Rebels defense big concern for LSU

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 19, 2009

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With Ole Miss coming off another explosive offensive performance and arguably its best game of the season in general, it’s understandable that the Rebels offense and speedy Dexter McCluster have gotten a huge amount of attention this week.

That’s left the Ole Miss defense lingering in the shadows, but LSU’s offensive players who are charged with figuring out how to move the ball Saturday are aware of how stout the Rebels are on that side of the ball.

Ole Miss enters the game ranked fifth in the SEC in total defense (313 yards allowed per game) and fourth in scoring defense (15.9 points per game).

Digging a little deeper illustrates exactly how good the Rebels defense has been.

-- Five opponents have been limited to less than 300 total yards, four in SEC play (Arkansas, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Tennessee).

-- Ole Miss leads the league in third-down defense, limiting foes to a 26.8 per cent conversion rate.

-- The Rebels pace the SEC with 72 tackles for loss, and rank third with 26 sacks and opponent first downs (159).

-- Producing points in the red zone has been a problem for opponents. Ole Miss has given up only 10 touchdowns in 33 red-zone trips by foes, 14 field goals, and the Rebels have forced four turnovers.

LSU doesn’t need all those numbers to be convinced. All the Tigers have to do is flash back to last season.

In a 31-13 loss at Tiger Stadium last Nov. 22, LSU was limited to 215 total yards by Ole Miss. Until this season’s 13-3 loss to Florida, the yardage and point total were the Tigers’ puniest outputs at home under fifth-year coach Les Miles.

“We had a better offense last year than we do now, and they really shut us down,” LSU left guard Lyle Hitt said. “They have some great athletes over there on that side of the ball. They came to play, and we didn’t play up to our level last season. We can’t let that happen again.”

Injury report

Miles said the three injured offensive starters who missed last week’s game, including quarterback Jordan Jefferson are on schedule to return to the lineup Saturday.