3yardsandacloud
Administrator Emeritus
Additional Information
Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
Official School Bio - Les Miles
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Bo Pelini (Ohio State, 1990) - Defensive Coordinator
Gary Crowton (Brigham Young, 1983) - Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks
Bradley Peveto (SMU, 1987) - Special Teams Coordinator/ Linebackers
Greg Studrawa (Bowling Green, 1987) - Offensive Line
Earl Lane (Northwood Univ.) - Defensive Line
Josh Henson (Oklahoma State, 1998) - Tight Ends / Recruiting Coordinator
Doug Mallory (Michigan, 1988) - Defensive Backs
D.J. McCarthy (Washington, 1994) - Wide Receivers
Larry Porter (Memphis, 1996) - Asst. Head Coach / Running Backs
Official School Bio - Les Miles
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Bo Pelini (Ohio State, 1990) - Defensive Coordinator
Gary Crowton (Brigham Young, 1983) - Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks
Bradley Peveto (SMU, 1987) - Special Teams Coordinator/ Linebackers
Greg Studrawa (Bowling Green, 1987) - Offensive Line
Earl Lane (Northwood Univ.) - Defensive Line
Josh Henson (Oklahoma State, 1998) - Tight Ends / Recruiting Coordinator
Doug Mallory (Michigan, 1988) - Defensive Backs
D.J. McCarthy (Washington, 1994) - Wide Receivers
Larry Porter (Memphis, 1996) - Asst. Head Coach / Running Backs
Recruiting
Starters Returning: 14 (Offense 6, Defense 8, Special Teams 0)
Letterman Returning: 46 (Offense 24, Defense 20, Special Teams 2)
Notable Returners:
LT Ciron Black, LG Herman Johnson, C Brett Helms, TE Richard Dickson, RB Jacob Hester, WR Early Doucet, LE Tyson Jackson, LT Glenn Dorsey, RT Charles Alexander, BLB Ali Highsmith, MLB Darry Beckwith, WLB Luke Sanders, LCB Jonathan Zenon, RCB Chevis Jackson
Starters Lost: 9 (Offense 5, Defense 3, Special Teams 1)
Letterman Lost: 21 (Offense 9, Defense 10, Special Teams 2)
Notable Losses:
WR Craig Davis, RG Brian Johnson, RT Peter Dyakowski, WR Dwayne Bowe, QB JaMarcus Russell, RE Chase Pittman, SS Jessie Daniels, FS LaRon Landry, PK/P Chris Jackson
Incoming Recruits:
Letterman Returning: 46 (Offense 24, Defense 20, Special Teams 2)
Notable Returners:
LT Ciron Black, LG Herman Johnson, C Brett Helms, TE Richard Dickson, RB Jacob Hester, WR Early Doucet, LE Tyson Jackson, LT Glenn Dorsey, RT Charles Alexander, BLB Ali Highsmith, MLB Darry Beckwith, WLB Luke Sanders, LCB Jonathan Zenon, RCB Chevis Jackson
Starters Lost: 9 (Offense 5, Defense 3, Special Teams 1)
Letterman Lost: 21 (Offense 9, Defense 10, Special Teams 2)
Notable Losses:
WR Craig Davis, RG Brian Johnson, RT Peter Dyakowski, WR Dwayne Bowe, QB JaMarcus Russell, RE Chase Pittman, SS Jessie Daniels, FS LaRon Landry, PK/P Chris Jackson
Incoming Recruits:
LSU Tigers Past Recruiting Classes
2004 Recruiting Class
**WR Lavelle Hawkins (Edison SHS) Stockton, CA 5-11/165
**DE Tim Washington (Dulles HS) Sugar Land, TX 6-4/240
**OL Jeremy Jones (W. Jefferson HS) Harvey, LA 6-4/280
**OL P.J. Zimmerman (Jesuit HS) New Orleans, LA 6-4/220
LB Ali Highsmith (Miami Central HS) Miami, FL 6-1/225
OL Herman Johnson (Denton HS) Denton, TX 6-6.5/360
**WR Xavier Carter (Palm Bay SHS) Melbourne, FL 6-3/195
LB Harry Coleman (W. St. Mary HS) Baldwin, LA 6-0/200
OL Tyson Jackson (W. St. John HS) Edgard, LA 6-7/270
DT Marlon Favorite (W. Jefferson HS) Harvey, LA 6-3/310
WR Early Doucet (St. Martinville SHS) Saint Martinville, LA 6-1/205
LB Luke Sanders (W. Monroe HS) West Monroe, LA 6-4/219
RB Jacob Hester (Evangel Christian) Shreveport, LA 6-0/240
S Craig Steltz (Archbishop Rummel HS) Metairie, LA 6-2/202
CB Chevis Jackson (St. Pauls Episcopal School) Mobile, AL 6-1/180
DT Charles Alexander (Breaux Bridge HS) Breaux Bridge, LA 6-3/255
OL Brett Helms (Stuttgart HS) Stuttgart, AR 6-4/300
**LB Matt Stoltz (Pulaski Academy) Little Rock, AR 6-3/240
**LB E.J. Kuale (Dodge City JC) Dodge City, KS 6-3/225
OL Ryan Miller (Barbe, Alfred M, HS) Lake Charles, LA 6-5/315
DE Tremaine Johnson (Galena Park HS) Galena Park, TX 6-2.5/258
**CB Mario Stevenson (NE Mississippi JC) Booneville, MS 6-1/192
**CB Jeffery Jack (Madison HS) Houston, TX 5-9.5/171
**DT Claude Wroten (Mississippi Delta JC) Moorhead, MS 6-3/315
S Curtis Taylor (Franklinton HS) Franklinton, LA 6-3/185
OL Max Holmes (Parkview Baptist School) Baton Rouge, LA 6-4/275
TE Mit Cole (Picayune Memorial HS) Picayune, MS 6-4.5/245
LB Quinn Johnson (W. St. John HS) Edgard, LA 6-3/225
DT Glenn Dorsey (East Ascension HS) Gonzales, LA 6-3.5/285
**No Longer With Team
Fun Facts:
The LSU class of 2004 was ranked as the 2nd best class in the nation by both Scout.com and Rivals.com. Both tallies were good for the top spot in the SEC ...
The class was headlined by 5-star prospects Early Doucet (Scout.com's #1 WR), Glenn Dorsey (#2 DT), Xavier Carter (#4 WR), and JUCO DT Claude Wroten ...
The Class of 2004 was extremely productive for LSU. 13 of their current starters came from this class ...
