I think you can make an argument for all the teams mentioned (except for the 1945 team) that played in a different era. No way do any of the past teams mentioned match the over all size, speed, and stregnth of teams today. But all of them had great teams that excelled under pressure. I think this Tigers unit is the best TEAM due to the fact they've won big with average QB play. I think the number of players that were utilized made this season a total team effort.
It is difficult to compare teams from different eras. But with the factors we can quantify, I'm wondering if there's any team that beat 8 ranked opponents, and almost all of them by double digits. Also consider LSU will have beaten 3 top 5 teams, and one of them (#2) twice. I just can't imagine any other team has done this. Also, the games we played on the road against ranked teams, with dominating victories that weren't even as close as the lopsided score would indicate. Amirong?
When we beat Bama on the 9th, we will have beaten 9 ranked teams (Oregon, Miss. St, West Virg, Florida, Auburn, Alabama twice, Arkansas, and Georgia). We will have also beaten two teams ranked #3 (Oregon and Arkansas) and the #2 team twice (Alabama). So we will have beaten 4 top 3 ranked teams. Pretty impressive stuff.
Yes. And for all that you have shared, I believe that this will be perceived as the best college football team ever. Who can argue?
Well FWIW, I don't like counting ranked teams that were ranked in September/October, but wound up sucking, such as MSU, UF, and AU. However, I totally understand the practice. Fact is though, when we played Oregon, they were #3...and even after the season is finished, they're still a top 5 team. And IMO, Arky is even better...it's just that they lost late and didn't have a chance to rebound in the rankings with a CG. Bama was #2 both times. I wouldn't think there's been another team that's beaten 4 top 5 teams in one season, but I could be wrong.
I definitely believe this is the best LSU team in history no matter what transpires. As for how this team goes down in history I think that can be debated after the bowl games. CFB is more competitive than ever and the schedule we have played is quite impressive. I'm anxious to see how our opponents perform in bowl games.
This is the best team during the regular season. Jan. 9th will be the defining game for the best team in history. Though there is no way that the 1958 team would beat this team if they played. The difference in speed is too great.
Great discussion. And let me be clear, I'm not discounting the accomplishments of this years team. They have been impressive and numerous. We have a solid D with great athletes particulary in the secondary. Special teams that are probably the best in the nation. A solid running game. QB play and our passing attack is the only criticism (and it would be nit picking) I have with this years team. I guess I just think of the what ifs if we had an Andrew Luck at QB.
Well even the best teams had a weakness. The Oklahoma and Nebraska teams of the 70's could be said to have a weak passing game. But they ran the option or veer 90% of the time which didn't involve a strong passing game. LSU this year is similar in that we don't pass as often because we haven't needed too to win going away. We passed enough to keep the defense honest so they would not stack the box.
