Miles says LSU has to 'want to run the football'

During LSU’s national title run in 2007, the Bayou Bengals’ 214 rushing yards per game were second in the SEC and 11th overall in the nation.

The past two seasons, however, their production on the ground has dropped precipitously.  In 2008, the Tigers averaged just under 167 yards per game.  The bottom really dropped out last season as they averaged an embarrassing 122.7 yards per game, ranking them 90th out of 120 Div. 1-A schools.

Needless to say, reversing that trend will be one of the most important jobs facing Les Miles as he enters the sixth year of his LSU career on the hottest seat of his tenure.

“We’ll have a renewed affirmation and feel and want to run the football,” Miles said according to the Shreveport Times. “What is everybody doing? What are others doing? I think it’s not we have to do it differently, but that you have to do it with great approach. I think that’s a real strong feeling that we have.”

In the two years since hoisting the BcS crystal, LSU is a very pedestrian 17-9 overall.  Perhaps more importantly/damning, they are an even 8-8 in SEC play, a mark that’s wholly unacceptable to those who pull the football strings.

The title bought Miles a little leeway, but the good feelings banked during that run are rapidly growing smaller in the rear view mirror.  If Miles doesn’t turn the program around — particularly the offensive part of the equation — and contend for at least a divisional crown this season, he could find himself on the outside looking in when 2011 rolls around.