🏈 LSU will be third straight SEC West team to win NC in 2011

[RollTideRandy]

Zach Mettenberger comitted to LSU today. Now that they have a solid QB, they appear to be a complete team. With all the weapons they have on offense, I don't even think "THE HAT" could mess this up.

 

[psychojoe]

"The Hat" and Gary Croton could screw up an anvil.

 

['65 Cobra]

Let's see... They lose Ridley and Murphy, probably both Jefferson and Lee since Mettenberger is coming, Tolliver, possibly D. Peterson, their starting left tackle and possibly their starting left guard, half their starting defensive line, their starting Mike and possibly their staring Sam and biggest of all - Patrick Peterson is gone for sure.

Mettenberger is great and has good size, but he is no Cam Newton - one year Superman.

Maybe I'm just Bama blind, but I see us winning the West with LSU in second and Arky in third.

 

[ExiledTidefan]

I tend to agree that LSU is going to win the West next year, but mostly by default. They've recruited about as well as we have over the past 4 years, and offensively, I can't say their performances are a lot worse than some of ours. So, as far as Crowton as being a scapegoat for their problems, that's a load of mess. It's simply been a lack of production from the QB position, which they are now rectifying with Mettenberger signing on.

LSU should win the West tomorrow, provided they get past that one nasty date in Tuscaloosa next November. LSU, Bama, State or Arkansas, then the winner of the Miss/Auburn game finishing 5 and the loser being last.

 

[Nate]

SEC West team will win it all in 2011, I'm not convinced it will be LSU.

I think Oregon is going surprise the hell out of Auburn!

 

[ExiledTidefan]

Nate, I hope you're right. But in all honesty, what could Oregon possibly do on defense to keep Auburn from scoring 70?

I'm going with Auburn 63, Oregon 31, and Oregon only gets 31 because there's only 60 minutes in a football game. For fans of offensive excitement, it's going to be the greatest thing going! For fans of strategic play and amateur competition, they won't even watch.

 

[Nate]

Nate, I hope you're right. But in all honesty, what could Oregon possibly do on defense to keep Auburn from scoring 70?

I'm going with Auburn 63, Oregon 31, and Oregon only gets 31 because there's only 60 minutes in a football game. For fans of offensive excitement, it's going to be the greatest thing going! For fans of strategic play and amateur competition, they won't even watch.

Oregon is going to come out with that no huddle offense and Auburn will be down 21 points before they know what hit them, kind of like the Iron Bowl.. the only difference is that Oregon won't stop. Auburn will probably score some points too, but I don't think it will be enough

 

[Southern Bama]

I can see around 100 points being scored in this game...but I guess im just SEC partial but I think Auburn whips their azz.

 

[Southern Bama]

Zach Mettenberger comitted to LSU today. Now that they have a solid QB, they appear to be a complete team. With all the weapons they have on offense, I don't even think "THE HAT" could mess this up.

They are going to lose some really sho-nuff good players but they have plenty of talent waiting. The WEST will be a tough one to win......frankly it amazes me that any SEC team can make it to a NC game having to play the teams we play each year.

 

[TideAlum05]

They lose there 3 best defensive players including their leader.

There's 10 Brent Schaefers for every Cam Newton. Newton is the exception, not the rule.

If Crowton stays and they don't get a bonified QB coach, it doesn't matter who they recruit to play QB.

They could win the West, but I'm not ready to crown them.

(So many grammatical errors in this post.)

 

[tlsmith22]

auBARN is going to kill Oregon. No way Oregon runs the ball like they are used to against an SEC defense. They do not have the size to stop sCam either, he will have a banner game. I think Barners by 21 at least.

 

[4th-and-1]

i think that bama will be pretty stacked next year.. it will all hinge on the play of the qb, but i also look for an experienced offensive line to bring our running game back..

 

[Hoos4Tide]

See the thing is, everyone loses fantastic players every year, you can rarely say "b/c this team loses these players all the other teams are gonna be so much better" because "all the other teams" also lose their best players and every team replaces the players or becomes strong at other positions-- its all speculation. But with that said, my personal opinion is that Bama is the team that wins the West and the SEC, whether NC I can't say, but our schedule (which is the only thing you can concretely argue) really favors us in the SEC, IMO

Oh and in response to other people's thoughts on the NC this year: I think Oregon wins-- they CAN throw also... and they will not stop scoring, SEC defenses are big and powerful but are too big to not wear down after a play every 10 seconds or whatever that stat is about Oregon

 

[jdpas29]

The QB that replaces Mallett is as good and maybe better than he is. i think Arky wins the west next year. followed by LSU then Bama.

