How LSU's linebackers prepare for Jalen Milroe, Alabama
At the heart of LSU’s defense sits two veteran linebackers who understand their expectations ahead of the biggest game of the season. Senior transfer Omar Speights and junior Greg Penn have helped the defense try to take a step forward with their communication and shared knowledge, but now it’s time to execute on the biggest stage on Saturday at 6:45 p.m. against Alabama.
Penn and Speights are in rotation with freshman Whit Weeks at the Mike and Will linebacker spots, while star sophomore Harold Perkins mans the Sam linebacker position on the outside. The defense’s struggles have been documented throughout the first half of the season, but now, it’s onto Alabama and dual threat quarterback Jalen Milroe.
“They’ve really started to get an identity for what they want to do,” GrPenn said. “Each week they’ve gotten better. Obviously with Milroe at quarterback, he’s starting to get comfortable. Their running back is a great player with good vision. Up front they have big maulers that can move you up front. Offensively it’s going to be a lot of things we have to do to stay focused and get a win.”
Milroe has the full attention of this LSU defense this week as he continues to improve as a passer to compliment his natural running ability. On the season, Milroe averages 10.6 yards per attempt to go with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. The arm strength has given this Alabama offense a big-play ability it was lacking early in the year.
The reliance on his legs has toned down this season, but his 142 yards and five touchdowns on the ground are still something LSU is weary of.
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“Good athlete and he can launch it,” Speights said. “He’s really fast and can get out of the pocket and make plays. It’s just about keeping him in the pocket and doing what we do. He looks faster than the other quarterbacks [we’ve played].”
LSU has experience against mobile quarterbacks, including Jordan Travis, KJ Jefferson, and Jaxson Dart. All three of those quarterbacks rushed for over 45 yards, each giving the Tigers’ defense fits.
“He’s similar to those guys, but he’s the fastest one we’ve [played so far],” Penn said.
With Milroe on deck, the defense is hoping to find answers and continue to improve after showing potential against Auburn and Army. Alabama is also a run-first team, but with the added passing explosiveness to contain. Still, the defense is in a better spot now than it was a few weeks ago and the hope is that it carries into Saturday’s game.
“We were detailed [the past two games], we played together as a defense, and we were flying around and playing physical,” Speights said. “Over the bye week we just focused on little things, watched a ton of film and just got a head start. It’s just taking it day by day and not making it bigger than what it is. It’s just staying the course.”