Xavier Carter gave up his football career to focus his efforts on Track and Field. At the 2006 NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship, Carter won national titles in four events, becoming the first person to do so since Buckeye standout Jesse Owens accomplished the feat in 1935 and 1936 ...
Craig Steltz was a HS teammate of current Buckeye DT Nader Abdallah at Archbishop Rummel HS. Craig's older brother Kevin was a 3-year starter at FB for LSU ...
Ali Highsmith's cousin Alonzo was a RB for Miami and in the NFL with the Houston Oilers and Miami Dolphins. Ali originally signed with Miami but never enrolled ...
Jacob Hester is a relative of former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw ...
Herman Johnson is one of the biggest babies ever born in Louisiana. He weighed 15 lbs. 14 oz. at birth ...
2005 Recruiting Class
DE Ricky Jean-Francois (Carol City HS) Miami, FL 6-3/245
QB Ryan Perrilloux (East St. John HS) Reserve, LA 6-2/207
WR Trindon Holliday (Northeast HS) Zachary, LA 5-7/160
RB R.J. Jackson (Westside HS) Houston, TX 5-11/200
WR Brandon La Fell (Lamar HS) Houston TX 6-3/170
**DE Alfred Jones (St. Augustine HS) New Orleans, LA 6-3/240
**RB Steven Korte (Fontainebleau HS) Mandeville, LA 6-2/240
OL Ciron Black (Lee HS) Tyler, TX 6-3.5/325
**TE Kyle Anderson (The Woodlands HS) The Woodlands, TX 6-4.5/250
CB Chris Hawkins (Walker HS) Walker, LA 6-1/180
**RB Antonio Robinson (Winnfield SHS) Winnfield, LA 6-1/199
DT Lyle Hitt (Parkview Baptist School) Baton Rouge, LA 6-2/290
LB Darry Beckwith (Parkview Baptist School) Baton Rouge, LA 6-1/225
Fun Facts:
The 2005 LSU recruiting class was ranked 19th in the country by Scout.com and 22nd by Rivals.com. Scout tabbed it as the 5th best class in the SEC and Rivals ranked it as the 6th best ...
The class was headlined by 5-star prospect Ryan Perrilloux (Scout's #2 QB) and 4-star prospects Alfred Jones (#6 DE), R.J. Jackson (#10 RB), and Ricky Jean-Francois (#30 DE) ...
Ryan Perrilloux was named the National Offensive Player of the Year for 2005 by USA Today. Ryan was originally committed to Texas before switching to LSU on signing day ...
Trindon Holliday was the national runner-up in the 100-meter dash in the 2007 NCAA Championships after clocking a time of 10.06 seconds in the final ...
2006 Recruiting Class
RB Keiland Williams (Hargrave Military) Chatham, VA 6-0/225
**DT Charles Deas (Boyd H. Anderson HS) Lauderdale Lakes, FL 6-4/326
WR Chris Mitchell (Ehret, John HS) Marrero, LA 6-1/185
CB Jai Eugene (Destrehan HS) Destrehan, LA 5-10.5/185
WR Jared Mitchell (Westgate HS) New Iberia, LA 5-11/195
WR Ricky Dixon (East St. John HS) Reserve, LA 6-1.5/203
**OL Phil Loadholt (Garden City JC) Garden City, KS
**LB Derrick Odom (Callaway SHS) Jackson, MS 6-2/205
**OL Steven Singleton (Buford HS) Buford, GA 6-2.5/293
**S Jason Teague (Carthage HS) Carthage, TX 6-2/190
**OL Zhamal Thomas (New Iberia SHS) New Iberia, LA 6-4/315
OL Mark Snyder (West Monroe HS) West Monroe, LA 6-7/275
TE Richard Dickson (Ocean Springs HS) Ocean Springs, MS 6-3.5/238
DE J.D. Lott (Briarwood Christian HS) Birmingham, AL 6-4/212
LB Perry Riley (Stephenson HS) Stone Mountain, GA 6-0/210
LB Kelvin Sheppard (Stephenson HS) Stone Mountain, GA 6-2/222
**S Troy Giddens (Hammond HS) Hammond, LA 6-0.5/205
RB Charles Scott (Jonesboro-Hodge HS) Jonesboro, LA 6-0/220
S Danny McCray (Westfield HS) Houston, TX 6-1/205
RB Richard Murphy (Rayville HS) Rayville, LA 6-1/193
LB Shomari Clemons (West Monroe HS) West Monroe, LA 6-2/205
DT Al Woods (Elton HS) Elton, LA 6-4/327
DE Lazarius Levingston (Ruston HS) Ruston, LA 6-3/252
LB Jacob Cutrera (Acadiana HS) Lafayette, LA 6-4/225
OL Matt Allen (Klein Collins HS) Klein, TX 6-2.5/278
Fun Facts:
The LSU class of 2006 was rated at the nation's 7th best by both Scout.com and Rivals.com. Both sites rated it as the 3rd best class in the SEC ...
The class was headlined by 5-star prospects Jai Eugene (Scout's #1 CB), Al Woods (#2 DT), and Keiland Williams (#3 RB) ...
Jai Eugene originally committed to Michigan at the Army All-American Bowl before inking with LSU on signing day ...
Perry Riley and Kelvin Sheppard were part of one of the nation's best LB core at Stephenson HS with teammate Marcus Ball, who signed with Florida St ...
2007 Recruiting Class
S Chad Jones (Southern University Lab School) Baton Rouge, LA 6-3/232
WR Terrance Toliver (Hempstead HS) Hempstead, TX 6-4.5/195
S Stefoin Francois (East St. John HS) Reserve, LA 6-0/190
DE Sidell Corley (McGill-Toolen HS) Mobile, AL 6-4/250
WR Demetrius Byrd (Pearl River JC) 6-2/195
DT Will Blackwell (West Monroe HS) West Monroe, LA 6-4/290
WR Ron Brooks (MacArthur HS) Irving, TX 6-0/170
DT Joseph Barksdale (Cass Tech) Detroit, MI 6-5.5/315
CB Phelon Jones (McGill-Toolen HS) Mobile, AL 6-0/190
DT Drake Nevis (Ehret, John HS) Marrero, LA 6-2/290
OT Jarvis Jones (Lamar Cons HS) Rosenberg, TX 6-6/250
OT Ernest McCoy (Glades Central HS) Belle Glade, FL 6-5/330
C T-Bob Hebert (Greater Atlanta Christian School) Norcross, GA 6-3/265
K Josh Jasper (Ridgeway HS) Memphis, TN 6-0/165
K Andrew Crutchfield (NW Cabarrus HS) Concord, NC 6-0/175
OT Josh Dworaczyk (Catholic HS) New Iberia, LA 6-6/265
TE Alex Russian (Round Rock HS) Round Rock, TX 6-4/220
**CB Delvin Breaux (McDonogh 35 SHS) New Orleans, LA 6-0/185
TE Jordan Corbin (Lakeland SHS) Lakeland, FL 6-4/225
QB Jarrett Lee (Brenham HS) Brenham, TX 6-3/190
**WR DeAngelo Benton (Bastrop HS) Bastrop, LA 6-3/195
TE Mitch Joseph (Catholic HS) New Iberia, LA 6-4.5/230
FB Stevan Ridley (Trinity Episcopal) Natchez, MS 6-1/220
DT Kentravis Aubrey (Bastrop HS) Bastrop, LA 6-3/285
CB John Williams (Breaux Bridge HS) Breaux Bridge, LA 5-10/175
Fun Facts:
The LSU class of 2007 was ranked 5th in the country by Scout.com and 4th in the country by Rivals.com. Both sites placed it as the 3rd best class in the SEC ...
