Why is LSU's defense being overlooked?

Don’t know but I like it

Because ESPN is comprised of people who are singularly focused...They actually only see we are replacing 5 starters on defense and don’t realize that the individuals who played behind them logged significant minutes. This includes Kary Vincent, Tyler, Phillips, Chaisson....

We also have ? Marks on players we are high on in Fehoko and Shelvin.

They also don’t put emphasis on injury and depth and how that hindered talents like Rashard and Ed Al.

Aren’t two of our defenders pre-season all American and on the bednarik watch list? I’m not sure exactly what the national perception is of the unit as a whole but I’d say Aranda is usually cited as a top notch defensive mind in the game. I feel like the d gets plenty of love.

Anyone who saw the LSU-ND game saw our D give up lots of yards at the end and also saw a D player go for the glory instead of making the play, thus allowing ND to score.

We should be solid, but HOW SOLID for SEC play are we ???

still to be determined on the field.

We had the 13th best defense in the nation last year and we return Devin White, Rashard Lawrence, Ed Alexander, K’Lavon Chaisson, Greedy Williams, Grant Delpit, John Battle, Jacob Phillips,Tyler Taylor, Michael Divinity, Eric Monroe, and we add Breiden Fehoko and Tyler Shelvin. All led by the mastermind Dave Aranda.

If people are sleeping on this defense, they won’t be for long.

We're guilty of it too when it comes to other teams. Remember, the national media is not as focused on LSU as we are. That said, objectively you see LSU replacing several starters in the front seven: Key, Lacatoure, Gilmore, Thompson, Alexander. Couple that with the loss of a CB (2 if you count nickle). That doesn't look good until....

...you realize the guys replacing them are likely more talented. Lacatoure and Gilmore were, at best, OK players. Neither were necessarily "bad", but they weren't game changers either. On pure talent and ability, I'm taking Alexander and Fehoko over them. You could argue at times D. Alexander was a bit of a liability on defense last year with his size. There is a reason the two true Freshman played a lot (besides the suspensions and injuries to Alexander). Now those LB's return bigger and with experience.

Key is a big loss...on paper. But outside of the Alabama game and a few moments here and there last season, he was largely a non-factor as a result of his own doing (out of shape and unmotivated). A healthy Key playing with passion was a game changer. Last year's version was just "a guy". Jackson is likely the biggest loss and LSU doesn't have a known commodity to step in and take his spot.

Of those 7 starters lost only two were taken in the draft. So yes, LSU is losing several starters. But (sorry if it offends anyone) those guys weren't game changing players. It's not like last year where LSU had to replace: Adams, White, Beckwith, Reily, Godchaux --- all guys who were drafted. And all guys who logged SIGNIFICANT playing time as rookies. Two on the all-rookie team.

Glad they’re overlooked.

I think Burrow will surprise people with his legs

I hope we shock the shite out of their dumb overlooking arse...

I think LSU will significantly surprise people on all 3 phases. We have more on the field and off the field coaches this year. Sullivan, McMahon and Busch. We also added more S&C coaches along with more analyst. This will have an impact.

The mindset of our team and how close they are will make an impact as well. We now have leaders on this team where last year we were finding them. When players hold other players accountable, it has an impact.

If Burrow can step up and lead this offense while our OL becomes its own leadership entity as well as our WR group then this team will be special. I don't think they care what the schedule looks like. I'm going to call it now. LSU will beat either GA or Bama this year in BR and we'll make NY6 bowl game. End the season 10-2 losing to either Bama or GA then losing an away game to either Auburn or FL.

Hopefully we beat Bama/Auburn, lose to GA/FL by 3 in OT, win the west, win the SEC, and make a playoff. Crazy things can happen. With that schedule, it could happen.