TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No defense in the SEC has been better at getting the ball than Alabama. The Crimson Tide has forced 18 points in eight games so far this season, which ranks tied for sixth in the country.

Three of those 18 turnovers came in the Crimson Tide’s last game, a 34-0 shutout victory over Missouri. Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack hopes his unit is able to continue to build on the momentum from this performance as No. 11 Alabama travels to take on No. 15 LSU this weekend.

“As a result of the Missouri game, there were some things that (show) we’re taking steps in the right direction,” Wommack said Monday. “I think our players are really emphasizing taking the ball away from people right now. I think we’ve gotten 10 takeaways in the last three games, which is really encouraging. I’m seeing a emphasis on that from our coaches and players in practice, and those things show up on game day.

Creating turnovers hasn’t really been a problem, but scoring on one of those takeaways hasn’t happened so far. Alabama is one of 42 of 134 FBS teams without a defensive touchdown this season. There are only 24 college football teams, including Alabama, that have not scored a non-offensive touchdown of any kind on defense or special teams so far this year.

Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who found the end zone on a fumble return against Tennessee last season, said the defense is “starved” to get back into the end zone this year .

“I’m not going to lie, we’re hungry,” Campbell said after Tuesday’s practice. “We’re trying to get the ball back, whether it’s a strip, forced fumbles, interceptions, whatever. Anything we can do to get the ball out of the offense’s hands and into our hands and, obviously, score a touchdown on defense, it’s going to be great for us. We’re starving, we’re starving.

Alabama scored three non-offensive touchdowns last season: Chris Braswell’s pick-six at Mississippi State, Campbell’s scoop-and-score against Tennessee and Caleb Downs’ punt return for a touchdown against Chattanooga.

Alabama’s defense will have its opportunities Saturday against Garrett Nussmeier. The LSU quarterback leads the SEC with 20 touchdown passes thrown, but also has nine interceptions. Wommack compared him to NFL legend Brett Farve, who was a Super Bowl champion, multiple-time NFL MVP and touchdown leader, but is also the NFL’s all-time passing leader. interceptions thrown.

“I think he’s an aggressive player, right?” Wommack said of Nussmeier. “Sometimes you live by the sword and you die by the sword a little bit. We’re a team that’s definitely going to focus on taking the ball away from people. We’ve got to be able to show enough looks and images and Change some things. Put your eyes on the quarterback coverage. Do all the different things to be able to create some confusion that we’ve been able to create with some really good quarterbacks.

“Taking the ball away from people is really the identity of who we are as a defense. That has to show on Saturday night.”

Learn more: Where Alabama ranks in the first poll of the 2024 College Football Playoff

How to watch: No. 11 Alabama football at No. 14 LSU, Week 11 college football TV schedule

Everything Kalen DeBoer said as Alabama enters LSU week