LSU Drops In ESPN's College Football Power Rankings

LSU dropped from No. 16 to No. 23 in ESPN's College Football Power Rankings after the loss to Alabama.

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No. 23 LSU Tigers
Previous ranking: 16

Brian Kelly repeatedly said after a 42-13 loss to Alabama that he has to do a better job getting his team ready to play, and that has to start on defense, where the Tigers have been unable to slow down running quarterbacks in their past two games -- losses that have all but eliminated their playoff hopes. Making improvements defensively is where the Tigers have to start if they want to remain ranked in the Top 25 with games left against Florida, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.

What has to be particularly frustrating for Kelly is the fact he overhauled his defensive staff in the offseason in an effort to improve the defense. But the same issues keep cropping up for a unit that has struggled to shut teams down. Although Garrett Nussmeier has had a good season, LSU has been unable to run the ball consistently, and his mistakes have piled up. The Tigers have six turnovers in their past two games. -- Andrea Adelson

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ESPN Power Rankings:
1. Oregon
2. Ohio State
3. Texas
4. Tennessee
5. Indiana
6. Penn State
7. BYU
8. Alabama
9. Miami
10. Ole Miss
11. Notre Dame
12. Boise State
13. Georgia
14. SMU
15. Army
16. Colorado
17. Texas A&M
18. Washington State
19 Clemson
20. South Carolina
21. Louisville
22. Kansas State
23. LSU
24. Missouri
25. Tulane