Ed Orgeron reveals LSU quarterback plan vs. Arkansas

With his future at LSU already decided, head coach Ed Orgeron has been coaching the Tigers like a man with nothing to lose. But just because his fate is already known does not mean that he has given up on developing the talent in the LSU locker room.

Heading into this Saturday’s matchup against another SEC West archrival, the Arkansas Razorbacks, Orgeron dropped a key bit of information about his quarterbacks for the upcoming game.

“This week we’re going to let Max (Johnson) start. But we are gonna put in Garrett (Nussmeier). Garrett’s gonna get some plays. I already talked to him and we’re going let the best man win. You know it was time to let Garrett play,” Orgeron said at Monday’s presser. “He’s a great quarterback. I like Max. Max is still our starting quarterback, but I will give [Garrett] a chance. I talked to him; he wants to play so he will play against Arkansas. And the guy that ends up playing the best is going to play the most.”

Max Johnson took over as a Tiger starting quarterback before the season even started, after Myles Brennan was lost for this season. For Brennan it was the second straight season ended because of injury. Johnson has thrown for 2,169 yards and completed 178 of his 296 pass attempts, which is good enough for a 60% pass completion percentage. He has also thrown 22 touchdowns to six interceptions. That is nearly a four-to-one touchdown to interception ratio.

Orgeron stands by fourth-down try

LSU trailed Alabama by just six points heading into the fourth quarter, and after a defensive stop and solid drive by quarterback Max Johnson, LSU was within striking distance. With just under seven minutes remaining, Orgeron had a fourth-and-goal situation from Alabama’s seven-yard line; a field goal would’ve made it a three-point deficit, while a touchdown would’ve put them ahead.

“We’re going for it,” Orgeron said postgame.

LSU did just that, and Johnson threw an incomplete pass, turning the ball over and all but spoiling LSU’s chances. Even after the loss, Orgeron stood by his late-game decision during his press conference.

“When we walked into the stadium, we were going for it,” he continued. “There was no question. We were going for the win — the whole time.”

The Tigers would end up with one more chance due to an Alabama fumble, but that attempt came up short as well. Tyrion Davis-Price rushed for one-yard on that last-ditch effort, and Johnson threw three consecutive incomplete passes, squandering LSU’s final opportunity. In the end, Johnson finished 16-of-32 with 160 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and one costly interception, and despite the final result, Orgeron maintained that his decision to go for it on fourth down was the right call.

Johnson’s play on the season has not been bad at all for the Tigers. But with LSU chances at an SEC championship bid over for the season, it’s a good idea to see who the best talent is remaining on the roster.