The class was headlined by 5-star prospects Chad Jones (Scout's #1 S), Terrance Toliver (#1 WR), Joseph Barksdale (#4 DT), and JUCO WR Demetrius Byrd ...
Chad Jones was drafted in the 13th round of the 2007 Amateur Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros, but didn't sign. He plans on playing baseball for the Tigers this spring. He is the younger brother of LSU DE Rahim Alem ...
Demetrius Byrd originally signed with Florida International after High School ...
Ron Brooks's father Anthony played for the Chicago Bears in 1993 ...
Phelon Jones's brother Tiger plays for the New Orleans Voodoo in the Arena Football League, while his other brother Carvel is a LB at Troy. His cousin is Robert McCune, a former Louisville and current Washington Redskins' LB ...
T-Bob Hebert is the son of former New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Bobby Hebert ...
John Williams is the cousin of former LSU and Houston Texans running back Domanick Williams (Davis) ...
2004 Recruiting Class
**WR Lavelle Hawkins (Edison SHS) Stockton, CA 5-11/165
**DE Tim Washington (Dulles HS) Sugar Land, TX 6-4/240
**OL Jeremy Jones (W. Jefferson HS) Harvey, LA 6-4/280
**OL P.J. Zimmerman (Jesuit HS) New Orleans, LA 6-4/220
LB Ali Highsmith (Miami Central HS) Miami, FL 6-1/225
OL Herman Johnson (Denton HS) Denton, TX 6-6.5/360
**WR Xavier Carter (Palm Bay SHS) Melbourne, FL 6-3/195
LB Harry Coleman (W. St. Mary HS) Baldwin, LA 6-0/200
OL Tyson Jackson (W. St. John HS) Edgard, LA 6-7/270
DT Marlon Favorite (W. Jefferson HS) Harvey, LA 6-3/310
WR Early Doucet (St. Martinville SHS) Saint Martinville, LA 6-1/205
LB Luke Sanders (W. Monroe HS) West Monroe, LA 6-4/219
RB Jacob Hester (Evangel Christian) Shreveport, LA 6-0/240
S Craig Steltz (Archbishop Rummel HS) Metairie, LA 6-2/202
CB Chevis Jackson (St. Pauls Episcopal School) Mobile, AL 6-1/180
DT Charles Alexander (Breaux Bridge HS) Breaux Bridge, LA 6-3/255
OL Brett Helms (Stuttgart HS) Stuttgart, AR 6-4/300
**LB Matt Stoltz (Pulaski Academy) Little Rock, AR 6-3/240
**LB E.J. Kuale (Dodge City JC) Dodge City, KS 6-3/225
OL Ryan Miller (Barbe, Alfred M, HS) Lake Charles, LA 6-5/315
DE Tremaine Johnson (Galena Park HS) Galena Park, TX 6-2.5/258
**CB Mario Stevenson (NE Mississippi JC) Booneville, MS 6-1/192
**CB Jeffery Jack (Madison HS) Houston, TX 5-9.5/171
**DT Claude Wroten (Mississippi Delta JC) Moorhead, MS 6-3/315
S Curtis Taylor (Franklinton HS) Franklinton, LA 6-3/185
OL Max Holmes (Parkview Baptist School) Baton Rouge, LA 6-4/275
TE Mit Cole (Picayune Memorial HS) Picayune, MS 6-4.5/245
LB Quinn Johnson (W. St. John HS) Edgard, LA 6-3/225
DT Glenn Dorsey (East Ascension HS) Gonzales, LA 6-3.5/285
**No Longer With Team
Fun Facts:
The LSU class of 2004 was ranked as the 2nd best class in the nation by both Scout.com and Rivals.com. Both tallies were good for the top spot in the SEC ...
The class was headlined by 5-star prospects Early Doucet (Scout.com's #1 WR), Glenn Dorsey (#2 DT), Xavier Carter (#4 WR), and JUCO DT Claude Wroten ...
The Class of 2004 was extremely productive for LSU. 13 of their current starters came from this class ...
Xavier Carter gave up his football career to focus his efforts on Track and Field. At the 2006 NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship, Carter won national titles in four events, becoming the first person to do so since Buckeye standout Jesse Owens accomplished the feat in 1935 and 1936 ...
Craig Steltz was a HS teammate of current Buckeye DT Nader Abdallah at Archbishop Rummel HS. Craig's older brother Kevin was a 3-year starter at FB for LSU ...
Ali Highsmith's cousin Alonzo was a RB for Miami and in the NFL with the Houston Oilers and Miami Dolphins. Ali originally signed with Miami but never enrolled ...
Jacob Hester is a relative of former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw ...
Herman Johnson is one of the biggest babies ever born in Louisiana. He weighed 15 lbs. 14 oz. at birth ...
2005 Recruiting Class
DE Ricky Jean-Francois (Carol City HS) Miami, FL 6-3/245
QB Ryan Perrilloux (East St. John HS) Reserve, LA 6-2/207
WR Trindon Holliday (Northeast HS) Zachary, LA 5-7/160
RB R.J. Jackson (Westside HS) Houston, TX 5-11/200
WR Brandon La Fell (Lamar HS) Houston TX 6-3/170
**DE Alfred Jones (St. Augustine HS) New Orleans, LA 6-3/240
**RB Steven Korte (Fontainebleau HS) Mandeville, LA 6-2/240
OL Ciron Black (Lee HS) Tyler, TX 6-3.5/325
**TE Kyle Anderson (The Woodlands HS) The Woodlands, TX 6-4.5/250
CB Chris Hawkins (Walker HS) Walker, LA 6-1/180
**RB Antonio Robinson (Winnfield SHS) Winnfield, LA 6-1/199
DT Lyle Hitt (Parkview Baptist School) Baton Rouge, LA 6-2/290
LB Darry Beckwith (Parkview Baptist School) Baton Rouge, LA 6-1/225
Fun Facts:
The 2005 LSU recruiting class was ranked 19th in the country by Scout.com and 22nd by Rivals.com. Scout tabbed it as the 5th best class in the SEC and Rivals ranked it as the 6th best ...
