Drive Summaries for LSU/Bama

Alabama
vs. Wisconsin
5 Tds
2 missed field goals
4 punts

vs. MTSU
5 TDS
1 missed field goal
5 punts
1 turnover on down
2 INTs

vs. Ole Miss
5 TDS
1 FG
2 punts
3 turnover on down
3 INTs

vs. ULM
4 TDS
2 FGs
6 punts
2 turnover on down
1 INT

vs. UGA
3 TDs
1 FG
6 punts
2 turnover on down
2 fumbles

vs. Arkansas
3 TDs
2 FGs
1 missed FG
5 punts
2 INTs

vs. TA&M
2 TDs
2 FGs
9 punts

vs. Tenn
2 TDs
2 FGs
4 punts
1 INT

105 drives, not counting drives that ended because of the half or end of game. Of those drives, 64 did not result in a score, or they score on 40% of all drives. Only 10 of that 64 was field goals, so when they do score, it is usually a TD (and you could also say they miss a lot of field goals, as their scoring % should have been much higher than what it was.)

LSU
vs. MSU
3 TDs
9 punts

vs. Auburn
6 TDs
1 FG
3 punts

vs. Syracuse
3 TDs
2 FGs
5 punts

vs. EMU
4 TDs
3 FGs
2 punt
1 Fumbles

vs. USC
6 TDs
1 FG
3 punts

vs. UF
5 TDs
6 punts

vs. WKU
6 TDs
1 FG
4 punts
1 fumble

LSU has only had 75 drives, 30 less than Alabama. Losing one game is not the reason, as LSU typically only has 10-12 possessions per game. In time of possession, Alabama actually has it 33 minutes a game against 32 for LSU. So both dominate the clock in games, but I think it goes to show Alabama has a more likely chance to strike fast, leading to more possessions.

But of LSU's 75 drives, only 34 did not end in a score. LSU scores on 55% of their drives. So when LSU does have the ball, they likely score. With only 8 field goals, LSU also is very successful getting into the end zone.

One thing that sticks out is the lack of turnovers for LSU and how frequent Alabama goes for it on 4th down. The "Mad Hatter" Les has not been this season, only going for it on 4th down 3 times (and converting on all 3, as Florida knows too well). Alabama has gone for it 14 times! But they only converted 6 of them. Maybe Nick Saban should be called the Mad Hatter this year. He should be for letting Lane Kiffin call the offense. For the record, Alabama ranks 85th in the nation for 4th down conversion.

Despite the lack of success on the offense, the Tide's defense has not put points on the board (well, unless you count A&M, where 3 of their 4 defensive touchdowns have come from). Though LSU's defense hasn't even did that. But they will get to play A&M at some point too, so there is hope there.

Alabama does have the better scoring defense, at 16.8 points per game. LSU is almost a touchdown behind at 22.6. LSU does have the better scoring offense at 38.5 against Bama's 33.5.

I've said it a million times but I hate Lane Kiffin's offense. He does a terrible job of play calling and does not understand the power run that Alabama should be built on.