The "A&M has only one player on defense" talking point

Let's actually compare the "star power" on the two rosters.

LSU 2014 Depth Chart

DE: Rasco (SR 4*), Bower (SO 4*)
DT: LaCouture (SO 4*), Bain (FR 4*)
DT: Godchaux (FR 4*), Thomas (JR 3*)
DE: Hunter (JR 4*), Clark (FR 4*)
LB: Louis (JR 4*), Riley (SO 3*)
LB: Beckwith (SO 4*), Garrett (FR 5*)
LB: Alexander (JR 4*), Jones (JR 4*)
CB: Collins (JR 4*), Paris (FR 4*)
S: Mills (JR 3*), Jefferson (SO WR 4*)
S: Martin (SR 3*), Adams (FR 5*)
CB: White (SO 5*), Gage (FR 3*)

5 star - 3
4 star - 14
3 star - 5

Texas A&M 2014 Depth Chart

DE: Obioha (JR 3*), Cunningham (FR 4*)
DT: Henderson (FR 4*), Walker (SO 4*)
DT: Williams (JR TE 3*), Arnold (SO 3*)
DE: Garrett (FR 5*), Hall (SO 4*)
LB: Alaka (FR 4*), Baggs (SR 3*)
LB: Walker (FR 4*), Mastrogiovanni (SO 3*)
CB: Everett (SR 3*), Harvey (FR 4*)
S: Watts (FR 4*), Raven (SR 4*)
S: Matthews (SR 4*), Wilson (SO 3*)
CB: Harris (JR 4*), Garner (SO 4*)
NB: Burns (JR 3*), Sezer (SO 3*)

5 star - 1
4 star - 12
3 star - 9

The difference isn't raw talent, at least not a 100+ ranking difference.

There are two differences:

1. Upperclass depth. LSU has 7 upperclass starters and 9 upperclassmen in the two deep. A&M has 6 upperclass starters and 8 total upperclassmen in the two deep.

2. Coaching and scheme. If you were to give Chavis A&M's defensive roster and Snyder LSU's defensive roster, the results would be similar, if not the same.