CLEMSON — Earlier I wrote how Clemson can beat LSU. Today I am writing on how the ACC’s Tigers could lose next Saturday’s game in Baton Rouge, La.
LSU’s defense, led by defensive coordinator Blake Baker, should be one of the better defenses in the country. Last year, under Baker, the Bayou Bengals defense was much improved.
LSU led the SEC in interceptions and ranked in the top five in scoring defense (19.8 ppg), touchdown passes allowed (14) and third down defense (34.5 percent).
New head coach Lane Kiffin was able to retain Baker after Memphis and Tulane (his alma mater) expressed interest in him as a head coach. He interviewed for both jobs but ultimately stayed in Baton Rouge.
And there is a good reason as to why.
LSU went out and bought the best roster you can buy, and the defense benefited a lot from the transactions. Kiffin went to the portal and got his former defensive end at Ole Miss, Princewill Umanmielen, and former Tennessee defensive end Jordan Ross.
They also brought in former Auburn defensive tackle Malik Blocton to go along with standout freshmen on the inside and returner Dominick McKinley
Of course, Whit Weeks is back at linebacker and cornerbacks DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland anchor a secondary that was already pretty good before transfer Ty Benefield joined the fray.
My point, LSU’s defense is going to be really good, which is not the best news for a Clemson offense that is starting a new quarterback on the road with a new offensive coordinator. Whether it is senior Christopher Vizzina or freshman Tait Reynolds at quarterback, this will be the first road start for either.
LSU struggled to get to the quarterback last year, as Baker used his linebackers and safeties to pressure quarterbacks. He is hoping the additions of Umanmielen and Ross will help with that and eliminate so much blitzing.
If Clemson’s offensive line struggles to block those two, it could be a long night for Vizzina and/or Reynolds.
On the defensive side, Clemson’s biggest concern lies in the middle of the defensive line. The Tigers are down three DTs, which means they will be playing a couple of guys they never intended to play this early in the season or at the very least take so many snaps in such a big game.
However, they are and it makes Tom Allen and defensive tackles coach Nick Eason very uneasy. If LSU decides it wants to run the ball up the middle, it will discover it will not have much resistance from the Tigers.
It also does not help that the Tigers are thin at linebacker, though head coach Dabo Swinney insists Clemson is better at linebacker than people give them credit for.
If LSU is running the football, the Tigers are in for a long night in Baton Rouge because it will set up the play action and will allow transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt to get comfortable in the pocket and find his open receivers downfield.
Though Leavitt is talented with his ability to run and throw the football, if Clemson cannot pressure him and get into his head, his confidence will grow and grow and LSU, with those weapons it has, will be extremely difficult to beat.