re: Who would have won AU-LSU at the end of November, 2013?

quote:

---

Way to generalize the defense under Chavis's whole tenure based on last year.

---

Chavis gets a little too much credit here.
I think what Derek Mason and Will Muschamp's defense s have done the last two seasons when healthy is more impressive.

Offensive ineptitude is what cost Alabama the game. Alabama's success came on big plays, but Oklahoma made more big plays than Alabama. 5 turnovers for 28 points cost Alabama the game.

quote:

---

The same as LSU was lucky Auburn fumble a punt in the redzone and that they got 2 big runs on busted plays that gave them 3 TDs

---

and if my aunt had a wiener she'd be my uncle

quote:

---

Chemistry problems, and they've been fixed

---

Based on what? Hiring Lane Kiffin? Losing your biggest leaders on offense and defense?

Are you just full of shite here, like everyone assumes?

LSU has beaten Auburn 2 times at home since 2000, and both of those were Auburns only losing seasons since 2000, so to say auburn will not win this year or cant is homerish.

I realize an AU fan cannot grasp this, but Bama had won 3 of the 4 previous national titles. It's difficult to keep a team motivated to achieve at such a high level for the same reward. You'll have some down years like 2010 & 2013, comparatively. This year.......UP

quote:

---

His defenses aren't built to defeat strong running games, which 2010 and 2013 Auburn had. LSU's defense is opportunistic; they depend on making big plays to make up for the yards they yield. When they can't get big stops or make big plays, e.g. versus 2013 UGA and UA, look what happens.

---

Not entirely true, imho. His defenses do have a bad habit of slipping into bend-but-don't-break mold, granted, but the opportunistic element isn't quite as dependent on big plays as you seem to be saying. Keep in mind that last year's LSU defense was somewhat atypical of a Chavis defense. It was relatively inexperienced, for one, and they didn't have quite as many playmakers (the traditional mold of playmaker, not just any player who can tackle.) There's nothing wrong with big plays; it was just that last year, they were a bit thinner overall so it was harder to complement the big plays with normal clogging of the rushing lanes.

One thing they did have, however, was a occasionally surprisingly good pass rush toward the end of the season, iirc. Not necessarily consistent, but they were quite capable of harassing the quarterback. That, as much as anything, I think, would contribute to them actually having a better game against Auburn had they played in November. I would have to go back and watch the AU/LSU game to be sure, but I seem to recall them harassing Nick Marshall and forcing him to make quick passes for short yardage or pushing the option with mediocre results. But I may be misremembering. Too many games last season to keep them all straight.

No, you're assuming those teams had the same chemistry and motivation as the others. They didn't. Saban understands this. Listen to him. He KNEW early last season that team had problems, mentally. Listen to him this Spring, how he loves the ATTITUDE and will of this team. Talent isn't an issue with Bama. We had some attitude problems with some players and coaches last year. That has been corrected.

quote:

---

I'm far from a gump but LSU fans acting like everyone else is lucky but they are so dominate is as gump as you can get. LSU didn't shut Auburn down when they played and there is nothing to suggest they would have at the end of the season the way the 2 were playing. LSU won but you are not going to find anyone outside of LSU fans and a few Bama fans that will say LSU was the better team at the end of the year.

---

And a Vandy fan. Or, rather, I think they were about the same but I'd give LSU the edge at home. I think LSU was pretty much built to stop Auburn by the end of the season. It was the power teams that gave them fits.