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How LSU, Ed Orgeron plan to 'flip the script' amid troubling season

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery10/07/21
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(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

The shine off of LSU’s sparkling national championship run in the 2019-2020 season has officially worn off in the Bayou. The Tigers have already lost two games and many in the media are saying if LSU doesn’t win against Kentucky on Saturday, its head coach Ed Orgeron will be fired.

Some, like Yahoo! Sports Pete Thamel, think it’s time for LSU to start thinking about replacements.

Amidst all of the noise, criticism, and all of the turmoil, Orgeron knows all his team can do is block out the criticism and focus on Kentucky.

“Always do. Take it one game at a time,” he said. “And we’ve been here before. We’ve just gotta keep looking at the things that we can fix. Be constructive. Believe in our coaching staff. Believe in our team.

“Gotta block out the noise. Because there’s a lot of noise out there. We know that. We’ve been here before. We can handle it. I think it’s a matter of playing better, a matter of coaching better first … and just go and play Kentucky. And win this game. That’s all we can focus on.”

If LSU is going to flip the script, he’s right. It starts with Kentucky. The stats for the LSU Tigers don’t paint an optimistic picture. Their rushing offense ranks 128th in the country, their pass defense ranks 93rd in passing yards allowed, and their offensive line has been one of the worst in the nation all season long.

The Tigers offensive line has allowed 11 sacks this season, ranking 79th in the country in the category and they haven’t even faced the brutal gauntlet of their upcoming SEC schedule.

LSU has been hit by injuries

Injuries have plagued LSU for most of the season and it was recently announced that star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. underwent foot surgery. He battled injuries throughout fall camp. The talented corner is expected to be one of the top prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft if he decides to enter it.

One of the Tigers’ best pass rushers, Andre Anthony was lost to a season-ending injury as well. Defensive tackle Glen Logan suffered a broken foot in fall camp and he’s missed time during the season as well. Quarterback Myles Brennan suffered a broken arm before the 2021 season in a freak accident and is expected to return at some point later this season.

Brutal upcoming schedule for LSU

The Tigers‘ upcoming gauntlet is one of the toughest in college football, and if they’re going to turn it around, they’ll have to do it against some of the best teams in the country. In their next five games, LSU faces five teams currently ranked in the top 20 in the SEC: Kentucky (No. 16), Florida (No. 20), Ole Miss (No. 17), Alabama (No. 1) and Arkansas (No. 13).

Bluegrass Miracle

The good thing about sports is anything can happen. LSU fans need not forget about the Bluegrass Miracle from the Kentucky-LSU game many years ago.

Marcus Randall launched a 74-yard prayer that was answered by Devery Henderson, in the final seconds of the game. It’s remembered as one of the most incredible plays in college football history.

LSU faces Kentucky on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST. Kickoff is from Kroger Field in Lexington.