Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
By Hunt Palmer
Every week in the SEC presents new challenges.
That’s especially true this week for LSU’s surging defense. The Tigers have spent the week preparing for two quarterbacks to run Lane Kiffin’s explosive offense. After passing four tests to this point, the unit understands this will be its toughest yet.
Austin Simmons started the season under center for the Rebels but injured his ankle at Kentucky in Week 2. Since then, it’s been Division 2 transfer Trinidad Chambliss who has exploded onto the scene running and passing his way to big numbers and point totals.
Both are expected to be available on Saturday, but reports suggest Chambliss will be the starter.
“You have to be prepared for both, because they’re both very good,” said senior defensive end Patrick Payton. “One can hurt you with his legs a little more, and one has a great arm. I think he’s a former baseball player. So, he can throw the ball.”
Simmons fits the later mold. He’s a southpaw with a rocket for an arm. Chambliss doesn’t possess that type of arm strength, but he’s a twitchy athlete with a ton of in-game experience. It just happens to have come at Division 2 Ferris State instead of the SEC.
Last week, Chambliss became just the fourth quarterback in Rebel history to throw for 300 yards and run for 100 more in a single game. He also has not turned the ball over yet in 62 pass attempts and 36 rushes.
LSU was able to intercept Clemson’s Cade Klubnik once and Florida’s DJ Lagway five times earlier this year.
Kiffin is known for making life easier on his quarterbacks by using motions and high-level designs to create space and big plays for his offense. Under his guidance, Ole Miss has produced exceptional offenses with Matt Corral and Jaxson Dart behind center. He did the same at Alabama with Blake Sims and Jake Coker.
Kiffin’s offense always appear in control, and the pace at which they play helps give that impression.
“Tempo is, for sure, their jump on other people,” said senior cornerback Mansoor Delane. “They try to get you tired. Or they try to get you not getting the call, whatever it is, trying to throw you off. I feel like just getting our cleats in the ground is the biggest factor this week, not really focusing on what they’re doing. Focusing on what we’re doing at a fast level. That’s the focus this week.”
Ole Miss leads the nation in explosive plays with 32 of 20-plus yards. Twenty-five of those have come through the air, that’s also tops in the FBS. LSU has done its job on that front after a leaky 2024 that saw big plays bite the Tigers especially early in the season.
The Tigers have only allowed seven pass plays of 20 yards all year, that’s 20th in the country and fourth best in the SEC.
As Delane alluded to, those chunk plays create the tempo that can become a nightmare for defenses.
“I feel like they’re a great offense because of their pace,” Payton said. “After they make a big play or a small play, they get back on the ball. And they thrive just getting in space and getting the ball to their playmakers. That’s a real good mix over there. So, we have to come in ready.”
One of LSU’s defensive strengths is its depth, especially on the defensive line. Only Bernard Gooden has played 50 percent of the season snaps at defensive tackle. A rotation of Jacobian Guillory, Ahmad Breaux, Dominick McKinley and Walter Mathis has been liberally used to keep bodies fresh. That won’t be the case if Ole Miss is allowed to use its tempo. Defensive substitutions become impossible.
If the Tigers can create incompletions and negative plays, the tempo slows down.
The Rebels rank ninth in total offense. Florida ranks 110th, and Clemson ranks 89th. This figures to be a step up in class for the No. 17 ranked total defense, but the Tigers insist they’re ready.
“I feel like we have a very confident defense,” Payton said. “We’ve got great guys at every position, the interior to the back end. We’ve got great DBs, great linebackers, great edges. I just feel like if we put it together every week focused on winning one game at a time, we’ll be okay.”
Delane was asked if the defense feels a little extra motivation this week to face an offense that has been so consistently productive over a six-year run.
“Not really,” Delane insisted. “In the SEC, we’re going to see a lot of good teams, good offenses. This is just another great challenge. Definitely a great offense, but we’re just excited to go out there and showcase our ability and prove to the world who we think we are.”
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