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Blake Baker will have LSU defense 'remedied really quickly' opposing coach believes

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•06/25/24•

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The LSU defense has plenty of room for improvement in 2024 after ranking No. 108 nationally in total defense last year. The Tigers hired Blake Baker away from Missouri this offseason to serve as the new defensive coordinator and to try to improve the unit.

Lindy’s Sports spoke with coaches who are familiar with Baker about what to expect from him at LSU. It’s safe to say that they believe Baker will be successful.

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“They changed defensive coordinators (from Matt House to Blake Baker) and I’m not sure House’s style worked. It was all over the place, a lot of exchange responsibilities. Hence, a lot of busts,” one coach said. “It’s going to be interesting (in 2024 with Baker) because it’s a major difference. Sometimes you need to cut it back, you need to simplify… But Baker is a phenomenal D-coordinator, and he should get that remedied really quickly.”

Blake Baker has an impressive resume that includes helping Missouri to an 11-win season in 2023. He previously worked at LSU as the linebackers coach in 2021.

In addition to discussing Baker, coaches also spoke with Lindy’s Sports about the LSU offense. The Tigers are losing a ton of production from last season, including Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and star receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.

Still, coaches expect the Tigers to be explosive on offense.

“LSU is kind of like Tennessee in the ‘70s and ’80s. They’re losing great receivers, but they got two coming in better than the ones they lost. And I’m talking about premier receivers, not just good ones,” a coach said.

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While LSU may still be loaded at receiver, losing Daniels is a huge blow. The Tigers do return a quarterback with experience in Garrett Nussmeier, but it’s not fair to expect him to play at the level of Jayden Daniels.

“Jayden Daniels was a phenomenal football player, a difference maker. (Garret Nussmeier) is talented, a good player, good quarterback. But it’s just different,” a coach said.

LSU is coming off of a 10-3 season in Year 2 under Brian Kelly. The Tigers reached double-digit wins in 2023, despite being poor on defense.

If the defense can take a big step forward and the offense can stay close to what it was last year, the Tigers could find themselves in the College Football Playoff this coming season.

LSU opens the 2024 season on Sunday, Sept. 1 in a marquee showdown against USC.