There is a reason college football teams do not like to see a date in Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night in the fall. Saturday night's and Tiger Stadium are the domain of the LSU Tigers football team and their legions of fans. This fall fans of the Purple and Gold may not have to wait for the LSU offense to have the ball to see scoring. New Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda suggests that the defensive side of the football will be looking to create big plays and their own scoring opportunities.

Because it's a lot of press man. The DB's are in the receivers' face, we just blitz everybody and play a man-to-man.

Those were the words of LSU Sophomore Kevin Tolliver. Tolliver and several other Tiger players spoke to the Louisiana Radio Network about the upcoming season and especially about the differences on the defensive side of the ball.

We got some phenomenal playmakers in the secondary, with Jamal (Adams), TreDavious, me, Kevin, Rickey (Jefferson) and Dwayne (Thomas). We got a lot of playmakers that can just makes plays. Just getting those guys out there and getting them where they make plays, it really don't change a lot (from last year)

Those were the comments of LSU sophomore defensive back Donte Jackson. He expects to see more playing time this fall especially if Tra'Davious White moves into a nickel position when the opponent is in a likely passing situation.

Aranda's hiring from the University of Wisconsin has really invigorated the Tiger defense. His scheme is called a 3-4 defense. This change in the primary defensive set will put some of the Tiger defenders in different positions on the field compared to last year. For example last year Corey Thompson was in the safety position. This year he will line up in an outside linebacker spot.

Thompson is hopeful the changes in the defensive strategy and an invigorated attitude will bring the Tigers and their fans the ultimate prize. That prize is a national championship.

It's pretty important, especially to a senior. I've been here five years and there are other veterans who feel we have a lot to accomplish. So we are going to make sure we are on our p's and q's and try to get a championship this year.

The current Coaches Poll has LSU ranked at number 6 in the nation. While that's pretty good, arch rival Alabama currently occupies the number 1 spot in that same poll.  The Tigers will face the Tide November 5th in Birmingham. Meanwhile the season opener for LSU will take place September 3rd when they travel to Green Bay Wisconsin and Lambeau Field to take on the Wisconsin Badgers.

 

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