1. The front seven is improving
Yes, it was Louisiana not LSU. The Landshark defense, as it has been recently rechristened, has some work to do before they belong in the same conversation as Alabama and LSU, but their performance on Saturday was one of the best they’ve put together this season. The Rebels finished with three sacks, seven quarterback hurries and a forced fumble against the Ragin’ Cajuns.
It was the front seven that led the way. Linebackers Taylor Poke and DeMarquis Gates were flying to the football. They combined for 11 of the team’s 61 tackles. Defensive end Breeland Speaks might have had the best day of them all. He picked up five tackles, one sack and two quarterback hurries. He’s slowly turning into the player that the Rebels’ had hoped he would be entering the season.
There’s more work to be done and an offense that ranks among the worst in the FBS is naturally going to help any team get their numbers up. But it was encouraging to see Ole Miss hold Louisiana to 22 points after surrendering 27 points or more in all of their previous eight games.