LSU football grades vs. Tennessee: Brian Kelly admits he got outcoached
BATON ROUGE, La. - LSU football and coach Brian Kelly doomed themselves early and never recovered in a blowout 40-13 loss to No. 8 Tennessee at Tiger Stadium on Saturday.
The Tigers (4-2, 2-1 SEC) had two special teams blunders, failed to convert on three fourth downs and the defense had trouble taking down Tennessee ball carriers all day.
Here's how we graded the lopsided defeat.
Offense: D+
LSU was able the moved the ball, generating 218 yards in the first half. But it failed to convert on three fourth-down opportunities and had problems in pass protection. The Tigers couldn't finish off drives.
Defense: C+
Despite the hole their special teams unit dug for them, the Tigers hung in there against the best offense in the nation in the first half. It wasn't the defense's fault that LSU gave the Vols early momentum, but it still paid the price.
Special teams: F
LSU's 10-0 first quarter deficit was all because of special teams. First, Jack Bech muffed the opening kickoff, essentially handing the Vols seven points. After LSU went three-and-out on its first possession, Tennessee returned the ensuing punt 58 yards. The drive resulted in a field goal to make it 10-0.
The special teams woes have been a problem all season.
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Coaching: D-
LSU's defensive strategy and play calling on offense made sense. But the special teams issues and illegal formation penalties in the first half fall on coaches. LSU also had a substitution infraction with 13 players on the field, a product of Tennessee going fast on offense, and Kelly's fourth-and-10 gamble at the end of the first half didn't make sense, leading to three easy points for Tennessee.
Overall: D-
Kelly admitted to ESPN at halftime that LSU was getting outcoached, and not much changed in the second half. How the Tigers respond from today may define their season.
Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser and the USA TODAY Sports South Region. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football grades vs. Tennessee: Brian Kelly admits he got outcoached
