re: LSU is your defense better than last years

The secondary is an embarrassment of riches. Talented and deep. There will be backups on this squad who get drafted and make NFL rosters, like Ron Brooks did in 2012 (4th round).

The linebackers will be better than last year, though not a great group overall.

Defensive tackle was the biggest question mark before the game, and it's the biggest question mark now. Out of our three best DTs, one didn't play because of a suspension, and another started and played with a torn bicep (the docs have cleared him to play through the pain). Out of our next two DTs, one was suspended for the game and the other played as a true freshman. So, we didn't get very good play from the DTs, but it's hard to know how they will play as the season goes on.

Our DEs are lean and built to rush the passer more than to stop the run.

Bottom line: nobody is throwing the ball on us this year, but real concerns remain about our ability to stop the run. To have a chance to make the playoff, I'm less worried about passing teams like A&M and more worried about Alabama and Georgia (assuming that we met them in the title game).