Breaking: DBU has good DB’s

The most surprising part of LSU’s 2019 Defense is that through three games, and 100 pass attempts, it has yet to intercept a pass.

But that doesn’t mean that you want to throw at this defense. LSU has adopted the moniker “DBU” for the number of defensive backs it’s put in the NFL, and this unit lives up to the name. It may not have an interception, but this unit has broken up 15 passes this season — four apiece by starting cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Derek Stingley. The latter may be a true freshman; he was also the #1 overall recruit in the Class of 2019. Starting safety Grant Delpit is one of the SEC’s best, and JaCoby Stevens rounds out what is probably one of the nation’s top secondaries.

Which is not to say that LSU is lacking up front. The Tigers run a 3-4 defense, and they’ve got some beef on the defensive line with 297-pound Glen Logan, 308-pound Rashard Lawrence, and 346-pound (!) nose guard Tyler Shelvin. The linebacking corps is solid as well. Junior Jacob Phillips is the team’s leading tackler through three games, and Michael Divinity and K’Lavon Chaisson are solid contributors as well.

Even with Texas getting some points (38, to be exact) on the LSU defense, the overall numbers look strong this season. It’s a unit that’s allowing 18.3 points per game and a paltry 4.6 yards per play. (Effectively, Georgia Southern balances out Texas here.) This is going to be a challenge for Vanderbilt’s offense.