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re: Which one-loss team was better? 2005 USC or 2011 LSU?
Posted on 5/18/26 at 2:17 am to Bryno1960
Posted on 5/18/26 at 2:17 am to Bryno1960
quote:
I don’t see the point in comparing them. Neither team can actually play the other, so there’s no real way to know who would win on the field to truly determine who is better.
Correct. There is no REAL way although we do have computer simulations. Like this one at www.whatifsports.com/ncaafb.
I ran the simulation 10 times on a neutral field. I set LSU to a run oriented offense and USC to a balanced style. USC won 9 out of 10 simulated games. Only the LSU win (33-30) and a single USC win (21-19) were close games; most were USC blowouts.
Feel free to go to the website listed above and run your own simulatons. Your results may turn out significantly different with some minor weather changes, styles of play, etc.
Or even changes the teams and years up to fit another game of your interest. Explore pro match-ups. Maybe even change the sport altogether. Regardless, the statistical detail is thought provoking.
This post was edited on 5/18/26 at 2:19 am
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Posted on 5/18/26 at 4:00 am to saturdaysarebetter
Did ESPN make a documentary (let alone 2) about the 2011 season?
Posted on 5/18/26 at 4:32 am to saturdaysarebetter
It is crazy that either lost at all, but 05 USC prob.
Posted on 5/18/26 at 8:18 am to AHM21
quote:
Counter - Alabama was the better team during the regular season, should’ve won and LSU knew they were fricked in a rematch.
LSU had the better setups for their kicker, and that was the difference.
Alabama had more opportunities to score, but failed to capitalize. I'm not a fan of saying that means Alabama was "better" or "worse" - we lost the game, and it was because LSU forced us to take FGs when we weren't doing well to get them from long distance. Aside from that, the teams were REALLY even in the first game:
Alabama outgained LSU by only 56 yards
Both teams had 2 turnovers (both INTs)
The difference was that Drew Allerman was better, but of his three attempts they were never longer than 30 yards; Alabama's kickers missed from 44, 50, 49 (blocked), 52. It is true that we didn't kick a punt until the 3rd quarter, but that doesn't matter when you only make 1 FG during that first half.
That was difference in the national title game. Our placekicker made 5 FGs on 7 attempts while LSU never got close enough to kick a FG.
My take:
In the first match-up the teams were pretty damned close to equal and the little things won the game, which is what happens when the two teams are so close to each other.
The second game was definitely a domination by Alabama. LSU never got a single scoring attempt in, while Alabama had 5 FGs, 1 TD, and 2 more FG attempts. Alabama was the better team in every metric except raw punting (net punting was also in Alabama's favor).
Posted on 5/18/26 at 8:35 am to LSU Patrick
quote:
quote:
LSU knew they were fricked in a rematch.
LSU knew we fricked in a rematch because Bama was a good team and got 2 chances to LSU’s 1. One would be an idiot to not understand the statistics. Thus, gumps.
So you are admitting that LSU had no chance in the NCG. I agree.
Posted on 5/18/26 at 8:47 am to saturdaysarebetter
Good question but 05 Texas barely beat usc and needed some luck (bush fumble, 4th down stop, Vince knee down) to win.
Posted on 5/18/26 at 9:29 am to LSU Patrick
quote:
got 2 chances to LSU’s 1
Did you fail math?
Posted on 5/18/26 at 10:41 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
You are completely wrong and it's not meant as a troll tread whatsoever.
Posted on 5/18/26 at 10:45 am to iglass
Shame it only goes back to 1996. Wish it went back into the '60s.
Posted on 5/18/26 at 11:07 am to saturdaysarebetter
LSU had the best defense that season. I saw them in person when they played at State. They were dominant
USC was overall more balanced as a team.
But I don’t think you can really say one was better than the other.
Different type teams for sure and I would say
1A and 1A.
USC was overall more balanced as a team.
But I don’t think you can really say one was better than the other.
Different type teams for sure and I would say
1A and 1A.
Posted on 5/18/26 at 11:14 am to Godawgs4
Bama’s defense was better by every metric
Posted on 5/18/26 at 11:22 am to saturdaysarebetter
08 Florida Gators would literally murder them...and pray for them at the same time.
Posted on 5/18/26 at 11:50 am to AHM21
quote:
Counter - Alabama was the better team during the regular season, should’ve won and LSU knew they were fricked in a rematch.
Counter to your counter - LSU and Bama were pretty evenly matched coming into the first game. LSU edged out Bama at bama, no denying who the better team was that night.
Where bama had the edge in the second game was solely Saban. Give Saban 2 months to prepare for a team that he lost to, to be able to fix his mistakes, and he will come out on top every single time.
Coaching was the difference in this game. Not the talent on the field, because both teams were insanely talented.
This post was edited on 5/18/26 at 11:53 am
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