re: How to Beat Alabama (ND Version)

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They got torched by Texas A&M and Georgia that year.

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That A&M performance was far from great but they still held them to well below their average in terms of points, yards, and ypp. I’d considered it a massive accomplishment if any of these defenses the past 3 years held the 3rd ranked offense in the nation to 29 points. Just the following year, that 2013 defense gave up 42 points and 600+ yards to A&M.

Against UGA they gave up 21 offensive points (UGA had a blocked FG return for a TD) to a team that averaged almost 38 ppg. Also held them below their seasonal averages. I know circumstances aren’t really the same but this defense held a much worse (before they had Daniels in) UGA offense to 24 points.

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Notre Dame was average in the NCG. LSU was very close and had the dramatic ending. Auburn sucked, Miss. State was average.

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As if the offenses this team played has been so much better. They should get credit for shutting ND out until basically garbage time. They should get credit for holding MSU to 7. Because that’s what no.1 defenses do. And they gave up 17 points to LSU. It’s not elite but it’s still solid. The offense deserves more blame for it being close.

That 2012 defense gets not enough credit despite finishing no.1 in the nation in total and scoring. So it’s funny when people (including many on here) absolutely gush all over that 2011 defense despite them playing FAR worse offenses.