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Brian Kelly shares where LSU will be improved on defense in 2023
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Brian Kelly believes No. 5 LSU will transform into a clutch defensive unit during his second season at the helm in Baton Rouge.
LSU ranked No. 34 nationally in points per game allowed (22.5) last season. Kelly envisions an even stingier defense in 2023 because of internal improvements made at linebacker, defensive tackle, and safety.
Kelly thinks those strides will result in forcing more critical stops on third downs, which will preserve the energy of the defense.
“I think what you’ll see more than anything is that we will get off the field on third down,” Kelly told ESPN’s Chris Low. “We couldn’t last year and it limited our possessions.”
Brian Kelly told me he thinks @LSUfootball will be better up the middle on defense at LB and DT in 2023 and also improved at safety. “I think what you’ll see more than anything is that we will get off the field on third down. We couldn’t last year and it limited our possessions.”
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) August 22, 2023
LSU will get an intriguing litmus test of that in the regular season opener in Orlando vs. No. 8 Florida State. The explosive Seminoles averaged 36.1 points per game (16th nationally) last season.
Florida State leads the all-time series 8-2 with 5 straight wins vs. LSU. LSU’s last victory vs. Florida State occurred in 1982. A bolstered defense could go a long ways towards snapping that skid.
