Glenn Guilbeau

USA TODAY Network

BATON ROUGE, La. - LSU is 2-0 and ranked No. 13 in the latest Amway Coaches Poll heading into the game of the season so far Saturday at Auburn, but the offense needs dramatic improvement if the Tigers expect to have a chance to be 3-0.

"We were just out of sync a little bit," LSU coach Ed Orgeron said after the Tigers managed just two first downs and 78 yards of total offense in the second half of a 31-0 defeat of Southeastern Louisiana.

LSU had more issues than just being out of sync. Its offensive line was unable to dominate a significantly undermanned outfit. Quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked twice and avoided a few more sacks because of his mobility.

"Our offensive line was penetrated," Orgeron said. "And we couldn't protect Joe. When we did protect Joe, we dropped some balls. We just weren't very good on offense, but we got the job done."

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LSU started strongly in the first quarter as it gained 102 total yards and took a 14-0 lead on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to freshman wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and a 1-yard Burrow touchdown run.

Southeastern, which fell to 0-2, began blitzing more in the second quarter, and that worked throughout the rest of the game. After a 40-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the first half, The Tigers did not score again until 2:03 remained in the game on 7-yard run by tailback Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

"We missed some balls, and we couldn't protect," Orgeron repeated. "They were all over Joe, and there were a lot of missed assignments. And a lot of times, we got beat one-on-one. We just couldn't get it done."

LSU was without starting left tackle Saahdiq Charles, who was suspended for the game for disciplinary reasons. Orgeron said he will return for the Auburn game as will outside linebacker Michael Divinity, Jr., who also sat out the game for disciplinary reasons.

Orgeron tried not to use the loss of Charles as an excuse, but he was obviously missed as Burrow's blind side was often exposed. Sophomore Austin Deculus started his first game at LSU in place of Charles.

Burrow finished just 10 of 20 for 151 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, but he was just 1 of 3 in the second half. He rushed eight times for 20 yards.

"I think I need to do a better job," Burrow said. "I don't think I did a good job leading and displaying confidence. That's going to be a big thing going forward for us. I would say we did leave some plays out there. We could've easily had 400 or 500 yards of offense, but I just didn't execute."

The defense did throw a shutout, and will likely need to be at its best to keep LSU in the game at Auburn with LSU's developing and often struggling offense.

"Yeah, I think we're ready," LSU linebacker Devin White said smiling. "I think we're ready. I know we're ready. If we're not ready, we're going to get ready."