The class was headlined by 5-star prospect Ryan Perrilloux (Scout's #2 QB) and 4-star prospects Alfred Jones (#6 DE), R.J. Jackson (#10 RB), and Ricky Jean-Francois (#30 DE) ...
Ryan Perrilloux was named the National Offensive Player of the Year for 2005 by USA Today. Ryan was originally committed to Texas before switching to LSU on signing day ...
Trindon Holliday was the national runner-up in the 100-meter dash in the 2007 NCAA Championships after clocking a time of 10.06 seconds in the final ...
2006 Recruiting Class
RB Keiland Williams (Hargrave Military) Chatham, VA 6-0/225
**DT Charles Deas (Boyd H. Anderson HS) Lauderdale Lakes, FL 6-4/326
WR Chris Mitchell (Ehret, John HS) Marrero, LA 6-1/185
CB Jai Eugene (Destrehan HS) Destrehan, LA 5-10.5/185
WR Jared Mitchell (Westgate HS) New Iberia, LA 5-11/195
WR Ricky Dixon (East St. John HS) Reserve, LA 6-1.5/203
**OL Phil Loadholt (Garden City JC) Garden City, KS
**LB Derrick Odom (Callaway SHS) Jackson, MS 6-2/205
**OL Steven Singleton (Buford HS) Buford, GA 6-2.5/293
**S Jason Teague (Carthage HS) Carthage, TX 6-2/190
**OL Zhamal Thomas (New Iberia SHS) New Iberia, LA 6-4/315
OL Mark Snyder (West Monroe HS) West Monroe, LA 6-7/275
TE Richard Dickson (Ocean Springs HS) Ocean Springs, MS 6-3.5/238
DE J.D. Lott (Briarwood Christian HS) Birmingham, AL 6-4/212
LB Perry Riley (Stephenson HS) Stone Mountain, GA 6-0/210
LB Kelvin Sheppard (Stephenson HS) Stone Mountain, GA 6-2/222
**S Troy Giddens (Hammond HS) Hammond, LA 6-0.5/205
RB Charles Scott (Jonesboro-Hodge HS) Jonesboro, LA 6-0/220
S Danny McCray (Westfield HS) Houston, TX 6-1/205
RB Richard Murphy (Rayville HS) Rayville, LA 6-1/193
LB Shomari Clemons (West Monroe HS) West Monroe, LA 6-2/205
DT Al Woods (Elton HS) Elton, LA 6-4/327
DE Lazarius Levingston (Ruston HS) Ruston, LA 6-3/252
LB Jacob Cutrera (Acadiana HS) Lafayette, LA 6-4/225
OL Matt Allen (Klein Collins HS) Klein, TX 6-2.5/278
Fun Facts:
The LSU class of 2006 was rated at the nation's 7th best by both Scout.com and Rivals.com. Both sites rated it as the 3rd best class in the SEC ...
The class was headlined by 5-star prospects Jai Eugene (Scout's #1 CB), Al Woods (#2 DT), and Keiland Williams (#3 RB) ...
Jai Eugene originally committed to Michigan at the Army All-American Bowl before inking with LSU on signing day ...
Perry Riley and Kelvin Sheppard were part of one of the nation's best LB core at Stephenson HS with teammate Marcus Ball, who signed with Florida St ...
2007 Recruiting Class
S Chad Jones (Southern University Lab School) Baton Rouge, LA 6-3/232
WR Terrance Toliver (Hempstead HS) Hempstead, TX 6-4.5/195
S Stefoin Francois (East St. John HS) Reserve, LA 6-0/190
DE Sidell Corley (McGill-Toolen HS) Mobile, AL 6-4/250
WR Demetrius Byrd (Pearl River JC) 6-2/195
DT Will Blackwell (West Monroe HS) West Monroe, LA 6-4/290
WR Ron Brooks (MacArthur HS) Irving, TX 6-0/170
DT Joseph Barksdale (Cass Tech) Detroit, MI 6-5.5/315
CB Phelon Jones (McGill-Toolen HS) Mobile, AL 6-0/190
DT Drake Nevis (Ehret, John HS) Marrero, LA 6-2/290
OT Jarvis Jones (Lamar Cons HS) Rosenberg, TX 6-6/250
OT Ernest McCoy (Glades Central HS) Belle Glade, FL 6-5/330
C T-Bob Hebert (Greater Atlanta Christian School) Norcross, GA 6-3/265
K Josh Jasper (Ridgeway HS) Memphis, TN 6-0/165
K Andrew Crutchfield (NW Cabarrus HS) Concord, NC 6-0/175
OT Josh Dworaczyk (Catholic HS) New Iberia, LA 6-6/265
TE Alex Russian (Round Rock HS) Round Rock, TX 6-4/220
**CB Delvin Breaux (McDonogh 35 SHS) New Orleans, LA 6-0/185
TE Jordan Corbin (Lakeland SHS) Lakeland, FL 6-4/225
QB Jarrett Lee (Brenham HS) Brenham, TX 6-3/190
**WR DeAngelo Benton (Bastrop HS) Bastrop, LA 6-3/195
TE Mitch Joseph (Catholic HS) New Iberia, LA 6-4.5/230
FB Stevan Ridley (Trinity Episcopal) Natchez, MS 6-1/220
DT Kentravis Aubrey (Bastrop HS) Bastrop, LA 6-3/285
CB John Williams (Breaux Bridge HS) Breaux Bridge, LA 5-10/175
Fun Facts:
The LSU class of 2007 was ranked 5th in the country by Scout.com and 4th in the country by Rivals.com. Both sites placed it as the 3rd best class in the SEC ...
The class was headlined by 5-star prospects Chad Jones (Scout's #1 S), Terrance Toliver (#1 WR), Joseph Barksdale (#4 DT), and JUCO WR Demetrius Byrd ...
Chad Jones was drafted in the 13th round of the 2007 Amateur Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros, but didn't sign. He plans on playing baseball for the Tigers this spring. He is the younger brother of LSU DE Rahim Alem ...
Demetrius Byrd originally signed with Florida International after High School ...
Ron Brooks's father Anthony played for the Chicago Bears in 1993 ...
