re: LSU's Defense

TRex, you really need to check yourself here. The reality is that the defense has played well, but not as well as we've come accustomed to these past several years. Part of that is trying out new schemes, and others is the anemic passing offense much of the first two games.

Against App St., we shut them out for the first half with the first team. They scored on second and 3rd teamers in the second half, and only managed 13 points. 6 points came on two FGs either because of a turnover at our 10 or a blown play (penalty) on a fourth down that we stopped them at the last moments.

Against UNT, we threw pick to our 25 and they scored a FG. The defense played solid, but people want to see <100 yards total offense it seems.

Against Auburn, we gave up a Pick 6 for 7 points. The other two TDs came on two 3rd and longs that were a busted coverages that extended a drive that lead to a TD and one that was a TD. We played Auburn at Auburn, and they played better on offense then prior in the season. They got beat up and played Tennessee this weekend.

Against MSU, we gave up an opening 50+ yard kickoff return and held them to 3 on that drive. Got 2 consecutive turnovers (a pick and a fumble) in our territory and gave up the TD partly because the defense was tired. In the second half, we had lost our 2 starting DTs and they simply ran screens and HB routes. Our LBers didn't commit against this and it cost us twice.

Please remember against MSU, the team just came of serious emotional win, and survived. Look at the UK game last year. We had a hard fought, emotional game against UF, then played UK and dominated them early outside of one drive and then got complacent. Jackson got injured and we made silly mistakes. It happens. This team is also testing out some new schemes and MSU tried a new QB that we had little film on.

Overall, the defense has room to improve, but I'd rather them start slow and gel and finish strong then like happened last year. After the VaTech domination the defense slowly got worse and worse. This year we hopefully will make adjustments as we go along.