Saban's comments on playing LSU last year

And I won't get bogged down in the whole "Lies, damned lies and statistics" argument either.

But consider this when you point to that "gap": Bama's 2011 OOC opponents -- Kent State, Penn State, North Texas and Georgia Southern v. LSU's 2011 OOC opponents -- Oregon, Northwestern State, West Virginia and Western Kentucky.

 

There's some serious leg humping going on in that picture, right there.

 

I'm technically over at the roundtable. What do you know about restaurants that serve baklava in the state of Michigan? Come join us!

 

That's a fair observation. Oregon and WVU trump Penn State hands down.

LaSalle's comment about the two defenses being in different classes? It's not fair, or accurate. Both teams had outstanding defenses.

The two programs shared six common opponents last year in SEC play. The numbers are almost identical.

Numbers are listed with LSU first, Bama second. (I may have transposed numbers somewhere, but the point remains the same)

Auburn-
Pts allowed: 10 - 14
First downs: 18 - 9
Ttl yards allowed: 248 - 140

Ole Miss
Pts allowed: 3 - 7
First downs: 13 - 9
Ttl yards allowed: 195 - 113

Arkansas
Pts allowed: 17 - 14
First downs: 11 - 14
Ttl yards allowed: 254 - 226

Miss State
Pts allowed: 6 - 7
First downs: 13 - 9
Ttl yards allowed: 193 - 131

Florida
Pts allowed: 11 - 10
First downs: 9 - 9
Ttl yards allowed: 213 - 222

UT
Pts allowed: 7 - 6
First downs: 11 - 6
Ttl yards allowed: 239 - 155

 

Ya think they'd be more reasonable and, say, throw piss bags.


On a serious note. It's sad you let a team other than your own occupy so much space in your mind. Let it go brah, use that brain space for your team.

 

Not trying to downplay your defense, you guys had a great one, but there were teams that scored on you guys and moved the ball well, including Georgia Southern. We beat you, beat the champs of 2 other BCS bowl games, beat Georgia, Arkansas who was number 3 in the nation, we played real opponents. The only real opponents you guys played were 1/2 of Penn State, Arkansas, and us. Maybe South Carolina too I can't remember if you played them last year or not. But the only real offensive team you played was Arkansas. So that's why you were the number 1 total defensive team in the nation. Still don't believe your defense was in the same class as ours. The only part of your defense that was better than ours was your linebackers. Our secondary was better, our D line was better. Your quarterback was waaaaaaaaaaaaay better than ours, and your O line was better than ours. I know it sounds like sour grapes, but frankly I don't care, because I am being objective. We were out coached on offense, and our offensive ineptness gave your offense the edge over the best defense in the country, maybe of all time. Ask Oregon, ask West Virginia. Your defense pretty much did the same thing Georgia's did to us, pretty much the same thing alot of teams did to us when Jefferson came back. Our defense really hid the fact that same class as yours. Overall I am not ashamed to admit that when you take everything into consideration, Alabama had the better complete team, but I will stake my right and left nut on my opinion that LSU's defense was in another league than yours. Anyway, bring on November 3rd.

 

I'm looking forward to playing a schedule like that. After last year, I don't mind an easy schedule....

Bring it on Towson State !!!!

 

I'll gladly accept your personal opinion. No need to go all in with those most precious anatomical assets, just in case. Two best teams in the nation, so something went right for the Tigers last year.

This year, the roles are absolutely reversed. LSU should be the more experienced defense, with lots of preseason talk about awards and greatness. Bama will be considered a year away. Our defense couldn't get elected dog catcher in the preseason hype department. And we must travel to the cozy confines of BR on a Saturday night. As for me, I'm anxious to see what we can do in that underdog role for a change.

Les has convinced me, he's not in denial of the last game and I still think he has the loyalty of his team. Whether some of his team oriented, psychological antics prove helpful, I'm not sure. But that is the mad hatter's way and he hasn't dodged a public appearance, nor sidestepped a tough question. So hang on to your anatomy. Going to be another pretty good year for the two best teams in the SEC.