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BATON ROUGE — Among the things No. 7 LSU has delayed after rescheduling its game against Troy because of Hurricane Gustav is the unveiling of a more potent offense, but coaches predicted the team will take a step in that direction against North Texas on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.
In particular, the Tigers (1-0) likely will introduce more play-action passes and take more shots downfield in the passing game, according to Coach Les Miles and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton.
Just how sharp and discernible those differences will be, however, remain unclear. At his press luncheon Monday, Miles spoke about “throwing the ball downfield,” but he was more circumspect in his comments Wednesday night.
“I think it’s going to be the same; I think you’ll not see differences,” he said. “But there have been some twists to this passing attack that look very similar but are different, and it happens every week.”
Similarly, in the running game, Miles said LSU will strike for “better execution and more precision,” while sticking to essentially the same package of plays.
A more varied attack should worry North Texas (0-2), a 41-point underdog. As LSU proved in its national championship run last season, one of its defining traits is the multi-faceted attack it presents a defense. The Tigers have three experienced targets on most pass routes and an option drifting out of the backfield to go with runners featuring speed and power.
The only thing which could hold back that offense is inexperience LSU has at quarterback. Neither sophomore Andrew Hatch nor redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee had directed an offense at the collegiate level before LSU’s opener against Appalachian State, and the overmatched Mountaineers hardly have a defense similar to most of the teams in the Southeastern Conference.
The playbook, though should expand this weekend, Miles said.
“It really kind of depends on how they play us. Looking at them, they’re certainly over the top when it comes to coverage, and if they play us over the top then that’s not where we’ll attack them.”
To be sure, LSU did not rule out the passing game in its 41-13 opening victory. Hatch and Lee completed 13 of a combined 24 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns.
Nola.com
9/11/08
