Sports columnist Scott Rabalais gives his three takeaways from LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s news conference Monday to start Auburn week. The game between No. 18-ranked LSU (5-2, 2-2 SEC) and unranked Auburn (4-2, 2-2) is set for 11 a.m. Saturday on ABC from Jordan-Hare Stadium.
1. FOURTH DOWN AND FOREVER
LSU’s fourth-and-1 punt from its 43 late in the Kentucky game remains a hot topic, especially since the Tigers are tied for second nationally in fourth-down conversions (10 of 12, 83.3%). Kiffin said analytics (known in football as “the book”) suggested going for it five times this season when LSU punted. “Four of the five have worked where the other team ended up giving the ball right back,” Kiffin said. “Obviously, we know the one that didn’t work.”
2. PATIENT PROGRESS
After going 31 of 38 for 289 yards passing with four touchdowns in Saturday’s 31-0 shutout of Mississippi State, quarterback Sam Leavitt said the team’s understanding of the offense grows each week. Kiffin agreed. “When you put together these portal teams, it takes a little bit of time,” he said. “We play better middle to late in the year when that’s happened. Part of that is experience playing with each other and within the system.”
3. BEHIND THE KIFFIN CURTAIN
Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin filled that role in Kiffin’s first two seasons at Ole Miss (2020-21). Kiffin said as head coach, he’s at the disadvantage because Durkin knows his modus operandi. “The way I work, I tell them everything because they’re on our team at the time,” Kiffin said. “A lot of coaches aren’t like that.” That said, Kiffin’s teams have gone against Durkin’s defenses the previous four seasons at Texas A&M and Auburn.
#takeaways #Lane #Kiffins #LSUAuburn #week #presser #LSU
Source link
