Where LSU Tigers Defense Ranks Against Other NCAA Teams Through Four Weeks

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Blake Baker's LSU Tigers defense has been elite this season. There has only been one game this year where they even had a human performance: the loss to the Ole Miss Rebels.

Even with that game, they still rank toward the top of the country in most categories. The Rebels had 426 total yards, with 363 through the air, which skewed some of the results. Still, here is where the unit ranks amongst the rest of Division I through four games:

Rushing Defense – 47.5 Yards Per Game – No. 2

There will be a few points of emphasis on this list for the defensive line, but this has been the front seven in total. The linebackers have been a huge part of their success. Whit Weeks has been phenomenal against the run this year, so his loss will be something to watch this year. Not having Dashawn Spears could also hurt.

To this point, though, the complete elimination of their opponent's rushing attacks has slowed down everyone but Ole Miss. There was some worry that Marcel Reed might put a dent in this production, but this year LSU held him to 10 rushes for -13 yards.

Passing Defense – 179.3 Yards Per Game – No. 38

This is the main area where that Ole Miss game and Trinidad Chambliss have hurt their rankings. The Tigers allowed 363 passing yards in that one game, which is more than their other opponents combined for in total. Outside of that one game, they had allowed 118 yards per outing. That would be the third-best in the country.

Obviously, it isn't fair to just take away their worst performance, but overall, there still isn't much to worry about so far. Injuries have hurt, but they still have the talent to compete with any passing attack. It will come down to execution of the game plan.

Team Sacks – 19.0 – No. 1

The defensive line, as a whole, has been strong. This ranking is thanks in large part to two people, though. Princewill Umanmielen already has a whopping seven sacks, which is just Colin Simmons at No. 1 by only half a sack. Freshman phenom Deuce Geralds ranks No. 12 in the country with four. This pass rush has been fun to watch so far.

Total Defense – 226.8 Yards Per Game – No. 3

Of course, this all combines to make one of the best defenses in the entire country. It is clear how much of a weapon Baker holds in his hands each week. The offense stepped it up a bit last week, but the defense has been the heart and soul of this team. They are the reason they are pushing for a College Football Playoff appearance. If the complimentary football continues, then the sky is the limit.

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