And The Valley Shook · Aug 10, 2019
2019 LSU Football Preview: Special Teams
Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesThe old saying is that special teams is one-third of the game, like offense and defense. Statistically, that isn’t quite true, but it certainly can change a game. LSU knows that well; missed kicks cost the Tigers in losses to Troy and Notre Dame in 2017, and made kicks were the difference in wins over Auburn in 2017 and then again last year.
Welllllll...that guy is not here anymore.
Now, overall, LSU made huge strides in special teams overall — from 86th in special teams S&P+ in 2017 to 3rd last year. Having Cole Tracy was a big part of that, but overall coverage was much better, and the punt/kickoff units netted major field-position advantages.