Let’s have a real, non-hyperbolic, talk about the defense

Some of these topics are absurd. Worst front 7 in 25 years, Delpit is trash, Chaisson is trash, etc,

Look none of that is true. The defense was certainly abysmal last night and Delpit had one of the worst single game performances I’ve ever seen from a guy who is supposed to be one of our better defenders - but we’re also a week removed from one half of a road game shutting down an all time great CFB offense with 7 potential 1st rounders. So the sky isn’t falling but at the same time, there are serious issues.

Let’s start with the DL. It is what it is. They are really good against the run. Shelvin is a problem for offenses and can blow up run plays by himself. Lawrence and Logan are good at eating up blocks as well, and we have good depth with Fehoko and Ika. I know Chaisson isn’t a DL but he’s playing at the LOS enough to effectively be one. He has been an absolute force setting the edge against the run, last night he damned. On the flip side, we don’t have pass rushers. Chaisson is our best and frankly he isn’t getting it done there. We can’t rely on any of our defenders to win one on ones consistently in pass rush situations and will need to be creative with blitzes if we want pressure.

The LB core is good. Queen, Phillips, Clark all have been good IMO. We don’t have a game breaker there like Devin White, but not many teams do.

At DB, Stingley and Fulton make for one of the best CB tandems in LSU history. They have been the strongest and most consistent part of this defense. Nickel back is a glaring hole. Vincent has shown flashes at times, I think he’s our best chance to get some consistency there for this season - Flott or award just don’t appear ready. At Safety, Stevens is a great versatile piece. He will give up some plays in coverage, but he is also a playmaker. Delpit is great in coverage. On the flip side, his run support and tackling have been an F this season. I also think the injury is effecting him more than we know - there’s no other way to explain such a drastic decline from last year.

Overall, we’re gonna give up more points and yards than we’re used to seeing with LSU. Part of that is because of the above issues, part is because teams will play ultra aggressive against us to keep up with the offense. Our goal on defense should be big plays and critical stops. We might give up 400-500 yards but if we generate a few turnovers, some stops in critical moments - with our offense, that’s a success and what we should measure them by. And last night aside, they’ve pretty much done that all year long.