LSU vs. West Virginia: Tigers Defense Will Trump Mountaineers' Air Attack

They say defense wins championships. It also helps beat the West Virginia Mountaineers in September. 

The LSU Tigers get yet another test in their long and winding road to a national championship. It is important to remember that this is another trial by offensive fire for LSU, not the first. 

As we head into the weekend, you would think the Tigers had never met a team that could throw the ball. In reality, this team deserves our respect for what they have proved so far. At the very least, they deserve more respect than an offense that is being lauded as invincible. 

West Virginia is no doubt an offensive juggernaut. They move the ball downfield at a consistent and, more importantly, entertaining manner. 

Geno Smith gets people talking because West Virginia amazes by air—leading to the myriad of discussions we've heard in the first three weeks of the season.

I am not about to argue that Smith is a subpar quarterback, because he is not. It is hard to argue against over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns so far. What I can argue against is Marshall, Norfolk State and Maryland—West Virginia's first three games.

None of those teams have the defensive presence in the secondary that LSU does. The Mountaineers have not seen anything like they are about to on Saturday.

LSU has. 

The Tigers are one of the most battle-tested programs in the nation. It is a rare thing in college football, but you can actually trust in their ranking. 

The Tigers got over on an Oregon offense that was supposed to challenge them at the start of the season. They showed right away that they not only had the defense to stop the best, but also the offense to win the big games. 

The fact that this team has only matured since then is a scary proposition to the Mountaineers. I can't imagine an LSU stumble after seeing and beating two Top 25 clubs this year already—one of which, Oregon, was supposed to be an explosive touchdown nightmare to guard against. 

Even without their starting quarterback, LSU has been competent enough on offense to get the job done. Their real asset is a secondary that has allowed only two completions of 15 yards or more this season, according to ESPN. 

The Tigers are primed and ready for this matchup. West Virginia will suffer some growing pains as they face their first ranked opponent of the season. The fact that they are one of the best in the nation will show immediately. 

Defense wins championships.

It also serves to take out the Mountaineers, who have been playing above their heads as of late.