BATON ROUGE – LSU’s defense continued its climb up the national rankings this week as the Tigers have jumped to No. 7 in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 12.13 points per game.

LSU’s jump in scoring defense came following the Tigers posted a 42-0 win over Tulane last week. LSU has allowed just 36 points in its last four games. In consecutive games, LSU allowed 13 points to both Georgia and Florida, followed by 10 to Auburn. A year ago, those three teams combined to score 124 points on the Tigers.

The Tigers are ranked No. 4 in nationally in redzone defense, limiting opponents to scoring just 67 percent of the time in which they enter the redzone. LSU opponents have scored on just 14 of 21 redzone appearances.

LSU is also ranked No. 15 in the nation and fourth in the Southeastern Conference in total defense, allowing 293 yards per game. Since giving up 23 points and 478 total yards against Washington in the season-opener, LSU has limited its last seven opponents to an average of 10.6 points and 266.6 yards.

LSU goes into the Alabama game having pitched first half shutouts in three of its last four games. The Tigers held Georgia, Auburn and Tulane scoreless in the first half of those victories. Florida scored 10 points in the first half for the only points in the first two quarters against the Tigers over the last four games.

The Tigers lead the SEC and are ranked No. 8 in the nation in turnover margin with at +9 for the season. In eight games, LSU has gained 16 turnovers (11 interceptions, five fumbles), while turning the ball over just seven times (four interceptions, three fumbles).

LSU, which has intercepted at least one pass in 10 straight games dating back to last year, ranks No. 17 in the nation in pass interceptions with 11 to its credit this year. Chad Jones, Patrick Peterson, Chris Hawkins and Brandon Taylor lead the team with two interceptions each.

In special teams, LSU ranks No. 2 in the nation in kickoff coverage with a 16.32 average. LSU has held opponents to just 669 yards on 41 kickoff returns this year. The longest return against LSU this year was a 29-yard return by Louisiana-Lafayette.

LSU’s punt return average of 17.32 leads the conference and ranks No. 6 nationally. Trindon Holliday is 12th in the nation in punt returns with a 14.62 average. Last week against Tulane, Holliday had two returns of 50 yards in the win over the Green Wave.

LSU returns to action on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. when the ninth-ranked Tigers travel to face third-ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The game will be televised on CBS. LSU goes into the game with 7-1 overall mark and a 4-1 league record, while the Crimson Tide is 8-0 overall and 5-0 in conference action.