🏈 LSU vs. Bama Position Comparison

[bamascw]

Wow, this is not even game week yet! :lance:

 

[bamatommy]

there are delusional fans at every school.

Absolutely correct.

 

['65 Cobra]

The problem with this whole debate - aside from the inane blatherings of a particularly mind-numbing cajun - is that our O-line doesn't play against their O-line just as our D-Line doesn't play against theirs. Here are some interesting numbers comparing units against units.

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Louisiana State Off vs

Alabama Def[/TD]
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[TR]
[TD="class: sdi-datacell"]

372.1 yards

180.5 yards

4.3 yards/rush

1.7 yards/rush

8.3 yards/attempt

4.5 yards/attempt
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[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

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Alabama Off vs

Louisiana State Def[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: sdi-datacell"]

457.6 yards

251.4 yards

5.8 yards/rush

2.5 yards/rush

8 yards/attempt

5.4 yards/attempt
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

Also, I thought I would look at some of the rankings of our competitors. For example, for team defense in points per game - probably the most important category - we rank #1 and LSU ranks #3. However, when I look at rankings of opponents, we have played against Penn State who is ranked #5, while LSU's highest ranking opponent is Florida at #16 who we have also played. We are also #1 in total defense (LSU is #3), passing defense (LSU is #4), and rushing defense (LSU is #6).

In scoring offense, it is more of a draw - we are ranked #14 and LSU is ranked #15. They get credit for having played Oregon, who is top 5 (and who plays in a PAC 12 conference with no defense to speak of). They played WVU at #18, but we played Arkansas at #19.

When I look at those big games, I see that Oregon put up 335 total yards against LSU and 18 first downs. WVU put up 533 yards and 28 first downs. In our game against Arkansas, the Hogs put up 226 yards and 14 first downs. Not sure Florida is a fair comparison since we knocked out their top two QBs and one of their top RBs the week before LSU played them. UT as a common opponent is a wash on the scoreboard - they couldnt' score on either of us - and a minor advantage for us in the stats: we held them to 155 yards and 6 first downs, (we put up 437 and 19), and LSU held them to 239 yards and 11 first downs (they put up 383 and 24).

All of these numbers simply corroborate what the pros are saying - Bama by about 4.0-4.5. HOWEVER, as I've said several times before; this is a payback fame for us. We have a serious score to settle from last year. We should have won last year and that may have changed our fortunes against Auburn knowing we could still win the West. We have a hungry, nasty team being smart and quiet this week and they will have serious payback on their minds and so will Saban as so many have implied he was out-coached by the Mad Hatter. Stats may be close, but we are going to pound them this year. I am seeing a double digit victory for us and then we'll have to be careful not to have a let-down against MSU, who gave LSU quite a hard time.

 

[Duder]

I just can't resist

QB- I'd take AJ. While Lee's numbers are better it isn't by much. AJ is a first year starter and Bama relies on the run much more. Both Lee and Jefferson have shown the propensity to meltdown and cost their team the game, AJ hasn't and won't. Edge Bama

Running backs- Bama and it isn't close. Lacy would start at LSU and he's the back-up in BR. This position isn't close and to say otherwise is laughable. Huge advantage Bama.

WR- I will give this to LSU. Randle and Shepard have great size and speed though I won't say it is a huge advantage based on the type of O Bama runs. Edge LSU

O-Line- I will take Bama. Why? Look at the rushing total. The best backs in the game are average without an o-line. Advantage Bama

D-Line- Bama's line hasn't been that impressive to me. They run a more LB oriented defense. LSU's line is deep and nasty. Advantage LSU.

LBs- Bama and it isn't close. Hightower and Upshaw are two of the best in the game. Advantage Bama.

DBs- I call this a push. LSU has solid playmakers back there, Mathieu is about as good as they come. Dre, DeQuan and Milliner are all solid cover corners and Barron and Lester are two of the better safeties in the league.

Special teams- I'm not sure I'd say anything more than slight edge LSU. Great punter and Bama's kickoff coverage has been sporadic but Maze can light it up returning kicks and Yrenr has dropped deep as well. I pray for the LSU gunner who tries to light up Trent.

Coaching- I'm taking Saban. Miles is far from in his head. Saban manages the game much better than Les. Let's not talk about the clock gaffes Les has fallen victim to. Also, you can't ignore the fact that Lester walked into a program built by Saban. They've split their record head-to-head and the two years Lester beat Saban Bama's record was 7-6 and 10-3. I assume you don't want to discuss 2008 and 2009?

 

[CrimsonPirate]

I just can't resist

QB- I'd take AJ. While Lee's numbers are better it isn't by much. AJ is a first year starter and Bama relies on the run much more. Both Lee and Jefferson have shown the propensity to meltdown and cost their team the game, AJ hasn't and won't. Edge Bama

Running backs- Bama and it isn't close. Lacy would start at LSU and he's the back-up in BR. This position isn't close and to say otherwise is laughable. Huge advantage Bama.

WR- I will give this to LSU. Randle and Shepard have great size and speed though I won't say it is a huge advantage based on the type of O Bama runs. Edge LSU

O-Line- I will take Bama. Why? Look at the rushing total. The best backs in the game are average without an o-line. Advantage Bama

D-Line- Bama's line hasn't been that impressive to me. They run a more LB oriented defense. LSU's line is deep and nasty. Advantage LSU.

LBs- Bama and it isn't close. Hightower and Upshaw are two of the best in the game. Advantage Bama.

DBs- I call this a push. LSU has solid playmakers back there, Mathieu is about as good as they come. Dre, DeQuan and Milliner are all solid cover corners and Barron and Lester are two of the better safeties in the league.

Special teams- I'm not sure I'd say anything more than slight edge LSU. Great punter and Bama's kickoff coverage has been sporadic but Maze can light it up returning kicks and Yrenr has dropped deep as well. I pray for the LSU gunner who tries to light up Trent.

Coaching- I'm taking Saban. Miles is far from in his head. Saban manages the game much better than Les. Let's not talk about the clock gaffes Les has fallen victim to. Also, you can't ignore the fact that Lester walked into a program built by Saban. They've split their record head-to-head and the two years Lester beat Saban Bama's record was 7-6 and 10-3. I assume you don't want to discuss 2008 and 2009?

Can't argue with your assessment. Regarding the QBs, AJ has a better completion percentage for more yards and more yards per game. Lee has a better QB rating, more TD passes, and fewer interceptions. One thing no one has really considered is that Lee is a senior. For a sophomore to be right there with him says a lot for AJ.

 

[Tider27]

Some tiggahs will come back down to earth this week.

 

[RollTideinGA]

I assume you don't want to discuss 2008 and 2009?

Oh no, they will discuss it. Bama cheated, paid refs, bad calls, etc. Same thing that happens every time they lose.

I was at that game in 2009 and Bama was beating them left and right, their offensive line was slow to get up on several plays. They were down to a backup QB and a backup RB. They hadn't moved the ball well all night. But after the Peterson blown call we are supposed to believe that LSU would have marched 68 yards to score a game winning TD? Please. as the SI article stated:

Let's get one thing straight. The play didn't decide the game. Yes, LSU would have gotten the ball down six instead of down nine 2 minutes and 50 seconds later, but there's no guarantee backup quarterback Jarrett Lee, working with backup running back Stevan Ridley, would have led the Tigers down the field for the winning score against the ferocious Alabama defense.

LSU was out gained 452 to 253 in that game and had players exiting the game injured or cramping constantly. But it's the refs fault.

2008 was an epic battle much like I expect this weeks game to be. Hopefully Lee throws a four more INTs just like then.
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[planomateo]