Four Players on LSU's Defense that need to have a great performance this weekend

This weekend, the emerging LSU defense that has gotten better week over week will need to take another step forward against a unique challenge. While most teams have adopted the high flying offense, Texas A&M is looking to wear its opponent out by running the football early on and throughout the game. Given how unique Texas A&M is as an opponent, these four players will need to step up for LSU if the Tigers are going to win this weekend.

Paris Shand - Defensive Line

Given how LSU refused to pay top dollar for defensive tackles in the transfer portal (rightfully so), it was a massive concern when Jacobian Guillory went down for the season with a torn achilles. One of the players who has stepped up in his absence has been Paris Shand who's a traditional defensive end.

This weekend, LSU is facing a team that wants to run early and often rather than passing for explosive plays like most in the Country do. Paris Shand would need to step up to begin with but, Texas A&M's starting left guard Chase Bisontis will miss this game with a lower leg injury meaning the Tigers have to win against his backup.

The Aggies average 5.4 yards per carry and if they have similar success on the ground this will be a tough game for LSU. The Tigers need to stuff the Aggies on early downs to force them into passing situations where they haven't had much success.

Whit Weeks and Greg Penn III - Linebackers

We just talked about how successful A&M is running the football and how it has become the Aggies identity but, slowing the run game doesn't start and end with the defensive line. The past two weeks have been the emergence of Whit Weeks as the linebacker is slowly turning into a household name in College Football.

Over the past two weeks, Greg Penn III has been just as impressive but, it has been more quiet. Over the last two weeks, Penn has racked up 15 tackles, half a sack, and a forced fumble while closing run gaps quickly. The veteran is putting together one of his best stretches of his career but, performing in a game that means this much is legacy defining.

If LSU is going to shut down Texas A&M's run game it'll require massive performances out of Penn and Weeks once again. The two players have a ton of responsibility with Harold Perkins out for the season and if they can be the heart beat of this defense once more, LSU will come away with a massive win.

Bradyn Swinson - Edge Rusher

Everything we've said about Texas A&M's run game applies to Swinson but, in the fact that he'll be responsible for setting a solid edge preventing LeVeon Moss from bouncing runs outside for massive chunk plays. Last week, Swinson only had two tackles, a number that will need to be higher in a game this important.

Where Swinson needs to have his biggest impact is whenever Texas A&M does decide to put the ball in the hands of Conner Weigman. Trey Zuhn III who Swinson will match up against hasn't allowed a sack or a quarterback pressure this season and if that stat holds again this weekend, LSU may be in trouble. Swinson has started talking the talk but, he'll need to walk the walk this weekend.

Swinson started the year off in dominant fashion but, if he's going to break Arden Key's single season sack record, he'll need to step up this weekend. The Aggies will likely help out whoever has to block Swinson but, if he doesn't win when he gets the rare one on one matchup LSU will be in trouble.

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