This is a bad take. We have the personnel to be better on Defense. Sorry but we are NOT this bad. There is something else besides talent causing this. It could be the wrong mix of guys at the wrong positions. But our players are playing pretty awful and CAN absolutely play better.

First of all stop sitting guys for being set up in bad situations. Harris and Ryan need to sit the bench. They are not our best players period and they routinely get over matched in the physical piece of the game. Both mental and physical. Sit those two and find someone else. Secondly… STOP giving WRs 10 yards of cushion on every damn play. They actually give them more because they back pedal for 5 more yards after the snap. Shorten that up to 5 yards or stop back peddling because these WRs just break the route off and then they have 3-5 yards to make a move after the catch. We have to be closer to the damn ball when the catch is made, period.

3rd the DL, LBs and DBs all need to run drills on how to pursue the ball carrier in front of them. Whether that’s the QB for the DL/LBs/DBs, the RB for the DL/LBs/DBs or a WR for the LBs/DBs. They need to practice how to keep the ball carrier squared with them, make the ball carrier move laterally so it gives your team time to join and the ball carrier isn’t moving north/south beyond the first defender. After they’ve done that, they need to run drills on how to wrap up the ball carrier and send them to the ground or stop all forward motion.

They are moving way too fast toward the ball carrier then missing when they side step or leaving their feet because the ball carrier is now moving past them. Square up, wrap up, drive down with quickness. Let them watch teams that do it well and then go run drills. Bring someone to practice that does it well and let them follow their instruction. Bring an old LSU DB to practice and watch them defense man and zone. Bring some of our best LBs and DL man to practice and show these kids how to do it right. Having an LSU alumn to show them might just help. We can get better and I don’t believe Tulane has better players than LSU, yet they played better defense. It’s a mix of scheme, personnel and playing the right way.