Over the past decade, the calling card for the LSU Tigers has been the defense. It started under former head coach Nick Saban, and has continued to current head coach Les Miles. Year in and year out, the Tigers are known for their dominating defense, which has led LSU to a pair of BCS National Championships.
In 2013, things have been vastly different on the Bayou. Miles hired Cam Cameron as the new offensive coordinator this season, and the Tigers have been a juggernaut on offense. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger has improved drastically, and the power running game is now complimented by a downfield passing attack.
However, the defense for the 2013 Tigers has not lived up to LSU defenses of the past. That is, until Saturday, when it looked like old times in Tiger Stadium. LSU held the Florida Gators without a touchdown in a 17-6 win, the first time this season that the defense has carried the load instead of the offense for LSU.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis had his team ready for this game, and it showed. LSU held Florida to only 240 yards of total offense, only 111 of those were on the ground. Florida only averaged 2.8 yards per rush on 40 carries, well below their season average.
If the LSU defense can continue to play like it did on Saturday, and if the offense can keep putting up big numbers (unlike in Saturday’s game), the Tigers could make some noise down the stretch. Saturday’s win over Florida was a good start.
Tim Letcher is a contributing writer for www.RantSports.com and a member of the Football Writers Association of America. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
Related:
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3 Keys That Will Decide LSU-Florida Game
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