Jordan Rodgers calls for Garrett Nussmeier, LSU offense to 'get back to being explosive'

LSU has not gotten its offense going to what many thought it would be over the first third of its season. Now, as the Tigers go on the road to The ‘Sip, SEC Network analyst Jordan Rodgers suggests they find something fast to put enough points on the board against the Rebels.

Rodgers broke down No. 4 LSU vs. No. 13 Ole Miss while appearing on ‘Get Up’ on Friday. That began with a call to the Tigers’ offense, led by Garrett Nussmeier, to make more big-time plays in Oxford on Saturday.

“Well, I think, for starters, Garrett Nussmeier and this offense has got to get back to being explosive. We haven’t seen it very much,” Rodgers said. “He was injured early. He had an ab injury at Clemson, and the deep ball was really affected by that. I think they get more speed on the perimeter, easy throws, shrink the defense, take shots.”

Through three seasons under Brian Kelly, LSU has had some of the better offenses in the nation, with averages of 36.8 points and 476 yards per game. But, through four games this season, the Tigers are posting less at 29 points and 391.8 yards of offense, which are both outside the Top 60 nationally. A 46-point win over SE Louisiana is then bolstering some of those stats, as, over the first three games, they put up just 20 points and 345.7 total yards.

Much of that has to do with the play of Nussmeier, albeit as he deals with a torso injury he has had since coming into the season. He is at 68.6% completion for 962 yards, at 240.5 passing yards per game, 7.0 per attempt, and 10.2 per completion, with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Again, much of that is coming off last weekend’s blowout victory when Nussmeier was 25-31 (80.7%) for 273 yards and three touchdowns.

LSU only has one pretty good showing through a month of the season. So, as the Tigers travel to Vaught-Hemingway, Rodgers knows the Tigers are going to need that unit’s best output this season if they want to remain undefeated.

Rodgers breaks down key to the game in LSU vs. Ole Miss

That said, for all the offensive talk, Rodgers went on to note the Tigers’ defense as the key to this game against the Rebels. He cited their past issues guarding mobile quarterback, which is exactly what Trinidad Chambliss is, at 228.6 total yards per game with six touchdowns scored overall, as this weekend’s starter for Ole Miss.

“The difference maker in this game, and the thing I’m looking at is Trinidad Chambliss has been on fire for Ole Miss,” Rodgers said. “He’s one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks, the best LSU has faced. Over 400 yards the last two games. And, remember, last year, LSU’s season, after starting 6-1, was derailed by athletic quarterbacks. A&M and Marcel Reed? Three rushing touchdowns, beat LSU for their second loss. The next week, Jalen Milroe went for 186 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. So, that derailed their season.

“Harold Perkins is the guy to watch. They’ve moved him more outside on the edge. Maybe we see him back in the middle, inside linebacker, spying and looking at Trinidad Chambliss. If Chambliss can get loose on the ground, that’s the only way I think Ole Miss takes it to LSU.”