PALMER: Saturday’s loss revealed LSU has issues to clean up on defense

By Hunt Palmer

Lane Kiffin has work to do.

Nothing that happened Saturday night in a loss to Houston cemented that. It was obvious before Barion Brown went streaking down the NRG sideline on the game’s opening kickoff.

This was a 7-6 roster. New blood is necessary. Where that new blood shows up becomes the more fascinating question.

Massive overhauls are coming to the LSU offensive line, quarterback situation, running back room and offensive scheme. The LSU offense was broken in 2025, and fixing that is paramount for this new offensive brain trust Kiffin heads up.

The next wave of Tiger defenders got its chance to play a middling Houston offense in the Texas Bowl, and that group wilted in the moment.

“Next man up” is a football mantra when it comes to injuries. The issue, more often than not, is that the next man isn’t as good. It’s why the other guy plays first and more often.

Without Jack Pyburn and Bernard Gooden up front, LSU got pushed around by the Cougars.

Without Whit Weeks, West Weeks and Harold Perkins in the middle, Houston gashed the Tigers for 201 yards on the ground and 5.3 yards per carry on the ground after halftime.

Without Mansoor Delane and AJ Haulcy roaming the secondary, Conner Weigman and his pass catchers connected on 75 percent of their passes for four touchdowns. LSU on broke up two throws, and one of those came from Keys at linebacker.

Houston marched for five touchdown drives of over 72 yards and controlled the clock from start to finish.

Any thought that the returning defensive personnel was good enough was challenged at minimum on Saturday and perhaps completely debunked.

DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland had great seasons. Pickett struggled on Saturday. That’s of almost no concern. Slow linebacker reads and a complete lack of pressure on Weigman are bigger issues.

Kiffin and general manager Billy Glasscock have to allocate financial resources for next year’s roster over the next three weeks.

The offense needs a lot.

Four young linemen have announced they’re entering the portal, and Josh Thompson is out of eligibility. Braelin Moore could leave. Overhaul would be understating the changes that have to be made up front.

If Caden Durham enters the portal, which has been rumored, Harlem Berry could be the only back on the roster. And Kewan Lacy won’t come cheap.

Trey’Dez Green and Kyle Parker were great Saturday. A proven pass catching option is probably coming in addition to the young wide outs on the roster who should get a strong look in the spring.

But the defense is going to need veteran help. It can’t be neglected.

Kiffin said on the LSU Sports Radio Network broadcast that getting Whit Weeks back would be a priority. Pickett, Woodland, Tamarcus Cooley and Dashawn Spears set a solid baseline in the secondary.

The defensive front needs an overhaul that nearly mirrors the offensive line.

The next three weeks will ultimately shape LSU’s first Kiffin-era team. He has to avoid the mistake Brian Kelly and Austin Thomas made in paying up for too many pass catchers and neglecting offensive tackle. The portal is not just about acquiring talent, it’s more so about filling needs.

LSU’s young returning defenders are going to have to watch the film from Saturday’s loss in the offseason. When there are new veteran players in the room for the meeting, the film will reveal why.

Changes are coming quickly, and it’s not just on offense.