The LSU football defense hopes to put its identity on film this weekend

Oftentimes, you learn the most about a team when they’re at their lowest. Technically, coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers have a winning record, sitting at 3-2, but they’re falling quickly and are in danger of falling out of the top 25 this weekend. However, they haven’t given up yet, as defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo and the LSU football defense hope to step up this Saturday vs. Missouri.

LSU and Missouri will kick off at 11 a.m. on ESPN in Columbia pic.twitter.com/CY3Jb5Hwie

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 25, 2023

The LSU football defense has an opportunity to flex its identity this weekend vs. Missouri

When you play in the SEC, you’re bound to face plenty of high-powered offenses. While that can be a good thing, it can also be a very bad thing if your defense has any holes.

For the LSU football defense, it’s proven to be the latter, as they’ve gotten exposed severely several times this season. In turn, the Tiger defense ranks among the worst in the country.

Still, they aren’t waving the white flag yet. Earlier this week, junior defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo spoke with the media and sounded confident in the energy the group’s displayed in practice this week.

“If we practice well, I think it will translate over to the game,” Wingo said. “And guys seemed really focused today, so now we have to build on that and have another great day tomorrow and really start focusing up and locking in for the game.”

Focus and intensity are something coach Brian Kelly has yet to see from his defense much up to this point in 2023. There’s plenty of talent, but the pieces haven’t fit together for whatever reason.

Regardless, if you ask the team, they still have high expectations for themselves and expect to win every week.

“We come into every game hoping to win, and this is definitely going to be a statement game for us,” the junior defensive tackle continued. “One that we really want to win after coming off a loss like that. And just really putting our identity on film and showing who we really are.”

There’s a winning standard when you play for LSU. So far, in 2023, the team hasn’t played up to that standard.

With another challenge coming up this weekend vs. Missouri, it’s time to show up for the Tiger defense.

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