(Editor’s note: So far, we’ve touched on the surprises and coaching jobs done in the LSU Tigers’ 9-6 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Time to address the anemic offensive output.)
Setting aside the “entertainment” aspect, does the lack of scoring in this game mean anything the bigger picture?
Michael Felder: Yes! These defenses are better than I expected. Simply put, these were two soul-crushing teams that took away what the opposition wanted to do. LSU had Jarrett Lee to throw the picks when they were stretching the ball, and ‘Bama had to contend with Mo Claiborne and a ton of blanketed receivers on their end. Against most other teams in the nation the Tide and the Bayou Bengals can put up 40 points, but against each other, no touchdowns. Other teams, look out.
Allen Kenney: All in all, I thought the offensive execution on both sides of the ball was pretty underwhelming. The defenses were as good as advertised, but it helps when the other side can’t throw the ball with any consistency.
These are the two best teams in the country based on the strength of their defenses alone. I’d absolutely make LSU the favorite in the national championship game, and I’d do the same for ‘Bama. The gap between them and the rest of the country probably isn’t as wide as we’ve all thought, though. Both might be more vulnerable to Air Raid, uptempo teams.
Kevin McGuire: If anything, it certifies just how good these defenses really are. Did we see some holes in the offenses? Maybe, but coming in to this game it was all about the defenses, and they lived up to the hype. Moving forward, I suspect we’ll see plenty of good things from these offenses.
Regie Eller: No, not at all. We all saw the top two teams in the country last night. The list of teams that could beat either one of these defenses, in my opinion, is zero. Andrew Luck would have some success, but does not have enough weapons to sustain it for four quarters. Oklahoma State with Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon would be able to do some things, but Alabama or LSU would murder the Oklahoma St. defense with the run game. Oklahoma? Boise State? No way. Arkansas may be able to test LSU some, but same principal as earlier: LSU will pound it on the Razorbacks.
Tom Perry: I wish it would show people how a great defensive performance is a work of art. We get excited about well-executed offenses, but what those two defensive coordinators did Saturday night is down right impressive. Yes, they have the horses to do the job, but it still takes a great plan. I can’t remember the last time I saw a college game where the two teams were so physical, and I thought the officials let them play. I watch an NFL game and I feel like they don’t let them hit like they did last night. Of course, that probably won’t be the case in the Steelers-Ravens game tonight.
Aaron Torres: Absolutely not. We knew these were the two best defenses in college football, and they proved to be. To me, it was a thing of beauty, an out-and-out masterpiece.
The fact that LSU, a team that was averaging 39 points a game coming into this one, was held to nine, and won? Well, it shows me that what people say is true: Nobody plays defense like the SEC.
