Back to the Alabama Crimson Tide Newsfeed

Previewing Alabama vs. LSU: The Tiger defense

They are what they've always been: physical, aggressive and talented. Prepare for a battle.

The rumors of the demise of the Tiger defense, unfortunately for Alabama, have been greatly exaggerated.

When legendary SEC defensive coordinator John "Chief" Chavis left LSU for the supposed greener pastures of division rival Texas A&M, many projected that the Tiger defense would lapse into mediocrity despite a roster loaded with four- and five-star talent. As Chavis' heir, LSU head coach Les Miles selected former Bama assistant and Clemson defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, whose last performance as a DeCo was Clemson's shellacking in the 2012 Orange Bowl, an outing in which the Clemson D ceded a whopping 70 points to the Mountaineers.