alabama's opinion of LSU (in their paper)

LSU's 47-21 win over West Virginia in Morgantown last Saturday was impressive. There were impact plays by a lightning-quick defense. There was a bruising running game complemented by timely passing. There were special-teams fireworks, including a 99-yard kickoff return.

It's difficult to see, though, where it was any more impressive than Alabama's 38-14 beatdown of Arkansas.

The Tide held a talented Razorbacks offense to 226 yards. LSU, while in control for most of the game, allowed 533 against West Virginia.

And yet it's LSU that's getting all the love this week. Bolstered by a schedule that also includes a win over Oregon, the Tigers vaulted to No. 1 in the AP poll and no one has asked Les Miles about clock management or FieldTurf recipes in weeks. Meanwhile, some are finding room to question whether Alabama is really an elite team.

A Sporting News column published this week painted Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron as a weak link waiting to be exposed. McCarron holds the ball too long and much of his yardage comes from screens, according to the story, which took Nick Saban's references to his quarterback as a "game manager" as a negative.

Funny how all of those criticisms also were true of Greg McElroy, who has a national championship ring.

Those who have watched McCarron through the years know he can let it rip, but he has come up in Tuscaloosa under conservative mentors in Saban and McElroy. He is doing what he's been asked to do, and what he's watched McElroy win games doing -- getting the ball to the playmakers, moving the chains and avoiding turnovers.

That sounds remarkably similar to what LSU has asked of Jarrett Lee, a former interception machine who this year has been efficient in managing the Tigers' offense. He has thrown for more than 200 yards once (McCarron has two 200-yard games), and 52 of his 180 yards in that impressive win over West Virginia came on one play when LSU caught the Moutaineers napping on a third-and-1.

If Alabama fans are at all antsy to see what their first-year starter will do against a top-flight SEC defense -- and he'll face one Saturday at Florida -- LSU fans have to be holding their collective breath hoping Lee won't revert to form. His success after those early struggles is one of the SEC's feel-good stories of the young season, but LSU hasn't faced a particularly strong defense yet.

The truth is, Alabama and LSU appear to be very similar. They both have excellent defenses. They both have strong running games. They both have quarterbacks who have played efficiently and have largely kept them out of bad situations.

Oklahoma was the flavor of the week after beating Florida State in Tallahassee. This week, LSU is everybody's darling. What'll happen if Alabama lands a knockout punch in the Swamp?

Who'll be the weak link then?
*the answer...LSU is still #1:geauxtige

 

Because we beat Alabama last year, they have been much more respectful this year. Bama fans usually like to talk down about lsu and pump up the tide. This year they have been confident but not as arrogant. Maybe last year taught them a little humility after losing three games. Especially after the barn managed one of the greatest comebacks in college football history. Miles and saban are tied up in the wins and loses game. They seem to be a little less mouthy about other teams faults this year after having to eat their own words last year.

 

For all the, "We got jobbed" comments, I'm glad to see this. I've always said how EVERY fan base perceives other teams getting the love. THIS is from within the same conference and shows just how true that statement is.

 

Uh...I really do not give a damn what any Gump thinks of LSU. Period.

 

We really don't give a dam if you give a dam.

 

^^^^^ This. I was working with a bunch of gumps up north last year before the game. They were soooo stunned none of them gave LSU the slightest chance.

 

In the SEC....we're all a bunch of KoolAid drinking homers.

...as it should be !!

 

Yes you do

 

No I do not.

I stop listening to Alabama fans and sports writers back in the 80's. Also stopped having any type of football conversations with them as well. :thumb:

I have come across to many Gump homers of the "Finebaumian" mentality. Their crass arrogance and lack of respect for even their competitive opponents shows low class in my opinion. :rolleye33:

I not saying you are like that but my experience living around them for a few years showed me most are. :thumb:

Tide and USC fan talk...in one ear and out the other. :thumb:

I make my own assessments of Bama. :thumb:

I am currently assessing they will be very hard to beat.

 

Its funny where we as rival fans CHOOSE to get our opinions of other rival fanbases. And I do understand that a lot of it simply comes from our inherent biases for our respective teams. And having that inherent bias it directs us to places where we can justify our predetermined opinions.

We love to go to Finebaum (if you're a LSU fan) and use that as a basis of "how the Bama fans view us". Or Bama fans going to Tigerdroppings and/or Tigerrant (whichever its called) and use that as a basis of "how LSU views us". Yet purposely ignoring and staying away from those fans that go against the belief we want to believe.

I see it all the time from every SEC fanbase. Everybody thinks their fanbase has the "most class" and is the most "rational". The SEC and their fanbases are one big delusional and dysfunctional bunch. :insane: