[h=1]What LSU needs to do in recruiting to beat Alabama: James Smith[/h]
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LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele works with players during afternoon practice on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. (Photo by Brianna Paciorka, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
(Brianna Paciorka, NOLA.com | The-Times-Picayune)
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James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune The Times-Picayune
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on November 09, 2015 at 2:00 PM
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There are myriad factors that contributed to the Tigers' 30-16 loss against their abhorred rival Alabama Saturday night.
Football is a game frequently decided by individual match-ups and physical prowess, and the Tigers were outmatched, and beat up in Tuscaloosa. Yes, LSU has a similar level of talent as the Crimson Tide, but they just aren't built to beat them right now.
Every football coach in America knows that regardless of how good you are offensively, a great defense is the recipe to success. We see it on every level, and the SEC epitomizes this notion.
The Tigers' offense was nonexistent on Saturday, with the exception of a few big passing plays in the first half that served as nothing more than a deterrent from the inevitable. The roster pieces are there to provide a balanced, physical group that could effectively move the football at points against a lauded Alabama defense, though.
From a recruiting perspective, they have killed it on the trail. They consistently land skill players who rival that of any program in the country. The offensive line is possibly the most talented unit we have seen under a Les Miles LSU team. You can't ask for much more than that.
Those guys simply did not show up. Everyone involved with the offense shoulders some of the blame for the inexplicable showing. What transpired on defense, though, I believe is more definitive.
Tigers outside linebacker Deion "Debo" Jones certainly wasn't "Debo" on the block Saturday night, as the 215-pounder frequently found himself physically restricted when trying to be a factor in stopping Alabama's impressive running attack. The same Deion Jones who has been beastly in the games leading up to this showdown.
Defensive tackles Christian LaCouture and Davon Godchaux were non-factors, with LaCouture being removed from the hole on numerous occasions throughout the night, giving the Crimson Tide backs massive running lanes throughout the night.
On the other end of the spectrum, you had a massive, athletic Alabama defensive front that had zero issues dominating the line of scrimmage, and they did so with 7-man fronts. Not the 8, 9 or 10 guys in the box that other programs deploy to counter LSU's dominant rushing attack. For LSU to get over the top, they have to be able to do the same.
But this is what LSU wanted to build under its old defensive regime, led by Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis; a fast Tigers defense that is a bit undersized, but capable of being effective against spread attacks from their base 4-3 sets.
We are used to seeing LSU move safeties to linebacker, defensive ends being moved inside to play defensive tackle. While it may be the right call in some instances, it can't be the norm. The spread offenses are not beating LSU on a consistent basis; it is an Alabama pro-style offensive attack that has proven to be the thorn in their side.
Once you add the lack of recruiting the right guys up front, especially at the linebacker position, voila, they can't hold up in the trenches and allowed Alabama running backs to account for 278 rushing yards.
The likely average weight of Davon Godchaux and Christian Lacouture is less than 300 pounds right now. The football programs and media guide may tell you different, but that is a practice utilized by every football program, on every level. As a result, Alabama's offensive line rendered them useless on this night. And these are two outstanding football players. But these are two players who should not be lined up next to each other against that type of offensive attack.
Make no mistake about it, the Tigers need to recruit in a way that allows them to match up with Alabama. Nothing more. Nothing less.
How to fix it
To be honest, I believe LSU is already taking massive steps to change the physical make-up of its roster on the defensive side of the ball. The new defensive regime appears to be taking a different approach on the trail. There was a considerable amount of discourse regarding the defensive scheme that newly appointed defensive coordinator Kevin Steele would implement once it was his defense to run.
Circumstance forced his hand, though, with a lack of personnel in place that would allow him to convert his unit to a 3-4 scheme. Regardless of the front, the defensive front seven will be larger in stature with Steele and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron in place, if they continue to recruit the way they are right now.
When 6-4, 300-pound Destrehan defensive lineman Glen Logan committed to LSU, he stated that he was being recruited as a defensive end; a five-technique to be exact. The Tigers already have commitments from Logan, massive 6-3, 320-pound St. Thomas defensive tackle Ed Alexander and Denham Springs defensive lineman Caleb Roddy, who could play as a 300-pound defensive end once he matures. LSU targets Rashann Gary, Shavar Manuel and Neville's Rashard Lawrence are all 290-pounds plus, with Gary and Manuel capable of playing four and five-technique defensive ends at the next level.
There is a different type of linebacker being recruited by LSU, as well. The Tigers have verbal commitments from three linebackers, each of whom has a frame capable of playing at 235 pounds or more. The linebackers they are currently pursuing are also much bigger than what we have seen in previous years.
Karr defensive end Andre Anthony, another LSU commitment, could also excel standing up in a 3-4 scheme, and is currently 6-3, 220 pounds as a high school senior. They may not be able to make the permanent schematic change, but it certainly looks like that is where they are headed.
Regardless of the alignment chosen by the LSU staff, it is apparent that they are trying to get bigger upfront on defense. It is equally apparent that the offensive struggles are not related to the lack of adequate players on its roster. The former can be changed by whom they bring in to play, with the latter being another issue all together.
