LSU football's defense was dominant again on Saturday night. A week after stifling Clemson, LSU did a similar thing to Louisiana Tech. LSU held Louisiana Tech to just eight first downs, including three of 14 on third down. Tech totaled 140 yards and only completed 14 passes.
When a defense is as talented as LSU, this is what you expect vs. a team like Louisiana Tech. Elite units take care of business vs. Group of Six teams. That's what LSU's defense did on Saturday.
Blake Baker's defense has a chance to be the best in college football. ESPN released its updated SP+ rankings Sunday morning, and LSU's defense held at No. 2, close behind Ohio State's No. 1 defense.
When LSU hired Baker ahead of 2024, this is what the Tigers envisioned. At its best,
Baker's scheme is an aggressive, havoc-creating, turnover-forcing defense. LSU lived in the backfield on Saturday night and forced three turnovers.
Per GameOnPaper, LSU held Louisiana Tech to -0.65 EPA/play and an 18% success rate. That makes this one of the best LSU defensive performances we've seen in recent memory.
LSU's transfer additions continued to make an impact in Week 2. Ole Miss transfer linebacker TJ Dottery led the group with seven tackles. Dottery forced a fumble, notched four stops, and pressured the passer twice. Dottery's fellow Ole Miss transfer, Princewill Umanmielen, totaled three sacks. Boise State transfer safety Ty Benefield made three stops.
Another Saturday standout was freshman defensive tackle, Deuce Geralds. With a 92.3 PFF defensive grade, Geralds was LSU's No. 2 graded defender, only behind Dottery. Geralds notched four pressures, a sack, and forced a fumble.
Whit Weeks was a difference-maker, too, with six tackles and three stops.
LSU's defense looks like a machine right now, but the Tigers have their toughest test yet next week. LSU travels to Ole Miss to face Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy. LSU kept the Rebels' offense in check last year. Now Chambliss is a year older and has SEC experience. If LSU shows up and shuts down Ole Miss, the Tigers should be considered the top defense in the sport.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football's defense has historic day vs Louisiana Tech
