ESPN College Football

It took a special defensive effort inside the red zone late in the Mississippi State game for the LSU Tigers to preserve their undefeated record at the time. Coincidently, red zone inefficiency on the other side of the ball could prove to be this team's fatal flaw in 2009.

Before we break down the film let's take a quick look at the stats.

The Tigers currently rank 80th nationally in red zone scoring. Out of 18 trips this season, LSU has scored eight touchdowns (four run, four pass), kicked six field goals and come up empty-handed on four occasions.

Those are not the numbers of a team prepared to knock off top-ranked Florida. The Gators lead the nation in total defense and rank 19th nationally in defensive red zone efficiency, allowing opponents to score on just five of seven trips inside their 20-yard line. Of those five scoring drives, four went for touchdowns (two rush, two pass) and the other resulted in a field goal.

Head coach Les Miles and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton aren't in the business of conceding, though. So what's the plan? Well, after studying tape on three of the team's five games this season (Washington, Mississippi State and Georgia), here's the direction I think LSU can go to upgrade its red zone attack:

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