I've never seen an LSU defense look as scared as the defense on the field this season. Everyone appears to be afraid of contact. Everyone.

There are flashes of brilliance on the D-line with Ego and Freak, but even they don't consistently have an aggressive approach to the game. If they can't play 100% as long as they are on the field, then get them on the treadmill and work in our other d-linemen.

I've never seen a linebacking corps this unable to fill run gaps, this unable to shed blocks, this unable to put their heads across the bow and tackle like men. I feel like I'm watching a peewee league game most of the time and the worst was on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Bama's o-line flat out decimated our front 6 or 7 nearly every time. If you can get a 220 pound horse a five yard head start, then give him another two yards just by being stronger and meaner up front, that horse is going to flat run over anyone standing still and in his way.I don't remember many plays in the second half where LSU stopped Bama for a short gain, no gain, or loss. Most runs were at least 5 yards. We are absolutely soft up the middle.

And heaven help us if they get to the next level. The only one who isn't terrified of hitting is Loston, and he's so out of position half the time it doesn't matter. The other guys try to roll over the runningbacks' ankles. That was an embarrassment.

LSU used to be known as big, mean, aggressive bastards who would out hustle, overpower, and crush opponents beneath them. And this mentality was present on both sides of the ball. This year has seen LSU get away from that and get away from that in a big way. We are more finesse now, and that is getting us punked on national TV. I'm all for having a vertical passing game, but I feel like that has somehow colored the manner in which LSU approaches the game on both sides of the ball. Perhaps that's dumb, but the mentality of this team is far different from the mentality of last year's and years prior. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but our guys must at the very least be willing to hit.