LSU is off to a disappointing 1-2 start and a major reason is because of its defense. LSU allowed 44 points to Mississippi State and 45 points to Missouri in its 2 losses.

The LSU defense has given up just over 380 passing yards per game and opponents are converting third downs at a 47% clip (20-of-43).

However, while many are writing off the LSU defense, LB Jabril Cox told the media he believes the unit can turn things around. The LSU defense is motivated to prove that defensive coordinator Bo Pelini was the correct choice to replace Dave Aranda.

“We know at the end of the day it’s not the scheme or how Coach Bo (Pelini) gives it to us, it’s us giving 100%. We haven’t played close to the LSU standard,” Cox said in a quote transcribed by The Advocate’s Scott Rabalais. “We’ve taken it on ourselves to show Coach Bo is a great coach and the scheme really works.”

Cox has been one of the lone bright spots, amassing 21 tackles, a sack and a pick-six. Cox identifies the key areas of improvement for the LSU defense:

“We need to fix up tackling, wrapping up better, stopping them at the line of scrimmage and not letting them get into the secondary,” Cox said in a quote transcribed by Inside The Tigers’ Harrison Valentine.

Regardless of the outside noise, the LSU defense is determined to play to its full potential, beginning on Saturday vs. visiting South Carolina.

“We know there are a lot of naysayers out there, kicking us when we’re down. But we’re staying together as a defense, working each day,” Cox said in a quote transcribed by The Advocate’s Scott Rabalais. “We want to show everyone we really are LSU and can play to that standard.”