Phelon Jones's brother Tiger plays for the New Orleans Voodoo in the Arena Football League, while his other brother Carvel is a LB at Troy. His cousin is Robert McCune, a former Louisville and current Washington Redskins' LB ...
T-Bob Hebert is the son of former New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Bobby Hebert ...
John Williams is the cousin of former LSU and Houston Texans running back Domanick Williams (Davis) ...
Behind the Numbers
You don't get into your sport's championship game without differentiating yourself from the competition. In most sports, differentiating yourself simply means winning playoff games. In college football, it means winning a metaphorical, season-long beauty contest. Not there is anything wrong with that, but that is where we are.
As with any beauty contest, metaphorical or literal, the winner(s) is/are in the eye of the beholder. The historical standard of value in this beauty contest is the absence of blemishes; which, in the case of college football come in the form of losses. But when there are no flawless (BCS) teams by this standard; every poll voter, every computer, and indeed every fan is left to his/her/its own standard of value.
Some prefer to look at the quality of wins. Some prefer to examine the ugliness of the loss(es). Still others, strange as it sounds, actually watch the games and trust what they see. But this last method only works if you really know the game, and if you really understand the effects of playing surface and weather etc.
And even people who use this last method come to different conclusions. Some base their opinion on a team's best performance and some on its worst. Some put more weight on offense and some on defense. And which of these bases is used for whom is often based on affiliation rather than an objective standard of value.
All of this leads to the type of nation-wide argument that we are having now. No one agrees on everything, few agree on anything and everyone declares that any standard of value apart from their own is ridiculous or worse.
What this has to do with numbers:
Most people use numbers to support their arguments. The same people, often in the same breath, will turn around and tell someone else that you can't rely on numbers because statistics can be tendentious. That may not be the way they say it, but that's what they mean. Some will even go so far as to say that statistics are always biased because of the inequality in the level of competition (Brennan vs. Tebow, anyone?).
This is of course, taking it too far. Numbers can be tendentious. But steps can be taken, numerically, to account for the quality of competition. The method we use here to differentiate teams from one another is called Differential Statistical Analysis, and that is what it does. DSA differentiates teams based on how they perform against each team compared to how other teams performed against the same competition.
While traditional statistics simply count your yards and points, DSA counts them and then divides them by the average that your opponents gain/allow vs. everyone else they play. So while traditional statistics compare you only to your own schedule, DSA compares you to the schedule of every one of your opponents. With traditional stats a team is compared to 12-13 opponents; with DSA a team is compared to 80-100 other teams. (DSA eliminates all games against lower-division opponents; otherwise the number of comparisons would be higher.)
The result of this evening-out of the playing field is exactly what a savvy fan would expect. Teams that dominate weaker conferences sink in the standings while teams with tougher schedules rise. Hawaii may rank 4[sup]th[/sup] in the nation in scoring according to the NCAA, but they are 13[sup]th[/sup] according to DSA. This is right about where they should be in the minds of most knowledgeable fans.
As we will see, DSA proves that the Buckeyes and the Tigers are right about where they should be too. It will be shown how DSA differentiates these two teams from the 117 runners-up. Then DSA and other methods will be used to show the differences between the two that really matter: the two who will play for the championship.
LSU Tigers
So many people are missing the point with LSU. So many are complaining that the two best teams aren't in the Championship Game. But the Tigers are not here because of how good they were at the end of the regular season. They are here because of how good they were early in the season; and how good they are expected to be when they get healthy.
That LSU dominated early in the season isn't a disputed point, but one has to wonder if people remember how good they looked. The numbers have certainly not forgotten, and they will still tell that story if only we bother to look at them.
Defense
While a more dramatic story might be told if we looked at only the first 6 games, excluding the debacle vs. Kentucky, it is more instructive to compare LSU's defensive statistics for their first 8 games vs. their last 5. This effectively compares the games that Glenn Dorsey started healthy to those that he did not. The Auburn-chop-block game is included in the first group only to ensure that the analysis is seen as not biased in the Tigers' favor.
Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA)
Our first venture into DSA will be to examine LSU's Differential Scoring Defense (DSD). DSD divides a team's Scoring Defense by their opponents' average scoring offense. It is a solid measure of how good a team is at keeping their opponents from scoring, compared to everyone else their opponents played.
LSU DSD:
First 8 Games: 52%
Last 5 Games: 95%
Season Average: 68%... National Rank: 10
In other words, in their first 8 games, LSU held their opponents to 52% of the points that those teams averaged in their other games. As a comparison, Auburn finished the 2007 season at #2 in DSD, giving up 57% of opponents' average scoring on the year.Last 5 Games: 95%
Season Average: 68%... National Rank: 10
Then Auburn Chop-Blocked Glen Dorsey. With the 95% DSD of their last 5 games, they sit between the season-long averages of California and Colorado (#54). Without the chop-block, the LSU Tigers, not the Auburn Tigers, would be the #2 team in the nation in DSD; and it wouldn't be all that close.
Next up is Differential Total Defense. DTD is Total Defense divided by your opponents' average Total Offense.
LSU DTD:
First 8 Games: 61%
Last 5 Games: 95%
Season Average: 74%... National Rank: 4
USC is the season-long #2 in DTD at 66%. One can surmise that LSU would be #2 in both DTD as well as DSD if they had remained healthy.Last 5 Games: 95%
Season Average: 74%... National Rank: 4
But Auburn Chop-Blocked Glen Dorsey. With the 95% DTD of their last 5 games, they sit between the season-long averages of Illinois and Texas A&M (#42).
Next up is Differential Rushing Defense. DRD is Rushing Defense divided by your opponents' average Rushing Offense.
LSU DRD:
First 8 Games: 46%
Last 5 Games: 89%
Season Average: 63%... National Rank: 11
Oregon State (yes, the Beavers) is (are) the season-long #2 in DRD at 49%. Presumably LSU would be #2 in DRD as well, if not for...Last 5 Games: 89%
Season Average: 63%... National Rank: 11
Auburn Chop-Blocking Glen Dorsey. With the 89% DRD of their last 5 games, they sit between the season-long averages of New Mexico and Tulane (#43).
Final and foremost is Differential Pass Efficiency Defense. DPED is what it sounds like (If you don't get it by now, you're not still reading this).
LSU DPED:
First 8 Games: 69%
Last 5 Games: 84%
Season Average: 75%... National Rank: 1
In case you're wondering: Yes, you read that right. LSU is #1 in Differential Pass-Efficiency Defense in spite of the injury plague.Last 5 Games: 84%
Season Average: 75%... National Rank: 1
Did we mention that Auburn Chop-Blocked Glen Dorsey? With the 84% DPED rating of their last 5 games, they sit between the season-long averages of Rutgers and Auburn (#10), which is still very good.
