re: Who should be more concerned after close Game 1: Bama or LSU?

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Neither. Neither team opened with a cupcake rent a win and both teams have some young players, both have new qb's and several new guys on defense

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Can't agree more. Casual perceptions aside, both games had the potential to be nightmares for the SEC teams.

Bama is currently in the "the spread is their kryptonite" mode, and they faced a potent spread/no huddle team. And yes, the hole in Saban's defense is still there; they lose their bite once he can't dictate every single play on defense. But they put up enough points to win anyway.

LSU faced Wisconsin, a bowl team with one of the best running games in the country, a huge chip on their shoulder concerning all things SEC vs Big 10, and an established superstar at running back.
To counter, LSU presented with ...a QB in his second start (and/or a freshman), a WR corps whose leader caught something like 6 passes last year (with freshmen being counted on), and a running game filled with career backups who'd had moments but never sustained success (oh yeah, and/or a freshman again).


I'd say Bama is the better team right now, while LSU should improve more over the course of the season.