So, last night's college football game was supposed to be a game which pitted two of the best teams the Southeastern Conference had to offer. Third ranked LSU was taking on borderline-ranked Mississippi State who had gotten a lot better in recent times as Coach Dan Mullen won nine games with them last year.
LSU's defense took all the sizzle out of this fight however, and while Jarret Lee didn't have to do a whole lot, going 21 for 27 for 213 and a touchdown might just be enough with the defense LSU fields.
The LSU defense is the buzz of the college football world today and there are several reasons why:
1. Depth. The Tigers are deep on the defensive line especially and they play like it. They're also extremely well conditioned, as they are quick to get players in and out against up-tempo offenses like the offense they faced last night. Playing eight guys on the defensive line and keeping them fresh is a big advantage for that defense. Anyone who has watched five minutes of football knows it starts up-front and the Tigers have one of the deepest defensive lines in America - and one of the best conditioned lines in the country as well.
2. Discipline. For those who were watching the game, note how many times explosive State quarterback Chris Relf had to stay in the pocket to pass. There's little doubt to anyone who has watched a little bit of Mississippi State football this year that Relf is best when he gets outside the pocket and can make plays with his feet or his arm. In the pocket, he's much less deadly. LSU kept its lanes all night long and would not let him break contained. They also did a great job staying with their assignments on the zone read play.
3. Motivation. Andy Staples of SI noted in his column today that LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis said the defensive unit blew a bunch of assignments. It sounds like the words of a defense that has a deep, burning desire to be the best in the country and it sounds like the words of a unit which knows the heavy lifting is still yet to come. LSU still has to go to West Virginia next week, must grind through the SEC and still must play at Alabama. That being said, try asking Mississippi State's offense if LSU's defense missed a bunch of assignments. It sure didn't look like it from this perspective.
A word to the wise, especially those who follow college football: Defense still wins games. LSU proved it last night.
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