Lane Kiffin was asked about Alabama’s stable of wide receivers.
His answer was telling.
“Well, first our pass rush needs to control their lanes, and not let them take off and make plays,” Kiffin said during Monday’s news conference. “I don’t think it’s any secret. You got to cover guys so guys can’t get in rhythm and then let our pass rush and our crowd go to work.”
The LSU head coach mentioned the pass rush twice and the crowd in an answer about running with wide receivers. That could convey a slight lack of confidence in LSU’s ability to cover.
Perhaps it was just an emphasis on the importance of the controlled rush against Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell, who has run for five touchdowns this season, including a winding 56-yard jaunt against Florida State.
Russell leads the Crimson Tide with 404 rushing yards. Sacks detract from that number, but as far as picking up yards on the ground, Russell does it more effectively than the Tide running backs.
Ryan Coleman-Williams, Rico Scott and Lotzeir Brooks are the most electrifying playmakers on the Alabama roster, though. DBU has its hands full in down-the-field coverage as Alabama invades Tiger Stadium on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, the DaShawn (Spears’) injury, I mean, we had great versatility of moving people and really with Ty (Benefield) being such a unique safety, and DaShawn’s size that he can go back and play the back end as well as nickel, and those guys could move,” Kiffin said. “We’re still playing really good, but why we were playing so great on defense before the injuries with Whit (Weeks) and DaShawn, because there was so much length and versatility in the secondary.”
The Tigers still rank third in the SEC in passing defense and are tied with Tennessee for the fewest passing touchdowns allowed at four.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss had half of those in one quarter in Oxford.
The coaching staff challenged LSU cornerback DJ Pickett this year, and the sophomore has responded. He will be tasked with handling one side of the field.
“I’m proud of how he’s played the last couple weeks,” Kiffin said. “He’s improved. Everybody wants to tell him he’s so great because he was freshman All-American and he looks great in the uniform. You need to play more physical if you want to be one of the best ones in the country. And he did that.
“He’s done that in coverage. He’s done that in tackling the way he’s come up. And so, I’m proud of how he’s improved for a guy that’s only played the position for a couple years. And he’s got a really bright future ahead of him of even improving more, which is great.”
LSU’s defense has limited long passing plays all season. Only 15 teams in the country have allowed fewer 20-plus-yard receptions. Only 12 have more than Alabama’s offense.
Russell has completed 22 of 38 (58%) of his throws that have traveled 20 yards in the air. Pro Football Focus grades him a sparkling 94.2 on long throws. When kept clean in the pocket this year, Russell has earned a 90.9 passing grade. That dips to 56.9 when he’s pressured.
Kiffin’s initial sentiment might be correct. More than coverage, it might come down to the pass rush.
