming into Baton Rouge, Brandon was more well known as the younger brother of Curtis Taylor, who was one of the starting safeties on the LSU National Championship team in 2007. But with Brandon's production from last season, the junior made a name for himself.

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Ryan Baker Injury Will Hurt Tigers

LSU junior backer Ryan Baker suffered a broken jaw in a tackling drill on Friday during summer camp.

The injury will sideline the junior for 4-6 weeks.

Despite playing very little at linebacker during his career at LSU, Baker has been a standout on special teams. He also played a key role versus Mississippi State on the final goal-line stand that won the game for the Tigers.

Stepping in for Baker will likely be redshirt freshman Kevin Minter. Lamin Barrow and former safety Josh Johns are also expected to get time.

Much of the fuss has been around guys who will replace Baker. But the big question is what happens to guys who were going to start along side him.

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