LSU Football: Rapid reactions from defense-less win at No. 21 Missouri

LSU football went to Columbia and got a victory over Missouri on Saturday but with very little help from the defense.

The Tigers did seal the victory with a Major Burns pick-six to extend the lead to double-digits, but not before putting together another overwhelmingly porous performance.

It was a 500-plus-yard day for Missouri’s offense. Brady Cook threw for 411 yards and two touchdowns, and Missouri rushed for 116 yards, 5.5 per carry, and three scores.

These are numbers that would typically look pretty gaudy, but against this LSU defense, they just seem normal.

A disturbing trend is now the norm

In five games against Power Five opponents, the Tigers have now allowed at least 30 points on four occasions. The question, “When will LSU’s defense figure it out,” has an answer: it won’t.

When a defense concedes 55 points and 706 yards of offense to Ole Miss, including 317 on the ground, it has problems that won’t be solved with midseason tweaks.

Matt House’s defense has been abysmal in 2023. Entering Saturday’s matchup with Mizzou, the Bayou Bengals ranked 114th in opponent points per game, 116th in opponent yards per play, 127th in opponent third-down conversion rate, and 126th in opponent red zone scoring rate.

Saturday’s performance showed no indication that any of those stats will improve. Unless a miracle occurs, the problems with this defense will only be fixed via coaching changes and the transfer portal, and that won’t manifest anything until 2024.

Wasted opportunity

It’s a shame that LSU’s defense is so porous because the offense is once again special. Jayden Daniels has been tremendous this season and has consistently kept the Tigers in games that the defense has tried its hardest to give away.

Daniels was awesome Saturday, throwing for 259 yards and three touchdowns, and adding 130 yards and a score on the ground.

LSU may have won the battle on Saturday, but their chances of winning the war in the SEC feel like they are dwindling. Can a team be expected to beat Alabama or Georgia when it’s guaranteed to give up at least 30 points on a weekly basis?