The difference in Bama and LSU's defensive ranking

I know Bama has a great defense, and so does LSU ... but when looking at the two teams schedules, one thing jumps out at me ... LSU has played two very fine tuned, short passing threat teams. Bama, has played none.

OK .. there is AR, but AR's pass offensive is more of a down field threat, not the "get it in space", fine tuned assault that both Oregon and WVU run. Hence, since Bama's defense did not allow for the longer down field plays to develop, AR's pass offensive was basically neutralized.

Of note, Oregon and WVU are the only two teams that have scored significantly on LSU's defense. Even though, LSU still beat both teams by double digits.

IMO, it was these two passing offenses that make it appear that Bama is the king, #1 in points scored against. In reality, they've played two cupcakes resulting in two 0 score games. Aside from OR and WVU, the four remaining teams, including two top 25 ranked teams, have only put a total of 27 points on the board. If we allowed the average 10 points per game that would result from lesser offense in place of the OR and WVU games, like say, a Penn State, that would make LSU and Bama's points agains tied at 47 ea.

Bama has a good defense ... but I'm not sold that they are good as their ranking and points allowed indicate.

Thoughts?? :geaux:

 

I'm not concerned in the least with how the defensive units rank. I'm more concerned with whether or not they are getting the job done and how well they are playing. Both D's have definitely done the job so far.

 

Bama's defense is scary good.

 

Agree completely, and you can do the same thing with total defense. Alabama is #3 in that category and LSU #5, but LSU played the #5 and #11 teams in total offense. Yeah, we gave up a ton of yards to WVU, but we had a game plan that worked. They were behind the whole game and threw the ball 65 times. Of course they racked up some yards.

 

yeh i completely disagree on the Arkansas assessment. I have seen that team several times their offense is exactly that, get the ball in open space to that WR crew they have.
most of their passes are underneath, I would say 90+ % of them. Slants, drags, etc.
They run a TON of drag routes, and finding holes in the coverage. Bama shut all that down.

Bama's defense is really really really really really good.
As is LSU's but we have more speed, I think they are more physical.
It should be a burner when they play....

 

But we have an ace in the hole or should i say a honey badger in the hole

 

It doesnt matter because our defense is not playing there defense. I just want our guys to stop the train coming out of the backfield. Not to worried with AJ throwing it. I think we can move it on them just have to make sure we make our red zone offense count.

BTW that doesnt mean im not scared of them.

 

Like I stated on reddit, this scares me, im pretty sure if we played bama 10 times it would be 5 wins each. Really sux that our season comes down to a coin flip. That being said, I think that due to bama's defense Les Miles has been calling it pretty straight forward even tho we played rank teams. This will allow us to surprise the bama D and hopefully give us the edge to win the game. I also think JJ will be key to any victory we get @ bama...

 

Well, at the moment, my concern is Tennessee and then Auburn.
But as far as Bama is concerned – the real concern on November 5th will be the new experience for both the Bama and the LSU offenses – neither has faced a defense as good and as deep as they will face on that day. It is going to be one hell of a game!!!



ldskule:

 

Someone on the gator forum nailed it. bama has great LBs and pretty good secondary & DL. We have pretty good LBs (when Minter is playing Mike) and a great secondary & DL.

Say what you will, but our defense is easily the most battle-tested in the country. And while our offense isn't spectacular, it will definitely be the most balanced attack that bama will face. The same is true for us.

Another thing about our D is that they let up late in the game with a huge lead. We've allowed teams to basically double their offensive output in these situations. So stat-jockeys may be misinformed.

Personally, I think the speed of our DL is a bigger weapon than just sheer size.