The difference in Bama and LSU's defensive ranking

Really wasn't a comparison of LSU as much as a reason for the success we are having. The only change for out D from last season would be that we swapped Dareus for Williams on the line. Most wouldn't consider that an upgrade. Experience and a year away from the NC game has created a lot of expectation each week with our D.

 

I think they are really to close to put one ahead of the other right now. And since that is the case, our offense is practicing against them every day. That in itself should help. I know the schemes are somewhat different but the athletes on both teams shut down everything the opposing offense is trying to do. I think that is the reason you see a faster passing game with Lee. He is seeing our D lineman in his face every day at practice. This plus Krag has helped him to make faster decisions. I also think there are plays we haven't even seen yet because we haven't needed them. Also if our coaches were bright enough to come up with that fast practice session for U of O offense I am pretty sure they have been replicating Bama's D as well. Its not like we don't have the athletes to emulate what they do.:thumb:

 

Izzy .. imagine what LSU's yards yeilded per game would be if it were not for Geno Smith and the Pass Happy Carnival.

 

Bama's defense is as good as advertised. Period. That said, we will win the game on Nov. 5th.

Yeh, and the 'garbage yards' they gave up to them and Oregon late in the 4th when the game was no longer in doubt and alot of 2nd and 3rd team players were in the game.

 

Loved the look on Lee's face when he admitted the Honey Badger had snagged a few of his passes in practice.

 

Like I said earlier, in several games this year, we've essentially allowed the opposing offenses to double their yardage very late in the game when the game was well in hand. I wish that we didn't, but I understand why we do. There's no sense in risking an injury with the game out of reach. But if we didn't do that, our stats would be much, much better.

That said, I've watched bama as much as I can this year, and they are very, very good. But I'll also stand by what I said very early in the year. This years LSU defense is unquestionably top to bottom the fastest unit I've ever seen in CFB. Our D-linemen are running down RBs from behind! Good grief!

 

The question is can our offense score on Bama?
Can our defense stop bama's offense?
Our defense must stop the bama power running game. If we force them to pass then our defensive backfield can have a chance to get interceptions.
Can we pass the ball on bama? We won't run for two hundred yards. We will win with the pass. The running game must be good enough to allow play action to work. If bama can play zone all day and kill our running game with their base defense we will probably lose. If bama has to cheat to stop the run then lee can find the one on one matchups in play action. The running game must be able to produce so play action can work.

If we stop bama from running we will win. If bama runs for two hundred plus yards we will need lots of turnovers to stand a chance. Every score will be priceless. If one team goes down by 14 pts, they're dead.

 

Playing around with numbers .. just because I'm bored and love to play around with numbers ... there is one thing that stands out about Bama's defense .... their stats for run defense are stellar. They are allowing only 30% on average of what teams would normally gain. LSU is allowing only 40% of what they would normally gain.

However, and this is the point of the OP ... how much credence to give their run stat, when they are heavily influenced by AR and Vandy? Penn State is the only team that has really mad a run on them on the ground, but even here, Bama held them to 65% of what they normally gain.

In all fairness, the validating statistic is the FL game. Bama gave up just 15 yards, LSU gave up 113. Don't know, maybe it goes back to giving up garbage yards at the end of the game.

Anyway .. as was noted earlier .. it will be a matter of how well the [LSU, BAMA] respective offenses stacks up against the respective defenses ... and of course .. the wild cards ... turnovers and special teams.

 

We will need to create turnovers to win. No doubt about it. Bama has been hurting people. We must stay healthy. Ware needs to be 100% behind a full strength offensive line. Lee has to be damn accurate and we must catch every ball that hits our hands. Any sloppiness will be costly. No turnovers and no stupid penalities. We must get pressure on the qb. Basically, when you are playing the best you have to be the best. There is no advantage in ability of players. Bama athletes are every bit as good as lsu athletes. Who makes the most mistakes loses.