The only remaining question about the LSU defense is how healthy they will be on January 7th. If they are anywhere near 100%, this will be the toughest defense Ohio State has faced in years.
Offense
As for the LSU offense, there was no drop-off over the last 5 games. But you already knew that didn't you?
In fact, the amazing thing about the LSU offense is that they failed to score more points than their opponent's typically surrender only one time, in the SEC-CG vs Tennessee. "Remarkably consistent" doesn't fully describe this offense. They were remarkably and consistently dominant.
In addition to their consistency, they managed to rank #3 in the nation in Differential Scoring Offense; posting 54% more points (on average) than their opponents typically gave up to everyone else.
Only Florida and Missouri ranked above LSU in DSO, and neither of them were anywhere in the vicinity of LSU defensively. In fact, if you consider offense and defense combined; the match-up provided by the BCS looks better than ever.
Differential Scoring Composite (DSC)
The most effective way to analyze offense and defense together is to distill them to a single number. What we do with Differential Statistical Analysis is to take DSO and divide it by DSD. This gives an indication of how powerful a team is at scoring and at keeping the other team from doing the same, and it provides it in a single number that broadly corrects for quality of competition. We call the number the Differential Scoring Composite (DSC) and it shows LSU at #4, with only Oklahoma and West Virginia (among the runners-up) ranking ahead of LSU.
But going back and analyzing DSC for the BCB, ACB split (Before Chop-Block, After Chop-Block):
First 8 Games: 2.91
Last 5 Games: 1.66
Season Average: 2.26... National Rank: 4
Last 5 Games: 1.66
Season Average: 2.26... National Rank: 4
Oklahoma (2.47) checked in at #2 in DSC. So it's really this simple: LSU was clearly the #2 team in the country according to DSC, then Auburn chop-blocked Glenn Dorsey (Had we mentioned that before?). If he's even close to healthy on January 7th, the BCS got this one right; and it's not even close.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Making the case for the Buckeyes' place in the Championship Game doesn't require any parsing of the season or other complication of the statistics. DSA paints a pretty clear picture of the reason Ohio State is here; and those who have followed the Buckeyes this season will not be surprised that it is all about defense.
Traditional Stats & DSA for the Ohio State Defense
With offensive numbers that are, for the most part, little better than average; Ohio State needs incredible defensive statistics to make a numerical case for a spot in the BCS-CG. Fortunately, that is exactly what they have.
Category__Number__Rank____Best_of_Rest
SD________11.091___1______15.583..Utah
DSD_________38.0%__1_______57.2%..Auburn
TD________229.73___1______258.83..USC-west
DTD_________56.0%__1_______66.4%..USC-west
RD_________76.36___2_______68.00..BC[sup]#1[/sup]
DRD_________40.7%__1_______48.7%..Oregon_St
PD________153.36___1______161.58..Notre_Dame_(seriously)
DPD_________68.8%__1_______75.4%..USC-west
PE_________93.72___1_______94.11..Utah
DPE_________76.4%__2_______74.7%..LSU[sup]#1[/sup]
Where:
SD________11.091___1______15.583..Utah
DSD_________38.0%__1_______57.2%..Auburn
TD________229.73___1______258.83..USC-west
DTD_________56.0%__1_______66.4%..USC-west
RD_________76.36___2_______68.00..BC[sup]#1[/sup]
DRD_________40.7%__1_______48.7%..Oregon_St
PD________153.36___1______161.58..Notre_Dame_(seriously)
DPD_________68.8%__1_______75.4%..USC-west
PE_________93.72___1_______94.11..Utah
DPE_________76.4%__2_______74.7%..LSU[sup]#1[/sup]
Where:
SD = Scoring Defense (Points Per Game)
DSD = Differential Scoring Defense
TD = Total Defense (Yards Per Game)
DTD = Differential Total Defense
RD = Rushing Defense (Yards Per Game)DRD = Differential Rushing Defense
PD = Passing Defense (Yards Per Game)DPD = Differential Passing Defense
PE = Passing Efficiency Defense (Efficiency Points)
DPD = Differential Passing Efficiency Defense
DSD = Differential Scoring Defense
TD = Total Defense (Yards Per Game)
DTD = Differential Total Defense
RD = Rushing Defense (Yards Per Game)DRD = Differential Rushing Defense
PD = Passing Defense (Yards Per Game)DPD = Differential Passing Defense
PE = Passing Efficiency Defense (Efficiency Points)
DPD = Differential Passing Efficiency Defense
DSC, Ohio State: 3.113
Best of the Rest: 2.473 (Oklahoma)
...and #3 West Virginia is at 2.442. Clearly, Ohio State's dominance on defense is sufficient to secure a legitimate claim on their spot in the Championship Game. The only team that is even close to Ohio State, statistically, is the pre-chop-block LSU team.Best of the Rest: 2.473 (Oklahoma)
Having made the case that both of these teams deserve to be right where they are, let us look deeper into the numbers to see where we can draw distinctions between the two.
The Match-Up -- Offenses
As we have already taken a cursory look at each team's defense, let's first disect the offenses.
Team_________OSU_______LSU
Games_________11________13
Pts__________346_______503
SO________31.455____38.692
rank__________35________12
Games_________11________13
Pts__________346_______503
SO________31.455____38.692
rank__________35________12
DSO________118.3%____154.1%
rank__________35_________3
rank__________35_________3
TO_______395.273___448.154
rank__________59________21
rank__________59________21
DTO________101.2%____120.7%
rank__________52________13
rank__________52________13
RO_______206.182___218.923
rank__________15________11
rank__________15________11
DRO________137.6%____149.0%
rank__________13_________9
rank__________13_________9
PO_______189.091___229.231
rank__________97________53
rank__________97________53
DPO_________78.6%____102.2%
rank__________95________45
rank__________95________45
PE_______144.860___131.523
rank__________13________42
rank__________13________42
DPE________113.1%____109.7%
__rank________20________28
__rank________20________28
Where:
Clearly, LSU has the superior offense. The only statistics where the Buckeyes have a numerical advantage are Passing Efficiency and Differential Passing Efficiency; and even here, the DPE numbers show that the difference is really not significant.SO = Scoring Offense (Points Per Game)
DSO = Differential Scoring Offense
TO = Total Offense (Yards Per Game)
DTO = Differential Total Offense
RO = Rushing Offense (Yards Per Game)
DRD = Differential Rushing Offense
PO = Passing Offense (Yards Per Game)
DPO = Differential Passing Offense
PE = Passing Efficiency (Efficiency Points)
DPE = Differential Passing Efficiency
Note: As stated previously, all games vs. lower division teams have been eliminated. OSU's stats here and elsewhere are thus based on their 11 games against top-division teams. For the same reason, the National Rankings shown in this table and others might be different from those seen elsewhere.DSO = Differential Scoring Offense
TO = Total Offense (Yards Per Game)
DTO = Differential Total Offense
RO = Rushing Offense (Yards Per Game)
DRD = Differential Rushing Offense
PO = Passing Offense (Yards Per Game)
DPO = Differential Passing Offense
PE = Passing Efficiency (Efficiency Points)
DPE = Differential Passing Efficiency
Accounting for Tressel-Ball
This is where the analysis ends for most people. But the most knowledgable fans will point out that the primary weakness of offensive statistics is that they don't account for differences in style. Some coaches and their offenses put relentless pressure on the opposing defense on every possession of the season, regardless of the situation. Others will button up the offense and allow a dominating defense to win games for them. As the latter approach has acquired the name "Tressel-Ball", it stands to reason that this difference in style should be analyzed.
One way to account for stylistic differences is to determine how effective each offense is at scoring when scoring is necessary. The relevant question is: How good are you at scoring when the score is tied or when you are trailing? To put it more concisely: Can you score when the game is "in-doubt"? Further, how does this compare to how often you score the rest of the time?
The following table attempts to answer those questions. It shows:
Possessions: Total possessions against DI-A teams, minus the meaningless End-of-Half possessions where there was no legitimate opportunity to score.
% Scores: Total Touchdowns and Field-Goals divided by Total Possessions
% Touchdowns: Total Touchdowns divided by Total Possessions
Poss. In-Doubt: Number of possessions started when the score is tied or when trailing
Poss. w/ Lead: Number of possessions started with a lead
Team_______________OSU________LSU
Possessions________134________170
% Scores_________44.03%______50.59%
% TD_____________32.09%______35.88%
Poss. In-Doubt______30__________76
% Scores_________53.33%______52.63%
% TD_____________43.33%______36.84%
Possessions________134________170
% Scores_________44.03%______50.59%
% TD_____________32.09%______35.88%
Poss. In-Doubt______30__________76
% Scores_________53.33%______52.63%
% TD_____________43.33%______36.84%
Poss. w/ Lead______104__________94
% Scores_________41.35%______48.94%
% TD_____________28.85%______35.11%
% Scores_________41.35%______48.94%
% TD_____________28.85%______35.11%
As you can see, LSU was not significantly more likely to score when the game was in doubt than they were during any of their other possessions. On the other hand, Tressel-Ball is clearly evident in the other column. Ohio State was 28% more likely to score when trailing or tied, and was 50% more likely to score a touchdown when the game was in doubt. More to the point, while LSU scored more frequently overall; Ohio State scored more frequently with the game in doubt than did the Tigers.
There are other factors in play, and this analysis is not meant to imply that Ohio State is offensively superior to Louisiana State. But it is clear that the difference between the two is much less dramatic when one accounts for Tressel-Ball.
Un-Tressel-Like
But there is one aspect of Tressel-Ball where the Buckeyes have been lacking this year, and we would be remiss to not mention it. One of the purposes for buttoning up the offense when the team has a lead is to protect the ball. Or at least everyone assumes that is one of the purposes. But the Buckeyes are no better at protecting the ball when they have a lead than when they don't.
The following table shows the % of turnovers with respect to possessions for both teams.
Team_______________OSU________LSU
% Turnovers______13.43%______8.82%
% TO: In-Doubt___13.33%______5.26%
% TO: w/ Lead____13.46%_____11.70%
Not only is LSU 34% less likely to turn the ball over than the Buckeyes, but is also over 60% less likely to turn the ball over when they don't have a lead. What is most interesting about the Tigers is how having the game in-doubt seems to focus them. While they are not significantly more likely to score, they are 55% better at taking care of the ball when they are tied or trailing. For the Buckeyes, there is no significant difference.% Turnovers______13.43%______8.82%
% TO: In-Doubt___13.33%______5.26%
% TO: w/ Lead____13.46%_____11.70%
As if being more likely to turn the ball over weren't bad enough, Ohio State's quarterback seems to feel more pressure from the scoreboard than he does from opposing defensive ends. While the LSU quarterbacking tandem is slightly less likely to end a possession with an interception when they are trailing; Todd Boeckman is 6 TIMES more likely to throw a pick when the Buckeyes are behind on the scoreboard. Of the 10 possessions that the Buckeyes started when trailing on the scoreboard (excluding the meaningless "possessions" at the end of the first halves against Washington and Illinois), Todd ended 4 of them with interceptions.
Admittedly, this is a bit of an oversimplification. In spite of the dramatic nature of the numbers, it is entirely possible that correlation is not necessarily causation here.
Like many quarterbacks, Todd tends to throw his interceptions in bunches with long periods of solid play between them. Half of his interceptions came in two games, games where he was confused by the defense. If Todd starts out hot, he tends to stay hot. So with 50+ days to watch film and prepare, one can hope that Tressel will have Todd ready to take care of The Rock in The Big Easy.
The bottom line is, both of these teams are very good at scoring when they believe scoring is necessary. And they are both very good at taking care of the ball, most of the time. As we have already seen separately, they are also very good on the defensive side of the ball. Let us now compare them side-by-side.
The Match-Up -- Defenses
First, the numbers, both traditional and differential:
Team________________OSU__________LSU
Games________________11___________13
Pts_________________122__________255
SD_______________11.091_______19.615
rank__________________1___________15
Games________________11___________13
Pts_________________122__________255
SD_______________11.091_______19.615
rank__________________1___________15
DSD________________38.0%________68.1%
rank__________________1___________10
rank__________________1___________10
TD_______________229.73_______283.85
rank__________________1____________3
rank__________________1____________3
DTD________________56.0%________74.1%
rank__________________1____________4
rank__________________1____________4
RD________________76.36_______103.08
rank__________________2___________14
rank__________________2___________14
DRD________________40.7%________63.3%
rank__________________1___________11
rank__________________1___________11
PD_______________153.36_______180.77
rank__________________1___________11
rank__________________1___________11
DPD________________68.8%________82.0%
rank__________________1___________13
rank__________________1___________13
PE________________93.72________96.12
rank__________________1____________3
rank__________________1____________3
DPE________________76.4%________74.7%
rank__________________2____________1
rank__________________2____________1
While the Tigers were very good in spite of having been banged up much of the season, the Buckeyes were truly outstanding in spite of having been banged up for much of the season. Ohio State's season long numbers, including the all-important differential numbers, are better than the LSU Before-Chop-Block numbers; but not so much better that one can easily surmise that Ohio State is a better team.
