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Replies: 11
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Mascot [21]
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LSU Defensive Depth
Dec 31, 2019, 4:49 PM
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In looking at LSU's roster and their defensive stats, it doesn't appear that there is much depth at LB or DB.
The top 4 tacklers at linebacker all have 50 tackles or more - Jacob Phillips (105), Patrick Queen (77), K'Lavon Chaisson (58) and Damone Clark (50) - but the next closest is Michael Divinity Jr. (23) who was suspended before the Alabama game and only recently reinstated for the national championship game. There are 3 other linebackers on the roster with more than 5 tackles on the season - Micah Baskerville (15), Andre Anthony (9) and Ray Thornton (9) - but how much will they play in this game?
Since Divinity's suspension, JaCoby Stevens was used as a LB, and Kary Vincent Jr. came in to fill the safety spot. With Divinity's return, they won't have to use this pattern anymore, but it highlights the lack of depth at LB and allows for a similar point to be made about the secondary.
The top 5 defensive backs account for 256 tackles, 49 PBUs and 16 picks, or 65.3% of the deflections and 94.1% of the interceptions. Beyond those 5, the next 5 DBs consist of 3 true freshman and 2 red-shirt junior role players and have combined for 60 tackles and 6 break-ups. How much will they be trusted to handle in this game?
Don't get me wrong. These starters are all super talented, with most rated at least 4 stars by both Rivals and 247, but there doesn't appear to be any backups behind them.
LSU's defense has 14 players who have 20 tackles or more on the season, and there's probably an argument to be made that only really 12 of them will be counted on.
By comparison, Clemson's defense has 19 players with 20 or more tackles, and all 19 will play a significant role in the game.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2019/12/31/lsu-linebacker-michael-divinity-jr-reinstated-for-title-game/40919103/
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All-In [40875]
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I would have thought Bama would have injured a couple of
Dec 31, 2019, 4:52 PM
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them. Maybe they have just had enough time to get back healthy.
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Freshman [7]
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Re: LSU Defensive Depth
Dec 31, 2019, 4:56 PM
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I like the idea of going tempo to start the game to take advantage of that. Get them winded early.
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Mascot [21]
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Re: LSU Defensive Depth
Dec 31, 2019, 5:32 PM
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I do too. I'd imagine that 80+ plays would be the goal. Doing the analysis, it reminded me of the 2016 Alabama defense that was just gassed at the end of the game. Seems like something similar could happen here too.
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Varsity [244]
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Re: LSU Defensive Depth
Dec 31, 2019, 8:19 PM
[ in reply to Re: LSU Defensive Depth ] |
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Tempo is good but the offense will have to make the plays to move the ball. Offense cannot run tempo and have 3 and outs or get only one first down. We have good depth for defense but giving their offense multiple chances would not be good.
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Walk-On [143]
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Re: LSU Defensive Depth
Dec 31, 2019, 9:41 PM
[ in reply to Re: LSU Defensive Depth ] |
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I like the idea of going tempo to start the game to take advantage of that. Get them winded early.
If Clemson runs tempo the way we run tempo… There might be a couple of heart attacks on both defenses...
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110%er [5977]
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We should be able to get outside on them
Dec 31, 2019, 5:12 PM
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Their DL is slow, they play a lot of 4 DT sets. We won’t have much success running between the tackles but we should be able to get the edge.
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Mascot [21]
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Re: We should be able to get outside on them
Dec 31, 2019, 5:27 PM
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Yeah, their DL seems to have decent depth. While I couldn't find any snap count totals, tackles-wise they have 6 d-linemen with more than 15 tackles on the year. The stats kind of show that the DL doesn't produce a lot as far as tackles, TFLs or sacks, but they seem to be space eaters to allow the LBs to make plays, as they average 6'3 317-318.
This article implies Aranda uses a 3 man-front but I guess if you don't have the depth at LB you'd probably go with a 4 man front.(https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_44bf4b72-819b-5015-9700-3e982e346491.amp.html)
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Orange Blooded [3639]
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Re: We should be able to get outside on them
Dec 31, 2019, 5:39 PM
[ in reply to We should be able to get outside on them ] |
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You nailed it. I'm sure Elliot will have a plan of attack for when they have 3 or more DTs in at once.
Regarding tempo, no doubt we will use it selectively. Depends a few things.
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Varsity [231]
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LSU D reserves
Dec 31, 2019, 8:00 PM
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LSU plays NG and 2 DTs, almost never 4 DL Alternates NGs, 6'3, 345 and 6"4, 355. 3 man DL rotates 8 thru so the big boys stay fresh.
On passing downs the 4 best pass rushers come in w/ 7 DBs.
Reserves don't make a lot of tackles when a team plays a schedule full of serious opposition. Just no time to get them in. LSU finally sacrificed yds vs OM & Ark to rest starters and let Fr get experience, gave up yds but D got better.
Getting outside won't be easy, LSU team speed is good.
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Mascot [21]
TigerPulse: 96%
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Re: LSU D reserves
Dec 31, 2019, 8:39 PM
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I don’t buy the idea that reserves can’t get snaps because of schedule, especially with that offense. Bama’s the only game that that would make sense. Auburn’s and Florida’s offenses are garbage. When you’re dropping 40+ on every team, seems like you should be able to build depth.
Who are the other 2 dbs to come in? Cameron Lewis and Mo Hampton?
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All-TigerNet [10805]
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Re: LSU Defensive Depth
Dec 31, 2019, 9:39 PM
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Now if the rest of the trolls joined you newbies, then maybe you would all move to FGF or Tigerdroppings.
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