LSU Bye Week: Tigers continue to struggle with passing offense

With a full week to prepare for their Nov. 3 showdown against top-ranked Alabama, the LSU Tigers may very well be forced to re-examine their lackluster passing attack after the first eight games of the season with the added practice time in the coming days.

Although Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger has only thrown four interceptions on the year, the 6'5 signal caller has posted three consecutive lackluster performances that featured a sub-50% completion percentage against SEC opponents. Only twice on the year has Mettenberger eclipsed the 200-yard passing mark, as the junior could only manage to record one touchdown total against the quartet of Auburn, Florida, South Carolina and Texas A&M over a four-game stretch.

As defenses continue to stack the box in order to shut down LSU's potent rushing attack, Mettenberger has struggled to take advantage of the numerous opportunities opponents are presenting to him. "You’ve just got to keep faith," Mettenberger told Les East of The Advocate. "If the defense is going to load the box and go man outside, you’ve got to take those shots."

Despite vowing to throw more this season following a 21-0 loss to Alabama back in January's BCS title game, LSU coach Les Miles knows quite well that moving the ball through the air effectively will prove vital against the Crimson Tide's rock-solid defense this time around. Without a more inspired performance from Mettenberger and his crop of receivers however, the Tigers may end up seeing more of the same from their middling passing attack.