LSU, Alabama gearing up to stop offenses

Alabama and LSU still play defense, too.

Overshadowed by prolific offenses and star quarterbacks, both defenses still have NFL talent, playmakers and rising stars.

Something will have to give when the top-ranked Tigers visit No. 2 Alabama next Nov. 9 following open dates for both squads.

The teams each have battled injuries in the front seven while replacing stars now in the NFL. They also have standout freshmen, like LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and Alabama nose guard DJ Dale.

The Crimson Tide have especially relied on young talent; six freshmen have logged starts on defense for Alabama, the most of any FBS team.

That didn’t stop LSU coach Ed Orgeron from declaring it “another great Nick Saban defense.”

If not great, it’s become quite good. The Tide ranks second in the SEC in scoring defense and pass defense and third in total yards allowed per game.

Linebacker Terrell Lewis has emerged as one of the Southeastern Conference’s top pass rushers. Cornerback Trevon Diggs has scored defensive touchdowns in each of the past two games. And those freshmen aren’t doing so badly either.

Alabama’s defense has dominated in its past two games, albeit against two of the league’s worst offenses in Tennessee and Arkansas. With the status of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (ankle) uncertain, the defenders could have to deliver big again against a much more challenging offense led by Joe Burrow.

“We have taken a huge step from the first game,” Tide cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. said. “We know we needed some things to work on from this point. We’ve (cut down) a large amount of defensive errors we’ve made and we’ve communicated better and we’re just flying around to the ball.”

LSU, meanwhile, is fourth in total defense and second against the run. The Tigers appear to have made significant strides since allowing 38 points against Vanderbilt.