Steve Sarkisian isn’t buying the idea that LSU’s record tells the whole story.
The Tigers are 6-3 and already have three conference losses before November is even halfway done, but Texas’ head coach sees something far more dangerous on the other side of Saturday night’s matchup in Baton Rouge. He’s not looking at a team that’s fading. He’s looking at one that can overwhelm you in a hurry.
“I can argue this is the most talented defense we’re going to go against this year that we’ve seen all year,” Sarkisian said on Monday. “And arguably the most talented team.”
That’s a strong statement, especially with Texas already having gone through a demanding schedule that included wins over four ranked opponents, two of them on the road. The Longhorns have seen plenty of pressure already, but Sarkisian believes LSU brings a different kind of problem.
The front seven is the first thing that jumps off the page. Edge rushers Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross have helped LSU pile up 36 sacks in nine games, which ranks second in the SEC behind Tennessee. Umanmielen has been one of the league’s most disruptive players, sitting second in the SEC with 8.5 sacks.
Sarkisian also singled out LSU’s secondary, and he didn’t hold back on the praise there either. He pointed to Ty Benefield and DJ Pickett as two players who can make life miserable for an offense.
Benefield, in Sarkisian’s view, is LSU’s best all-around defender. His value comes from how many different places he can line up - nickel, safety, or in a more linebacker-like role.
Pickett brings a different kind of headache. The 6-foot-4 sophomore has allowed just 43 receiving yards when targeted over his last four games, according to On3, and Sarkisian called him the best coverage corner Texas is likely to face all season.
Put it all together, and LSU looks like the kind of defense that can wreck a game plan before it ever gets rolling. That’s especially true with defensive coordinator Blake Baker dialing up an aggressive, blitz-heavy approach behind that talent.
The strange part is that LSU’s season has not always matched the profile of its roster. The Tigers have lost to Ole Miss, Kentucky and Alabama, with last week’s 31-13 defeat to the Crimson Tide serving as the latest setback.
Still, the numbers show why Sarkisian is treating this like a heavyweight challenge. In LSU’s six wins, the defense has allowed just 206.3 yards per game and produced 31 sacks. In the three losses, opponents have averaged 370.7 yards, while LSU has managed only five sacks.
Overall, the Tigers are giving up 261.1 yards per game, including 176.4 through the air, and they’ve held opposing rushing attacks under 85 yards per contest.
For Texas, the most obvious battle is up front. The Longhorns will have to keep LSU’s pass rush from taking over, especially against an offensive line that has had trouble protecting Arch Manning this season.
Sarkisian has stressed the same themes all along: avoid negative plays, protect the football and finish drives. Against a defense with this much talent, the usual mistakes Texas has sometimes survived could become much more expensive.
So yes, LSU has three losses. Sarkisian just isn’t treating that as a warning sign of weakness.
In Other News...
Texas LSU Trip Suddenly Puts Saturday Night Plans In Doubt
A nationwide ground stop from the Federal Aviation Administration threw a wrench into Saturday travel plans across college football, and Texas was among the teams caught in the disruption. The Longhorns had their flight grounded, and the program confirmed the team was sent back to campus as the situation unfolded.
The delays also affected Tennessee, Ole Miss, Baylor and North Texas, leaving several programs waiting to see how the day will shake out. For Texas, the immediate question is whether the travel snag will have any impact on the scheduled game, with that part of the picture still unclear for now. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Is About To Give Texas An Early Reality Check
Sean Miller is treating Baylor as more than just another early nonconference opponent, and for good reason. The Texas coach said these first tests matter because they help shape a teams identity, and this one should tell the Longhorns plenty about where they stand. Baylor brings the kind of challenge that can expose bad habits in a hurry, with physical rebounding and pressure defense expected to set the tone.
For Texas, the matchup also carries a little extra edge after Davis Punch pointed to it as a chance for redemption following the preseason scrimmage loss to St. Johns. Baylors backcourt, led by guards Kayden and Dylan Mingo, figures to keep the Longhorns under stress from the opening tip, making this the kind of game that can either validate Texas early progress or leave it with more questions than answers. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Faces A Late-Season CFP Test It Cannot Afford To Blow
With the College Football Playoff race tightening and every ranked matchup carrying extra weight, Texas finds itself in the middle of a weekend that could reshape the bracket picture. The Longhorns are part of a slate that also features Boise State, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Florida and UCLA, with injury concerns and recent results adding even more pressure to games that already matter for postseason positioning.
For Texas, the broader backdrop is simple enough: there is little room for error now, and the ripple effects of what happens elsewhere could matter just as much as what happens on the field. Coaches are already framing these late-season tests as the kind that reveal who can handle the moment, and the Longhorns will be watching closely as the CFP conversation gets sharper by the week. [Read more 🡒]