Best Defenses LSU will Face 2010 (Projected)

Someone made a comment that UNC's defense is no different or tougher than Bama and Florida and other SEC teams.

Thought that was an interesting comment, so here's what Phil Steele has to say about 2010 defenses (he ranks them by unit, I'm going to kluge that together). I've ranked them in the order Phil ranks them.

DISCLAIMER: I fully realize this is Steele's opinion only, that he is just one dude, that he largely bases his analysis on stats (i.e. past performance) and that he looks at so many schools that he can't put all of this in context. It's just an interesting look at one set of data.


North Carolina (#1 DL, #1 LBs, #8 DBs) Avg Ranking 3.5 (easily tops in the country)
Florida (#10 DL, #17 LBs, #3 DBs) Avg 10 (probably Top 3 or 4)
Alabama (#18 DL, #8 LBs, #10 DBs) Avg 12 (probably Top 5)

Mississippi St (#19 DL, #32 LBs, #22 DBs) - 21
West Virginia (#14 DL, #30 LBs, #25 DBs) - 23
Ole Miss (#20 DL, #23 LBs, #33 DBs) - 25

Auburn (#14 LB,, #18 DBs)
Arkansas (#19 DBs)

LSU (#22 DL, #12 DBs) - somewhere around Auburn....

What does this mean? It means LSU will play 3 of the top 10 defenses in the country, maybe 3 of the Top 5, this year - based on Steele's expectations.

It means LSU plays 6 defenses this year that rank somewhere in the Top 25 defenses in the country.

And it means LSU's defense needs to be better than Steele expects (which I think it will be). When I have more time, I 'll compare that to Steele's prediction on offenses and see what that tells us.

 

The loss of Marvin Austin would affect UNC's lofty ranking, I would guess. He is their Glenn Dorsey... but, as with Dorsey, it's part of the game... this time to LSU's benefit...

 

I didn't hold that against them because I'm assuming a one game suspension, maybe a couple. Unsure where that stands right now.

 

But think about that statement. To say they will be "tough again" says a lot. They really don't have to be on par with last years unit. With the O leading the way, tough will do it.

 

I think it was meant more as a compliment to your coach and his defensive coaching abilities.

 

Same thing. Bottom line, defense is going to get better in a hurry. Much like the data provided by Bandit, NC ain't bringing the whole gang with them next week, so stick a fork in their #1 so-called LB advantage.

With our DL # 18 to our DB #10 is crazy. Murphy has already gone ahead of Chapman at NT. Dareus, Square, Davis, Billingsley, etc. Ton of talent and the LB will NOT be behind NC at the end of the season.

 

No they won't. This is the SEC our D's develop fast and become the majority of our strength. Just like you guys D getting stronger as the season moves on we won't be the same #16 ranking when it comes our time to play. By that time it will be the clash of the titans and be what sets up the winner of the west.

 

Do you want me to go with you when you break all this to Deceks, just in case he's still concentrating on 2004?