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The next weeks for the LSU Tigers need to be about developing the young defensive backs

By Nicholas Rome

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) is pressured by LSU Tigers safety Major Burns (8) and tight end Gabe Leonards (85) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) is pressured by LSU Tigers safety Major Burns (8) and tight end Gabe Leonards (85) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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On Sunday, LSU's defense showed up for the most part only allowing Lincoln Riley's high powered USC offense to score 27 points. Overall, it was a solid showing and you have to come away from that game feeling like Brian Kelly made the right hires on the defensive staff. The front seven played really well but, the secondary is still the clear weakness of the team.

The newer starters showed a ton of promise as Ashton Stamps made some solid plays while also taking some lumps. The same can be said for Jordan Allen who was practically playing his first college snaps.

The youth movement shouldn't stop there with Corey Raymond and Jake Olsen in this secondary. The veteran defensive backs really haven't developed much under either snaps and that was pretty clear on Sunday night.

On the final drive of the night, Sage Ryan clearly didn't jam Kyron Hudson allowing him to put the Trojans into field goal range and since Hudson was so wide open, Jardin Gilbert had to go all out and he ended up taking a targeting penalty which sealed the game.

Major Burns was a massive factor in USC scoring their touchdown to go up 20-17 as he jumped offsides and gave Miller Moss a free play where he threw a go ball that just beat Ashton Stamps.

Ryan's struggles led to true freshman PJ Woodland getting some playing time and he showed a ton especially after taking a pass interference penalty and coming back the next play and making a pass breakup. The next few weeks, Woodland needs to continue to get reps to build for when LSU faces offenses like Ole Miss and Alabama.

We even saw Kylin Jackson in this game getting some playing time in the dime package and he's a player that needs to see more playing time. This summer Jackson was a standout at the Star position and if Major Burns wasn't one of this teams elder statesmen, Jackson would've likely started game one.

The penalty on Jardin Gilbert was a result of Ryan's mistake but, he still didn't stand out as a positive for LSU. The Tigers have a true freshman in Dashawn Spears who has done nothing but, impress since he stepped onto campus. In the spring, Spears looked like a ballhawk and this defense could certainly use a player that can help in creating takeaways.

All about ironing out the wrinkles these next few weeks

On paper, the LSU Football team won't truly have a test until the host Ole Miss in over a month from now. While you'd like if the Tigers faced a little more resistance, this is exactly what the team and it's two new coordinators need as LSU continues to build. These next few weeks are all about smoothing out the bumps and getting as many players as possible ready to contribute when the schedule hits it's toughest portion.

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