LSU vs. USC: Which defense is set to improve the most under first-year DC?

When LSU and USC meet on Sunday night, both will he hoping for major defensive turnarounds.

Both programs struggled to get stops last year, leaving them out of contention despite having Heisman winners at quarterback.

Brian Kelly and Lincoln Riley were hired to bring these respective schools to the College Football Playoff. With that in mind, both swung big for an up-and-coming DC. LSU hired Blake Baker away from Missouri while USC went with D’Anton Lynn from UCLA.

Coaching wasn’t the only thing holding the units back in 2023. Both relied on underclassmen and the inexperience was evident. The upside to playing so many young guys is the amount of returning experience. LSU and USC rank in the top 35 in returning production on that side of the ball.

The Trojans took a slightly different approach with their rebuild, landing a slew of transfers in the secondary. LSU dipped in the portal too, but didn’t land the high profile names USC did.

Lynn brought two high-profile defensive backs from UCLA in John Humphrey and Kamari Ramsey. The proximity of UCLA to USC and familiarity with Lynn’s system ensures little adjustment for the duo.

Veterans Akili Arnold and DeCarlos Richardson provide experience on the backend, too.

Meanwhile, LSU is counting on homegrown talent to perform in the secondary. Ashton Stamps is expected to be CB1 after seeing plenty of action as a true freshman. Veterans Major Burns and Sage Ryan need to make a big impact too after steadily improving in 2023.

Both hit the portal to shore up depth on the interior defensive line and return a good bit at linebacker.

As for who makes the biggest stride in year one, it could be USC, if only because the Trojans have more room to go.

USC’s defense finished 2023 ranked 105th in SP+ while LSU was 52nd. It’s a lot easier to jump from 100 to 50 than it is from 50 to 10.

But when it matters, I think LSU has a better shot at consistent play on defense. The Tigers’ overall talent level is better, especially when you consider LSU’s upside at defensive end and linebacker.

Lynn has a year or two to build his unit while LSU is expecting a playoff appearance in 2023. Baker has the tools to call his aggressive style of defense in Baton Rouge.

I think LSU’s choice to build from within was indicative of how much this coaching staff believes in the existing talent.

These were both strong hires, but LSU stands to reap more immediate benefits.

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