I've watched the game several times now. I had a strong feeling that LSU's stamina would be a defining factor in the game due to the pre-season Oregon "tempo" conditioning program. It took a little longer than I thought but if you watch the game, LSU's stamina, strength and speed really start to show around the 7 minute mark in the 4th. LSU starts to get more and more of a push and while Bama is hitting the wall, LSU seems to start playing even better and faster. Then overtime hits and it's as good as over. Bama is exhausted and it affects their physical performance as well as their mental and emotional. They were drained. Bama is an amazing team and against anyone else, their conditioning isn't a factor. But I believe LSU is the most well conditioned team in the nation and in a non stop war, it made the critical difference.
I would have to agree 100% as well, as much as our defense had to stay on the field, and as physical as the game was, I don't think I ever once saw players with hands on their hips, gasping for a breath, or taking themselves out of the game. Truly amazing
Not so much conditioning as depth. Saban is believes in playing your best 11 on defense. Miles believes in playing your best 30 on defense.
Bama usually beats us up. In games past, lsu players got hurt often. I remember seeing players seeming to get hurt every other play. This year we laid the wood. After the game miles, taking his que from Payton and the saints superbowl season's first playoff game, stood and addressed his team. He was holding a baseball bat. Each of the players got a small token bat after the game. I think the overlieing sentiment of the game was for lsu to bring the wood. To out physical bama. To beat them at their own game. To commit to running the football and stopping the run. The conditioning of this team allowed them to do that. I think that was the game plan for the ducks. Beat them up. That's what allowed lsu to win. In the end, we were doing the beating not the other way around.
