hmm. I was wrong. LSU didn't finish the season 8th in the SEC in total defense

Total Defense

Last updated January 14, 2020 - Through games January 13, 2020

1 Ohio St. 14 881 3636 4.13 23 23 259.7
2 Utah 14 813 3769 4.64 25 25 269.2
3 Georgia 14 900 3860 4.29 18 20 275.7
4 Wisconsin 14 839 4020 4.79 29 30 287.1
5 San Diego St. 13 804 3741 4.65 18 19 287.8
6 Clemson 15 970 4325 4.46 24 24 288.3
7 Buffalo 13 780 3795 4.87 33 35 291.9
8 UAB 14 897 4226 4.71 35 38 301.9
9 Florida 13 809 3963 4.90 23 23 304.8
10 Minnesota 13 787 3986 5.06 32 37 306.6
11 Michigan 13 846 3994 4.72 36 37 307.2
12 Iowa 13 835 4007 4.80 20 21 308.2
13 Miami (FL) 13 849 4028 4.74 29 30 309.8
14 Missouri 12 771 3744 4.86 27 28 312.0
15 Pittsburgh 13 905 4068 4.50 31 33 312.9
16 Navy 13 777 4084 5.26 32 36 314.2
17 Air Force 13 752 4155 5.53 32 34 319.6
18 Michigan St. 13 843 4181 4.96 35 37 321.6
- Notre Dame 13 894 4181 4.68 25 26 321.6
20 Alabama 13 877 4218 4.81 24 26 324.5
21 Kentucky 13 796 4220 5.30 30 32 324.6
22 Oregon 14 973 4607 4.73 23 24 329.1
23 Tennessee 13 868 4348 5.01 31 34 334.5
24 Western Ky. 13 835 4361 5.22 28 32 335.5
25 Northwestern 12 796 4028 5.06 31 34 335.7
26 Appalachian St. 14 940 4705 5.01 34 35 336.1
27 TCU 12 769 4043 5.26 38 39 336.9
28 Auburn 13 905 4381 4.84 31 32 337.0
29 Texas A&M 13 842 4423 5.25 32 35 340.2
30 Army West Point 13 789 4450 5.64 37 38 342.3
31 LSU 15 1008 5153 5.11 39 42 343.5
32 UCF 13 985 4499 4.57 31 36 346.1

they finished the 9th ranked SEC defense