Bama's defensive problems are not of a developmental or coaching nature i believe. i think we have a physical problem that won't be remedied in a season. the secondary is thin and relatively inexperienced and the D-Line is marginally effective at best. what frosh players are we to add that will dramatically change either of those realities?

LSU is reloading with a good/adequate QB... something they lacked this year and we still managed to make them look good on offense.

Bama's next year for dominance is 2012... if the world doesn't end prior to the bowl games.

 

[foshman]

Zach Mettenberger comitted to LSU today. Now that they have a solid QB, they appear to be a complete team. With all the weapons they have on offense, I don't even think "THE HAT" could mess this up.

Were I a betting man I would bet that you guys will be the best team next year. I think Saban and his coaches are going to be sending a pretty clear message about showing up every day. LSU is losing a lot of defense, Arkansas is losing Mallett, and we are losing our two best players and most of our lines. I would imagine we are a 7-9 win team next year. Mississippi State will be the team that everyone picks next year. I think they'll falter.

Of course lots of stuff can happen in 12 months but for now you guys look to be front runners, though not by a bunch.

 

[joeman546]

auBARN is going to kill Oregon. No way Oregon runs the ball like they are used to against an SEC defense. They do not have the size to stop sCam either, he will have a banner game. I think Barners by 21 at least.

Aubarn doesnt have an SEC defense. Our line was just bad like its been all year.

No, Auburn has a good O, I think Oregons O is devastation reincarnated.

However, whats important to remember is that oregon came out firing on all cylinders and cooled off toward the end of the season. On the other hand, Auburn came outslow and kicked off late. It is important to remember that the CG isnt this weekend, but in a montih. I am not all to sure how itll play out, but I highly doubt the route the ducks. I would think the only team who might be blown out is auburn.

FYI: Even if we lived up to the hype and won the SEC and went to the NC, I thought if we had to play oregon then wed lose too.

 

[Duder]

Depending on what happens with the Bama junior class--I actually think you guys set up better to win the West than LSU. IF (I know, big if) Ingram and Jones come back your offense will look much better next year. Your offensive line will have the offeseason, spring and summer practice to gel as a unit. McCarron has a big arm and will undoubtedly make mistakes but with both backs (in theory) coming back and Julio playing in what amounts to a "contract year" the playmakers are there.

Your defense's Achilles heel this year was youth--that won't be a problem next year. Dareus is as good as gone but Barron and Hightower will be back unless they just don't want to increase their earning potential.

I'm just not wild about LSU. I'm sorry, but their offense isn't going to look worlds better next year. The only game where they remotely looked like a threat on offense was against you guys and your defense played an uncharacteristically bad second half of football. They have a boat load of talent but Miles seems to struggle with consistently utilizing it.

 

[rammerjammer]

I like Duder's assessment. While we lose guys we do fill those slots with very talented players. Let's not forget that we have the JUCO transfer from Arizona/Australia, Jesse Williams. I look for him to be a huge and immediate impact. I think he will have a Terrence Cody type impact, but not in the same hole plugging mountain of a double team way. Another thing that could be huge is if we are lucky enough to land Clowney from Rock Hill SC. I sport wood just thinking about the possibility of Clowney on one side of the DL and Williams on the other. Could be HUGE!!

Either way, Saban has recruited extremely well and keeps filling the cupboards with top notch talent. Bottom line is we have as much a shot as any of the other good teams, which is shaping up to be just about anybody in the West.

 

[TerryP]

Zach Mettenberger comitted to LSU today. Now that they have a solid QB, they appear to be a complete team. With all the weapons they have on offense, I don't even think "THE HAT" could mess this up.

Take a minute and look at what Crowton has done with the teams he's had...BYU he tanked...then his trip to the PAC 10...and now at LSU?

I can see around 100 points being scored in this game...but I guess im just SEC partial but I think Auburn whips their azz.

I'm no Auburn fan...but I'd like to see them kick their freakin' ass...South Carolina beat down style.

 

[shipley00]

SEC West team will win it all in 2011, I'm not convinced it will be LSU.

I think Oregon is going surprise the hell out of Auburn!

One could hope, but considering Oregon's last 4 games, their passing game was not that good (especially compared to earlier). To beat AU, you pass. AU is very good against the run, which is where Oregon has been able to win their last 4. Right now, the way both teams are playing, AU in a double digit win.

That said, there is a month to plan and improve.