by Chris Rinaldi

After one week it was hopeful that the reign of idiocy was over at LSU. But for the first half today, and with glimpses shown in the second half, it's unsure when the stupidity of Greg Studrawa will ever finds its bounds of completeness. The bumbling offensive coordinator calling the plays continues to do his best to bungle the LSU rushing game and squander the defensive riches that are driving the Tigers to victories like the 24-19 win over Texas A&M at Kyle Field.

Pass plays were called on first down when LSU was inside the 10 yard line; pass plays were called on 2nd down and 6, pass plays were called on 3rd and short, and pass plays were called with LSU leading by 5 with under 7 minutes to go in the 4th Quarter. Whenever it defied logic, pass plays were called. And, when those pass plays were called, they were always the short hitches and slants that have not been changed at any point in the past two years. 

However, the ball-hawking and swarming LSU defense showed up after the first quarter in College Station and Freshmen Running Back Jeremy Hill made the 4th Quarter his showcase for the second straight week, complimented by Michael Ford's ability to cut the corners on the outside. That was enough to propel the Tigers to victory. 

The Tigers struck for the first time in the 2nd Quarter on a Michael Ford 20 yard touchdown run, which was setup up by a Jalen Collins interception on an errant pass by Johnny Manziel. It would be a 47 yard touchdown run by Jeremy Hill which sealed the game for the Tigers, also a result of an errant Manziel pass  that was intercepted by Tharold Simon in the 4th quarter. 

Manziel, more affectionately referred to as "Johnny Football", began the game by picking apart LSU's four man front in the 1st quarter, However, once LSU switched to a three man front in the 2nd quarter, "Johnny Football" looked more like "Johnny Ragdoll", as he was chased around the field, thrown to the ground, and forced to make poor decisions, resulting in three interceptions.  

One has to wonder what this game would have looked like if the Tigers focused on running the ball and avoiding penalties. Barkevious Mingo seemed to be playing off his own snap count, jumping offside numerous times, and Eric Reid kept Texas A&M's hopes alive in the 4th Quarter when he inexplicably mauled the Aggies' freshman wide receiver Mike Evans, well after an incomplete pass attempt. 

This should have been a signature win for the Tigers, but instead it was one they had to grasp onto. But, a win's a win nonetheless, and maybe that is the true signature of the Tigers.  

Between the necessities to clean up their play and  to give their dinged up players a break, next week's bye is coming at the most opportune time. When LSU takes the field in Death Valley on November 3, they will host Alabama. The Crimson Tide have always struggled with the LSU in Baton Rouge, but most importantly, the Tigers can't struggle with themselves if they hope to overtake the defending National Champions.