Before this season most people were talking about how much it helps that the offense has a season of experience under head coach Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee's system, but through the first four games the defense has shown improvements each game because of their knowledge in the second season of defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson's system.
According to Johnson, the defense played aggressively last year but the main difference he has seen thus far this season is his team knowing exactly what they're doing on the field, whether that's lining up in the correct alignment or their ability to make the necessary halftime adjustments.
"Obviously confusion causes hesitation and last year we were new to the system and maybe tried to do too much early," Johnson said. "We had a lot of players who couldn't pull the trigger and weren't sure of what to do. So it wasn't lack of aggression, it was more of a lack of knowledge."
Johnson also said that his defense has become more comfortable as a result of being in the second year of the system, which has contributed a lot to them playing faster.
The biggest adjustment that Johnson's defense has been able to respond successfully to is their ability to contain opposing rushing offenses. Since the first half of the Arkansas game the defense has responded by only allowing an impressive 212 rushing yards in seven halves of play.
But the main aspect that Johnson wants to see the defense improve upon is their four-man pass rush of hoping to get to the quarterback more.
"I think we're starting to find how we're going to have to do it," Johnson said. "I don't feel like we're any closer to developing a really good four-man pass rush. We're still trying to find that right combination. It's an area that's got to keep improving."
Other than specific plays that the defense needs to improve on, Johnson has been impressed with the No. 1 defensive line prospect out of junior college last year, DaVonte Lambert.
"The last two games DaVonte has really been a lot better," Johnson said. "He had some production before but I think he's consistent now. Even when he's not making a big play, his alignment, his technique, his separation off the block and his run game have all gotten a lot better. He has gotten sharp and is playing at a really good level right now."
According to Lambert, he feels really good about going in and playing against a strong LSU team that is fueled by their powerful rushing attack.
"It helps knowing that our defense can stand up to a tough run," Lambert said. "We made plays and we stopped (Arkansas). When a team (like LSU) comes in with a great running game we know that we have a good game plan to stop them."
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