WBRZ - Baton Rouge

The LSU Tiger football team takes the field Saturday afternoon against the Georgia Bulldogs wearing the mantle of the fourth ranked team in the country, but the title fits about as well as your high school jeans.  These Tigers have yet to do anything to earn that ranking, other than roll out an impressive roster of returning players and blue chippers.

LSU has slogged it's way through their first four games of the season, literally, it's rained in three of the four games the Tigers have played.    Their play on the field has been equally damp at times, as the defense was victimized in their first game of the season, but has since righted the ship and continued to improve each and every week.  The offense on the other hand has been a different story, playing out like a Coldplay video, a lot like life, but only kind of in reverse.

The LSU offense found it's air attack with deep passes into the Mississippi State defense last week, but it felt like fools gold at times, as they passing game failed to connect on the routine plays.  Whether it's quarterback Jordan Jefferson still getting his sea legs underneath him, or the fact that LSU's fullback is now in the NFL and they are subbing in former defensive linemen into the position, this LSU offense still feels like it's running in beach sand.

The offensive line has replaced two interior lineman and it has shown, the power running game between the tackles consists of the fullback running into the tight end or tackle, and the running back then running into the fullback.  Holes are unheard of, gaps would be genius and crevices are more abundant in a church fair rock wall.  But there's still hope.  There's still time.  There's still talent.

Despite the negative vibe, this team is in fact 4-0 and they have the chance this weekend to prove that they do possess an offense that should be feared, a defense that is back to championship form, and a coach who is willingto take risks because he believes in his team and his coaches.   Les Miles needs to get the riverboat out of dry dock and take a couple more chances.  Let it all hang out, you've got the horses, let them run.  Russell Shepard needs to see the field at least 8-10 times Saturday against Georgia.  That would be at least twice as many as the last game, when he carried the ball four times, averaging seven yards a rush.  If you really want to light Tiger fans hair on fire, let the talented high school quarterback be real daring and throw the ball.  It doesn't even have to be a forward pass, let him throw it to Jefferson in the slot, for a double pass play.

Patrick Peterson proved to be a pretty solid traffic cop waving Chad Jones to the endzone on his punt return, throw him back there to return kickoffs and punts.  Maybe Chad can work his swim move and direct P-Squared to the promised land.

The point is, prove that you are the team you used to be, can be and so desperately need to be.  Be daring, be creative, be threatening and that will make you successful.   Success the fans and team can get behind, and feel proud of at the end of the day.