This article was copied from the Times-Picayune Sports Desk Log.
LSU analysis: The defense will get better
Sunday, 09/11, 4:45 p.m.
William Kalec

TEMPE, ARIZ. - Out here, in the land of grassless lawns and scalding steering wheels, mirages can easily deceive a visitor’s perception of reality.

Need proof?

Check out the Internet message boards following the Tigers’ timeless 35-31 come-from-behind victory against Arizona State. Notice the progression. Within the initial few minutes succeeding Sam Keller’s failed fourth-down pass to Terry Richardson, Web-lurkers let out a collective cyber sigh of relief. Then, when pulses resumed pumping at a normal rate, the digital venting ensued.

The mirage they’ve concocted throughout all the preseason fluff hardly resembled the view inside Sun Devil Stadium or living rooms back in Louisiana.

Bo Pelini’s defense was exposed! Too many stupid mistakes! What’s the deal with Les Miles’ Britney Spears’ headset!

Let’s break this down rant by rant.

OK, so Pelini’s debut as Tigers defensive coordinator wasn’t exactly dazzling - though it wasn’t a total bomb like his Oklahoma finale in last year’s FedEx Orange Bowl when Matt Leinart and Co. put 55 on the Sooners’ D.

Yes, Keller did complete 35 of 56 passes for 461 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. And yes, All-American wide receiver Derek Hagen couldn’t be covered. And yes, for as much as LSU fans rave about their speed at linebacker, Sun Devils tight ends Jamaal Lewis and Zach Miller were able to get vertical more than once. Oh, and despite the Devils’ aerial ways, they were still able to average four yards per carry - hardly one-dimensional.

Now, here comes the good news.

Scan the remainder of LSU’s schedule and try to find an opponent with a more prolific offense than Arizona State. Tennessee? Um, Rick Clausen is the Vols’ starting quarterback. Auburn? Not unless Jason Campbell, Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams have some hidden eligibility left. Florida? Maybe, but let’s see what Urban Meyer’s system does beyond recent displays against non-conference fillers.

Also, keep in mind that these players are learning a new system from the pin-your-ears-back demeanor under Nick Saban’s reign and that when needed, they were able to come up with a big turnover (see Ali Highsmith’s third quarter forced fumble inside the LSU 10-yard-line with Arizona State set to take a commanding 24-7 lead). There’s no reason not to think this unit should improve.

Next, the mistakes.

Obviously LSU would have benefited tremendously if it had been able to host New Orleans Bowl staple North Texas last week. There were a bundle of dropped passes, a nice set of them compiled by scapegoat turned savior Early Doucet. Xavier Carter dropped a sure touchdown - probably the best ball JaMarcus Russell threw all evening - in the second quarter. LSU was without Dwayne Bowe, not to mention Craig Davis injured himself early on, but that’s no excuse for the contagious slippery fingers. LSU racked up 100 yards in penalties, also.

Hey, it was a first game. Get worried if these same problems linger into October and November. Until then, it’s a tad quick to electronically denounce this team’s focus and discipline.

Next, of course, Miles’ futuristic head set.

Talk about nitpicking. Give the guy a break. Sure, it looked a little goofy, especially when he cupped his hand around the microphone. But in the grand scheme of things, who really cares?

Look, Miles is not Saban. It’s just not him. That’s not to say one approach is wrong and the other is correct. They are just different.

Considering everything placed on Miles’ shoulders this off-season, it’s amazing the guy has maintained his posture. Fans dumped national-championship expectations on him as he was consistently reminded of Saban’s greatness, and then was given the daunting burden to win his home opener on the road against a ranked foe so that a hurricane-ravaged region could enjoy a temporary diversion. So far, the new guy has done everything asked.

No it wasn’t a perfect, dominating performance. But it did keep the distant vision of competing for that crystal football within sight.