LSU Football: 3 Takeaways from the Magnolia Bowl win vs. Ole Miss
By Shelbie Warr
![AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 15: Derrick Dillon #19 of the LSU Tigers reacts after taking a reception in for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 15: Derrick Dillon #19 of the LSU Tigers reacts after taking a reception in for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/fee4d549e3b9692e045c876016846699eebe75119beaa48e8aaae259e37a0f05.jpg)
2. The Rebels really don’t have a strong defense. The Tigers do.
We were already aware of both of these facts, but it was simply proven without a shadow of a doubt that the difference between these two teams isn’t an offensive issue, it is a defense issue and it is a huge difference.
The Rebels have been gashed by everyone they have played so far this season and it doesn’t seem as if it’ll get any better anytime soon. As it stands right now, unless Matt Luke starts doing some serious recruiting, it won’t be getting better for 2019 for sure. This team recruits on the offensive side of the ball like no other, but it doesn’t mean much when your defense can’t keep up.
On the other side, it is the LSU defense- to a point- that has brought them to the No. 5 spot in the rankings. They win this one, 45-16. It isn’t exactly the score that the Tigers wanted, as I’m sure they wanted to run it up even more, especially against a team with such a bad defense. However, the Tigers defense did hold Jordan Ta’amu and company down from the first snap. The Rebels have quite the offense, no one can take that away from them.
LSU has a strong offense and defense. Ole Miss has a decent offense, staring AJ Brown and DK Metcalf who were both shaken up tonight, and a non-existent defense. Like I always say, defense wins championships and as a result, LSU is sitting near the top of the SEC and Ole Miss continues to trend further and further down as the season continues on.