The LSU football team has started the season 3-0 and ranked No. 7 in both major polls, but it’s still got some issues.Don’t misinterpret this as one-sided bashing. There have been some good things on the field, but there have also been some bad, and there has also been some seriously ugly football on display by the Tigers.THE GOODJohn Chavis’ defensive unit has played pretty well as a whole when it matters most in the Tigers’ first three games this season. LSU hasn’t allowed a touchdown in more than six quarters and is ranked No. 14 nationally in scoring defense, but its total defensive numbers aren’t nearly as spectacular.More specifically, LSU boasts the No. 3 red-zone defense in the Southeastern Conference. In the seven times LSU’s back has been to the wall, its opponents have only put numbers on the scoreboard five times. Three of those scores were touchdowns, and two were by field goal. The drives that stalled inside the 20 yard line both ended because of fumbles.The defense isn’t the only group getting it done when it’s necessary. The offense ranks No. 3 in the SEC in third-down conversions. Of their 39 third-down opportunities, the Tigers have converted 21. Another bright spot on the team would be its place kicking. It’s a very important element to many teams’ success, yet many fans take it for granted.Junior kicker Josh Jasper has been perfect on all five of his field goal attempts this season, including a 52-yard boot against Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday night. He also is 10-for-10 on extra point attempts as well.THE BADAs good as the defense has been in the red zone, it’s been just as bad any other time it’s on the field.LSU ranks No. 46 nationally and No. 9 in the SEC in total defense. The unit has allowed a total of 960 yards on the season, and its opponents average 4.5 yards a play.The defense has only allowed three touchdowns thus far, but the unit’s penchant for allowing a ton of yards a contest could prove disastrous once LSU plays more potent offenses.Quarterback protection has been pretty dismal, as well. The offensive line doesn’t do a terrible job of keeping defenders from harassing sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson, but they don’t do exceptionally well either.LSU is tied at No. 8 in the SEC in sacks allowed on the season with five. As a result of the sacks, the offense has lost 35 yards.THE UGLYComplete offensive output could turn out to be the cancer that kills LSU’s season. The Tigers rank No. 90 nationally in total offense with an average of just less than 330 yards a contest — good enough for dead last in the conference.LSU can’t move the ball effectively on the ground or through the air this season, and the Tigers rank No. 9 in passing offense and No. 10 in rushing offense in the conference with 162 and 164 yards per game, respectively.No running back has eclipsed even 75 yards in a game this season, and sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson has yet to pass for more than 200 yards in a game.Vanderbilt is the best defense LSU has faced so far, ranking No. 21 nationally in total defense, but both Washington and ULL rank in the mid-70s.If it’s not the offense that kills the season, it could very well turn out to be the return game.The Tigers average 10.4 yards a carry on kickoff returns, an average that has them last in the SEC. Punt returns are working out better for the Tigers who average 7 yards a return, making them No. 5 in the conference in that category.Johanathan Brooks is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Powder Springs, Ga. Follow him on Twitter @ TDR_jbrooks.—-Contact Johanathan Brooks at [email protected]