LSU football hosts Mississippi State on Saturday, coming off a 35-34 overtime loss to Kentucky in Week 6. Head coach Lane Kiffin is 4-2 in his first season leading the purple and gold. In their previous games, 35 points would’ve been enough for a win, but the Tigers’ defense couldn’t hold the Wildcats.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt played well, and his ESPN quarterback rating (QBR) reflects it. QBR, on a 0-100 scale adjusted for opposing defenses’ strength, values the quarterback on all play types. Leavitt has an 81.1 rating, No. 18 in the country, after the loss to Kentucky.
Advertisement
Leavitt led an efficient offensive attack against the Wildcats, despite committing two turnovers in the second half. He threw for two touchdown passes of 10 or more yards in the first half. Leavitt passed for 275 passing yards and a 73.5% completion percentage.
A lingering hamstring injury didn’t appear to hamper Leavitt’s production. He rushed when he needed to but displayed confidence in the pocket while working through pressures. It is a stark departure from his jittery play against Ole Miss. LSU needs Leavitt to keep this up Saturday and beyond, with three ranked opponents in its next four games.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Where LSU football QB Sam Leavitt ranks in ESPN’s QBR entering Week 7
