Tider 27 said:
It's mostly been a group effort this season when it comes to who stepped up. The only two noticable entries I would say was Gilberry against Houston, and Jackson against Tennessee.
Besides that, the Defense has been a work in progress all season. They have stepped up when needed this season(for the most part) and if they show up this Saturday, it will be a interesting game to say the least.
Our defense this year reminds me of some of the defenses we had in the 80's, minus the star players. I hate the term "bend but don't break," and I know that it does not apply to our defense in terms of a scheme standpoint, but that has been the case - due primarily to a lack of depth and talent on the DL. Our DL is not that good at pressuring. Thankfully that is offset somewhat by our secondary being very opportunistic. If you make a mistake, they will make you pay for it. The positive for us is that LSU has not been a well oiled machine in terms of offensive discipline...they do lead the SEC in turnover margin (we are second), however that is a bit misleading. They are the most penalized team in the SEC and we are one of the least penalized...the difference in disciplined play could be a major factor. Make no mistake, our stadium will be the most hostile environment that LSU has played in this season and that will not help their cause.
Our biggest reason to feel positive (if not confident) going in, is that our offense is probably the closest thing to what they faced against kentucky that they could face. We have the receivers and the QB to play a ball controlled passing game against LSU, and our running game is better. KY is statistically higher, but We have not played Kent State, FIU, and a really bad Louisville defense to pad our stats. FSU may not be a top 10 team, but their defense is a top 20 defense. LSU has a great defense, but they have given up 85 points in their last 3 games. 16 of those points were in overtime against KY, but it was KY, who has lost 3 of their last 4 games - including getting Croomed. Their one win was over LSU.
Does LSU have more talent? Yes.
Should LSU be favored? Yes.
Is LSU invincible? No...not even close. A dumb call on a kickoff and some blind luck handed the Auburn game to them. They lost to UK. They are beatable.
To win this game, we must:
(1) limit explosive plays
(2) control the clock (get the defense off the field!)
(3) Win the turnover battle
(4) No stupid penalties
(5) Be opportunistic
IF we do those things, we can win this game handily. If we have mental errors and turnovers, we could get destroyed...the talent gap is too large to give LSU anything they don't earn.
I don't want to lose by 3. IF we get beat, I want to lose by 21...I want to feel like we got beat...not some stupid pass interference call that does not get called making a difference in the outcome. I want to beat LSU by 21. If we win, I don't want to hear LSU fans bellyaching that they got jobbed by the refs or cheated in some way.
Don't get me wrong, I will take a 1 point win...but losing by 1 or 20 I don't want to hear excuses from either side. LSU having more talent is not an excuse, it is a reality...but Bama having better coaching is a reality as well.
It should be fun.