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How often does a great defense actually beat a great offense?
Posted on 1/8/26 at 8:10 am
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Posted on 1/8/26 at 8:10 am
Asking for a friend.
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Posted on 1/8/26 at 8:26 am to sorantable
Generally if there is a truly great offense, it will win over the great defense. Having two great units meet is very rare
Posted on 1/8/26 at 8:44 am to sorantable
Ask Lincoln Riley
Posted on 1/8/26 at 9:08 am to sorantable
Well, a great defense can beat a great offense and still "lose" overall if the great defense doesn't have a competent offense.
You could argue that the team that lost both Alabama/Oklahoma matchups "won" defensively (outside of turnovers).
Probably the best example is the Alabama/Miami Sugar Bowl game. We had a very pedestrian offense and an amazing defense; Miami had a good defense and the best offense in the country. Alabama's defense shut them down entirely (Miami's offense only scored two FGs; the lone TD was on special teams).
You could argue that the team that lost both Alabama/Oklahoma matchups "won" defensively (outside of turnovers).
Probably the best example is the Alabama/Miami Sugar Bowl game. We had a very pedestrian offense and an amazing defense; Miami had a good defense and the best offense in the country. Alabama's defense shut them down entirely (Miami's offense only scored two FGs; the lone TD was on special teams).
Posted on 1/8/26 at 9:23 am to sorantable
A great defense with a great D-coordinator will slow down a great offense. Thus allowing their offense to get some scores and stay in the game.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 9:55 am to skrayper
quote:
We had a very pedestrian offense and an amazing defense;
The Alabama offense wasn’t pedestrian in the Sugar Bowl, at least not in the running game. They moved the ball well.
quote:
Miami had a good defense and the best offense in the country.
I don’t think this was true by the bowl season. I think FSU was better than Miami (on offense and overall) by the end of the season.
This post was edited on 1/8/26 at 9:58 am
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:35 am to sorantable
See 2003
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:40 am to prplhze2000
Miami seems to be built like the NFL Eagles. Nasty defense. Good enough offense. I’ve seen that team lose to a great offense in a Super Bowl and then beat a great offense in a Super Bowl. Guess there’s no way of knowing until you spot the ball.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:42 am to scottydoesntknow
quote:
Generally if there is a truly great offense, it will win over the great defense. Having two great units meet is very rare
Aranda smacked the dog shite out of Lamar Jackson and Louisville in 2016. Louisville's entire offense may not be considered great but Lamar was on a tear that season.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:42 am to sorantable
I would say most of the time the great defense is just really good.
I think truly great defenses can do 1 thing at an elite level: Consistent Pressure with 4.
If your DL is truely dominant you can mess up any offense
Most defenses aren’t that good on the DL.
I am think 2018 Clemson.
2021 UGA
2003 LSU
Some of those really good Bama teams for sure.
I think truly great defenses can do 1 thing at an elite level: Consistent Pressure with 4.
If your DL is truely dominant you can mess up any offense
Most defenses aren’t that good on the DL.
I am think 2018 Clemson.
2021 UGA
2003 LSU
Some of those really good Bama teams for sure.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:46 am to SammyTiger
the best offense is a GREAT offense.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:47 am to skrayper
quote:
does a great defense actually beat a great offense?
The determining factor will be if the great defensive team has a decent offense. If so, they will overwhelming majority.
If you can't be great at offense and defense, be great on defense and decent on offense.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:47 am to sorantable
I've seen a lot of great defenses eventually look mediocre because their offensive unit keeps putting them in difficult spots every game all game. So I'd say, a great defensive football team rarely wins against a great offensive football team without a lot of balance. They may win the first half, but often get worn down.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 10:48 am to tpatten
quote:
I've seen a lot of great defenses eventually look mediocre because their offensive unit keeps putting them in difficult spots every game all game.
The Ole Miss v. LSU game this year.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 11:06 am to Ingeniero
quote:
Lamar Jackson and Louisville in 2016
A one man show isnt a great offense. Great offenses: LSU 2019, Bama 2020, Nebraska 71 and 95, USC 2024
Posted on 1/8/26 at 11:08 am to scottydoesntknow
quote:
Generally if there is a truly great offense, it will win over the great defense.
Clemson over Bama twice.
LSU over Clemson.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 11:18 am to theballguy
Thank you. My friend is starting to feel a little better about the game tonight.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 11:42 am to Globetrotter747
quote:
The Alabama offense wasn’t pedestrian in the Sugar Bowl, at least not in the running game. They moved the ball well.
Jay Barker was 4-13 for 18 yards passing with 2 interceptions; if anyone had told me that'd be the case before the game, I'd have said we'd have lost by 3 TDs as opposed to winning by that many...
3 of Bama's 4 touchdowns were either scored by or set up by defensive INTs giving them short fields (31 yd drive, 20 yd drive, pick 6). Their first FG was set up by the Deuce's punt return inside the Miami 30...
While Lassic ran the ball well and their OL play was inspired, the offense was still pretty pedestrian overall (we had less than 300 yards total offense) but we did dominate time of possession with our run game...
That win was 90% defense...that was the best Bama defense I've ever seen...and one of the best ever period, I think...
Posted on 1/8/26 at 11:51 am to SammyTiger
quote:
I am think 2018 Clemson. 2021 UGA 2003 LSU Some of those really good Bama teams for sure.
Dude, 2011 LSU. Insane defense.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 11:54 am to tpatten
quote:
I've seen a lot of great defenses eventually look mediocre because their offensive unit keeps putting them in difficult spots every game all game. So I'd say, a great defensive football team rarely wins against a great offensive football team without a lot of balance. They may win the first half, but often get worn down.
2025 LSU.
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