The Joe Burrow Touchdown Bracket: Day 26

Welcome to the fourth and final region of our Joe Burrow touchdown bracket. In eight days, we’ll be in the Round of 32 and have some closer votes with better, more higher stakes touchdowns.

But we’ve got 24 of 32 spots filled, we still need to fill the final eight. For that let’s introduce the Tiger King Region and the region’s number one seed.

No. 1: Ja’Marr Chase’s 54-yard go route vs. Florida

The context:

The LSU-Florida game is always a heavyweight bout and the 2019 edition was no exception. The Gators came into Baton Rouge, with a backup quarterback no less, and gave LSU all it could handle that October night in Tiger Stadium.

Every first half touchdown scored by LSU was answered by Florida. In fact, if you exclude LSU taking a knee with four second left in the first half, There were six consecutive possessions that ended with touchdowns: three by LSU, three by Florida.

After LSU goes up 35-28 the two teams trade punts. When Florida got the ball back it had one goal in mind: tie the game at 35. And the Gators almost did until Derek Stingley Jr. made the biggest interception of his life, picking off Kyle Trask in the end zone to preserve the 35-28 lead. A key thing to remember is Florida had a third and less than a yard, but instead of going to the ground the Gators forced the issue and went to the end zone.

LSU took possession with 7:16 to play and up seven. Previous iterations of LSU football would probably run the ball and try to kill as much clock as possible. If they had to give the ball back, they would try to make sure Florida had minimal time and no timeouts to work with.

But the 2019 Tigers were unlike any offense we’ve ever seen and instead of settling, it forced the issue. This is one of the best play designs of the year. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is split outside near the boundary with Chase in the slot. The two run crossing routes and both turn up field, and the action springs Chase free. Burrow hits Chase in stride and if this was a boxing match, consider this pass the knockout punch.

No. 16: Justin Jefferson’s 12 yard-screen vs. Ole Miss

The context:

LSU got of to a hot start that cold night in Oxford, scoring touchdowns on four of its opening five possessions. This play put LSU up 28-0 and while the Tiger defense would eventually have a rough night, the offense as as potent as ever.

On this play it’s just a simple bubble screen thrown to Jefferson. Ole Miss busts the coverage and doesn’t have anyone covering Jefferson. Terrace Marshall does a good job of getting just enough of two different Rebel defenders and Jefferson wins the footrace to the end zone.