Sports columnist Scott Rabalais with his three takeaways from No. 10-ranked LSU’s 35-6 romp Saturday night over No. 23 Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium:
1. THE DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES
Eleven months ago, Texas A&M crushed LSU 35-7 in the second half en route to an embarrassing 49-25 rout that ultimately doomed both coach Brian Kelly and athletic director Scott Woodward. This year, Lane Kiffin’s Tigers repaid the rout and then some by pounding the Aggies in similar fashion. The most important thing is LSU rebounded from the previous week’s 32-24 loss at Ole Miss, but revenge was a dish enjoyed at many an LSU tailgate party.
2. THIS TIME, SAM IS THE MAN
Against the Rebels, Sam Leavitt took off running way too often in the first half instead of going through his pass progressions. Against Texas A&M, Leavitt ran some but was more willing to deliver passes from the pocket. The fact he came up gimpy on a second-quarter keeper contributed to that, but Leavitt had his best passing night as a Tiger, highlighted by a 57-yard fourth-and-1 touchdown pass to Jackson Harris in the third quarter.
3. PRICE TO BE PAID?
LSU’s emphatic win was not without another concerning injury. Star linebacker Whit Weeks limped off to the locker room in the second half on crutches with a walking boot on his right foot. Seeing Weeks, who suffered multiple injuries last season, taken out of action that way was an ominous sign. LSU could afford to rest him next week against McNeese, but getting him back for the Tigers’ game in two weeks at Kentucky is vital.