Deep in the secondary, but shaky up front
Last season, LSU's defense ranked 36th in the nation for total yards allowed per game with 453. This season, the Tigers will return a handful of young players who will have the potential to break out this season and become superstars.
Sophomores Tre'Davious White and Rashard Robinson will return as the expected starting cornerback tandem for the Tigers; junior Jalen Collins has also been in the discussion. Last season, White and Robinson started side-by-side in two of the last three games; this season, both players have been projected by some to have All-American-caliber years. Collins acknowledged White and Robinson's significant development this offseason in an interview with The Times-Picayune. The fourth-year junior believes that the corners' improved knowledge of defensive coordinator John Chavis' 4-3 scheme will translate to their performances on the field.
"Those two have really improved from where they were as a freshmen," Collins said. "They're great athletes and great players and now they've been here and had a chance to learn the system better. They know the little stuff that we're supposed to know that can help make us the best secondary in the country."[/QUOTE]
The Tigers' secondary has been formidable in recent years. Since 2009, their pass defense has ranked in the top 30 nationally in every season. Furthermore, they have totaled more than 10 interceptions in every one of those years and have never allowed more than 15 passing touchdowns in a single year. That may send shivers down Tanner McEvoy's spine.
The biggest concern on the defensive side for LSU will be their rushing defense. Last season, the Tigers' rushing defense was underwhelming. They allowed 1,862 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground, and often times failed to come through in clutch situations. Although many fans were unhappy with the performances from defensive linemen Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson last season, the departure of the two to the NFL will definitely hurt the Tigers' front seven. Players like Danielle Hunter, Christian LaCouture and Jermauria Rasco will need to step up in order to fill the void left by Johnson and Ferguson.
Lacouture, a 6'5, 298-pound junior, will be the key at defensive tackle. If he can make an impact in the middle, he'll be able to free up space for Rasco and Hunter at defensive end.
In 2013, LSU's rushing defensive struggled at times, especially during games that they lost. Last season, the defense averaged 3.9 rushing yards per attempt and 143.2 rushing yards per game. In each of LSU's three losses, the defense saw both of these averages climb.
In their 44-41 loss to Georgia, the Tigers' defense allowed an average of 5.4 yards per rush as the Bulldogs ran for 196 total yards. In the 27-24 loss against Ole Miss, they let up 176 yards on the ground, averaging 4.1 yards per rush. And in their 38-17 loss to Alabama, they allowed 193 rushing yards, averaging 4.6 yards per rush.
The bottom line: the Badgers can run the ball better than any team in the country when they're at their best. LSU's defensive line will be attempting to replace two NFL-caliber players, and if their rushing defense doesn't improve from last season, the Badgers' offensive line, along with Melvin Gordon will need to capitalize. On defense, the Badgers' front seven will need to play out of their minds in order to stay strong against a powerful group of running backs and a dominant LSU offensive line.
This is a make-or-break game for the Badgers. It's hard to remember a more difficult challenge that the team has had to face so early on, but there's no question a win on Saturday would put Wisconsin on the right track heading into the rest of the season. There is a good chance that this game ends up defining the 2014 Badgers. If Wisconsin wants to be considered a College Football Playoff contender, it will need to prove it can play with the SEC's top teams. IfGordon wants to be considered a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, he will need to perform against a top-tier defense. The Badgers have high expectations heading into this season, and we can expect many questions to be answered on Saturday night.
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Last season, LSU's defense ranked 36th in the nation for total yards allowed per game with 453. This season, the Tigers will return a handful of young players who will have the potential to break out this season and become superstars.
Sophomores Tre'Davious White and Rashard Robinson will return as the expected starting cornerback tandem for the Tigers; junior Jalen Collins has also been in the discussion. Last season, White and Robinson started side-by-side in two of the last three games; this season, both players have been projected by some to have All-American-caliber years. Collins acknowledged White and Robinson's significant development this offseason in an interview with The Times-Picayune. The fourth-year junior believes that the corners' improved knowledge of defensive coordinator John Chavis' 4-3 scheme will translate to their performances on the field.
"Those two have really improved from where they were as a freshmen," Collins said. "They're great athletes and great players and now they've been here and had a chance to learn the system better. They know the little stuff that we're supposed to know that can help make us the best secondary in the country."[/QUOTE]
The Tigers' secondary has been formidable in recent years. Since 2009, their pass defense has ranked in the top 30 nationally in every season. Furthermore, they have totaled more than 10 interceptions in every one of those years and have never allowed more than 15 passing touchdowns in a single year. That may send shivers down Tanner McEvoy's spine.
The biggest concern on the defensive side for LSU will be their rushing defense. Last season, the Tigers' rushing defense was underwhelming. They allowed 1,862 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground, and often times failed to come through in clutch situations. Although many fans were unhappy with the performances from defensive linemen Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson last season, the departure of the two to the NFL will definitely hurt the Tigers' front seven. Players like Danielle Hunter, Christian LaCouture and Jermauria Rasco will need to step up in order to fill the void left by Johnson and Ferguson.
Lacouture, a 6'5, 298-pound junior, will be the key at defensive tackle. If he can make an impact in the middle, he'll be able to free up space for Rasco and Hunter at defensive end.
In 2013, LSU's rushing defensive struggled at times, especially during games that they lost. Last season, the defense averaged 3.9 rushing yards per attempt and 143.2 rushing yards per game. In each of LSU's three losses, the defense saw both of these averages climb.
In their 44-41 loss to Georgia, the Tigers' defense allowed an average of 5.4 yards per rush as the Bulldogs ran for 196 total yards. In the 27-24 loss against Ole Miss, they let up 176 yards on the ground, averaging 4.1 yards per rush. And in their 38-17 loss to Alabama, they allowed 193 rushing yards, averaging 4.6 yards per rush.
The bottom line: the Badgers can run the ball better than any team in the country when they're at their best. LSU's defensive line will be attempting to replace two NFL-caliber players, and if their rushing defense doesn't improve from last season, the Badgers' offensive line, along with Melvin Gordon will need to capitalize. On defense, the Badgers' front seven will need to play out of their minds in order to stay strong against a powerful group of running backs and a dominant LSU offensive line.
This is a make-or-break game for the Badgers. It's hard to remember a more difficult challenge that the team has had to face so early on, but there's no question a win on Saturday would put Wisconsin on the right track heading into the rest of the season. There is a good chance that this game ends up defining the 2014 Badgers. If Wisconsin wants to be considered a College Football Playoff contender, it will need to prove it can play with the SEC's top teams. IfGordon wants to be considered a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, he will need to perform against a top-tier defense. The Badgers have high expectations heading into this season, and we can expect many questions to be answered on Saturday night.
link (scroll to last paragraph
