Leonard Fournette ruled out for the second consecutive week.
One of the most dynamic backs in the college game today, Leonard Fournette, won’t be participating this weekend in a game against inner conference rival, Florida. According to AL.com, the news comes a week after Fournette injured his ankle versus Auburn earlier in the season. Before that, Fournette was met with more misfortune in the season opener, bruising his thigh in a season-opening loss to Wisconsin.
Although Fournette has managed to record three 100-yard games this season, he’s visited the end zone only two times since Week 3 against Auburn.
If the game isn’t bothered by Hurricane Matthew, the loss isn’t so bad for the Tigers.
Fournette’s backup, Derrius Guice, is producing enough juice in the Tigers’ backfield. In a Week 5 win versus Missouri, Guice rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns. The primary run option for LSU for the next 10 weeks, Guice also posted stellar numbers against – surprisingly – Jacksonville State in Week 2 (155 yards, TD).
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It may be more beneficial for Fournette to not rush his recovery if he wants to be a part of next year’s NFL Draft. Until a timetable for his return is scheduled, the Tigers are in goods hands with Guice for now.
Manning the quarterback responsibilities is Danny Etling, a major shareholder in the snaps behind the center. A transfer out of Purdue, Etling enrolled at LSU in 2014, but didn’t register any on-field time that season. As of today, he’s only logged in one touchdown pass over four starts, but threw for over 300 yards in Week 5.
Brandon Harris, who passed for over 2,000 yards last year, is in a slump of his own. In weeks one and two, Harris has tallied 139 passing yards and a touchdown to two interceptions.
For the first time in a few years, the LSU Tigers are suffering the slings and arrows of a transition period. It all started with the release of Les Miles, who started the season out 2-2 (both losses were decided by 7 or fewer points). Then news broke out about LSU’s workhorse in Fournette.
Next: Should Fournette Sit for the Season?
Miles’ replacement, Ed Orgeron, now faces scrutiny from Death Valley. A former coach for Ole Miss and Southern Cal, Coach O needs to rally his troops in the remaining weeks in hopes of earning a spot back in the AP Poll. The need to make LSU a football brand again is on his shoulders.