LSU is rolling into Saturday’s showdown with Alabama with confidence, and Ty Benefield has been one of the voices backing that up.
The No. 14 Tigers host No.
5 Alabama at 2:30 p.m. on ABC, carrying a 6-2 record and a 3-2 mark in the Southeastern Conference into what shapes up as their toughest test yet. Over the last few weeks, LSU has looked like a different team than the one that stumbled in a 35-34 loss to Kentucky in Week 6.
Since then, the Tigers have put together consecutive conference blowouts, blanking Mississippi State 31-0 and then handling Auburn 38-17.
That surge came right before the bye week, which Lane Kiffin reportedly wasn’t thrilled about. Benefield, though, said the break didn’t slow the group down.
“I feel like we’re getting better and better each week,” Benefield said. “Obviously there’s always going to be things to work on, and the thing about this team is nobody’s satisfied.”
There’s plenty for LSU to like right now. The Tigers are the only team in the country ranked in the top 10 in both total offense and total defense, sitting No. 6 in total offense at 510 yards per game and No. 4 in total defense at 258.1 yards allowed per game. They’ve scored at least 30 points in all but one game and are averaging 40.1 points, which ranks No. 7 nationally.
The defense has been just as sharp, giving up only 16 points per game, good for No. 16 in the nation, while dealing with major injuries early in the year. Benefield shifted from starting safety to STAR after Dashawn Spears tore his ACL, and linebacker Davhon Kays filled in for Whit Weeks after Weeks suffered a fractured fibula.
Both players have responded well in their new spots. Kays is second on the team with 43 tackles, along with four tackles for loss and two sacks, while Benefield has 33 tackles, two sacks, one interception and two pass break-ups.
“I try my hardest, and I give my best effort, but honestly, I couldn’t do it without Jhase Thomas and and Tamarcus Cooley communicating and playing at a very high level because there’s times where I can help make them look good and they can help me look good,”
Thomas, a redshirt freshman, stepped into a starting safety role after Benefield moved closer to the line. Along with Cooley, he has helped stabilize a secondary that is giving up just 172.8 passing yards per game, which ranks No. 13 nationally. The back end has been strong, but LSU’s coverage success hasn’t been limited to the safeties.
Dj Pickett and PJ Woodland have given the Tigers two corners who have been difficult to beat. Benefield was especially complimentary of Pickett.
“DJ is just a total package in corner,” Benefield said. “Both the corners are just amazing at what they do.”
The two corners get the job done in different ways. Each has seven pass break-ups, and neither has allowed a reception rate above 60%, according to Pro Football Focus.
Woodland, at 5-foot-11 and 172 pounds, wins with physical play despite being undersized by today’s standards. Pickett, listed at 6-4 and 196 pounds, uses his frame and recovery speed to blanket receivers, and Benefield said the sophomore is becoming even more forceful.
“He’s getting more physical,” Benefield said of the sophomore, “which is funny because you get into November football and usually people’s bodies are hurting, but with DJ, he’s getting bigger hits throughout each week.”
Now comes the real stress test. Alabama brings one of the SEC’s most dangerous offenses into Tiger Stadium, and LSU’s secondary will be under the microscope.
The Tigers’ two losses came against the only top-25 teams they’ve faced, Kentucky at No. 6 and Ole Miss at No. 10, and both defeats featured defensive breakdowns. LSU allowed 363 passing yards against Kentucky and 243 against Ole Miss.
The Crimson Tide arrive with a potent attack of their own. They rank third in the SEC in scoring at 38.25 points per game and third in passing offense at 260 yards per game. Their run game has been less consistent over the last two weeks because of personnel changes on the offensive line, but the passing game still gives them plenty of options.
“They’re an overall good team,” Benefield said. “They’re sound, physical; they play fast.”
Alabama may also get a boost from Ryan Coleman-Williams, who is questionable on the Initial SEC Availability Report after missing the last two games with a knee injury. Before getting hurt, he led the Tide with 23 catches for 415 yards and four touchdowns.
If he doesn’t go, Alabama still has enough firepower for quarterback Keelon Russell to work with. Lotzeir Brooks has 29 receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown, while Rico Scott has 28 catches for 434 yards and three scores.
Benefield isn’t backing away from the challenge. The Boise State transfer said games like this are exactly why he came to LSU.
“SEC football is fun because you play against the best every week, and there’s never a time where you’ll go into a game thinking this is just an easy game,” he said. “No, you’re going to get somebody’s best, and you’re getting the best in the nation.
So, it’s awesome. I wouldn’t trade it for anything - best decision I’ve made.
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