Possession by Possession
While this round clearly goes to the Buckeyes, we must dig deeper to draw a distinction between the two teams. First, let's look at each team possession by possession.
Team____________________OSU__________LSU
Opp. Poss.______________140__________168
% Scores______________14.29%_______25.00%
% TD__________________10.71%_______19.05%
% Punt________________66.43%_______47.02%
% Turnover____________12.86%_______19.64%
Opp. Poss.______________140__________168
% Scores______________14.29%_______25.00%
% TD__________________10.71%_______19.05%
% Punt________________66.43%_______47.02%
% Turnover____________12.86%_______19.64%
In short, on any given possession, opponents are:
- 75% more likely to score on LSU than on OSU
- 78% more likely to score a TD on LSU than on OSU
- 41% more likely to punt when playing OSU
- 53% more likely to turn the ball over when playing LSU
First Downs
Considering who is wearing the sweater vest on the OSU side of the field, and that OSU would not be where they are if losing the turnover battle were a foregone conclusion, let us continue with analysis of one of the secondary goals of the defense. To wit, let's consider 1st downs.
The following tables show each team's ability to prevent first downs AND, in a new development, produced for the first time ever on this special occassion, differential first downs. In other words, the second of the following tables shows how far each team holds their opponents below their opponents' average first down production. The National Top-10 are shown in each table to give the comparison a richer context.
First Downs Allowed
Rank__Team__________1st Downs
1_____Ohio St.______13.09
2_____VT____________16.17
3T____Clemson_______16.18
3T____GT____________16.18
5_____USC-West______16.33
6_____Auburn________16.36
7_____WVU___________16.42
8_____Oregon St.____16.45
9_____LSU___________16.46
10____Virginia______17.00
1_____Ohio St.______13.09
2_____VT____________16.17
3T____Clemson_______16.18
3T____GT____________16.18
5_____USC-West______16.33
6_____Auburn________16.36
7_____WVU___________16.42
8_____Oregon St.____16.45
9_____LSU___________16.46
10____Virginia______17.00
Differential First Downs Allowed
Rank__Team______________Diff. 1st Downs
1_____Ohio St.__________60.4%
2_____Auburn____________77.6%
3_____Oklahoma__________79.2%
4_____Oregon St.________79.5%
5_____USC-West__________81.0%
6_____LSU_______________81.5%
7_____Kansas____________81.6%
8_____Michigan__________81.9%
9_____West Virginia_____83.2%
10____Virginia Tech_____83.8%
1_____Ohio St.__________60.4%
2_____Auburn____________77.6%
3_____Oklahoma__________79.2%
4_____Oregon St.________79.5%
5_____USC-West__________81.0%
6_____LSU_______________81.5%
7_____Kansas____________81.6%
8_____Michigan__________81.9%
9_____West Virginia_____83.2%
10____Virginia Tech_____83.8%
I believe the words you're searching for are, "Holy Crap". Yes, Ohio State is better than LSU at preventing first downs. But then, the Buckeyes are better than everybody at preventing first downs... a LOT better. And just as with the scoring of points, if you create a composite statistic for Differential First Downs, Ohio State is number one by a significant margin. Perhaps this would be a good place to show those numbers, along with composites of the other major statistics.
The Match-Up -- Composite Statistics
While we're on the subject, let's start out with Differential First Downs. This number is produced by dividing Differential First Downs by Differential First Downs Allowed.
Rank__Team______________1DC
1_____Ohio St.__________1.698
2_____Clemson___________1.476
3_____Missouri__________1.473
4_____BYU_______________1.469
5_____Kansas____________1.442
6_____LSU_______________1.390
7_____Oregon____________1.367
8_____WVU_______________1.339
9_____Houston___________1.338
10____Michigan__________1.314
Ohio State is number one by a margin equivalent to the gap between #2 and #19 (Penn State). While this firmly establishes OSU as a 1st Down Producing and Preventing Machine without peer, their is one other way to look at 1st down production that draws Ohio State in sharper relief with LSU than any other method.1_____Ohio St.__________1.698
2_____Clemson___________1.476
3_____Missouri__________1.473
4_____BYU_______________1.469
5_____Kansas____________1.442
6_____LSU_______________1.390
7_____Oregon____________1.367
8_____WVU_______________1.339
9_____Houston___________1.338
10____Michigan__________1.314
Third Downs
Specifically, one can create a 3rd down effectiveness composite statistic that shows a bigger difference between the Buckeyes and Tigers than any other number one can define. There are several ways of creating such a composite. The most common would be to simply look at 3rd down conversion percentage, but this number is uniquely tendentious as it can favor a team that seldom forces opponents into 3rd down situations.
The method chosen here is to look at the number of 3rd down failures. By tracking the number of times that each team prevented an opponent from converting a 3rd down opportunity, and subtracting from it the number of times that they themselves failed on 3rd down, a composite can be produced that says a great deal about the team: not just their strength, but their personality. Here are the numbers for the Buckeyes and Tigers, with 3rd down failures defined as "misses":
Team____________OSU_____LSU
Opp. Misses_____131_____121
Own Misses_______89_____112
Difference_______42_______9
Clearly, the Buckeyes have been "money" on 3rd Down this year; the Tigers... not so much. Just as the Buckeyes must avoid turnovers, the Tigers would do well to avoid 3rd Down.Opp. Misses_____131_____121
Own Misses_______89_____112
Difference_______42_______9
Other Differential Composites
Next we have passing efficiency. The Differential Pass Efficiency Composite is produced by dividing Differential Pass Efficiency by Differential Pass Efficiency Defense.
Rank__Team______________DPEC
1_____Ohio St.__________1.482
2_____Oklahoma__________1.478
3_____Florida___________1.470
4_____LSU_______________1.469
5_____VT________________1.392
6_____Missouri__________1.366
7_____South Fla.________1.366
8_____WVU_______________1.359
9_____Clemson___________1.353
10____Arkansas__________1.349
1_____Ohio St.__________1.482
2_____Oklahoma__________1.478
3_____Florida___________1.470
4_____LSU_______________1.469
5_____VT________________1.392
6_____Missouri__________1.366
7_____South Fla.________1.366
8_____WVU_______________1.359
9_____Clemson___________1.353
10____Arkansas__________1.349
Here is the one category where sane Buckeye fans must admit that LSU with a healthy Glenn Dorsey is the best Offense/Defense Passing Team in the country, at least when measured by passing efficiency. How big the gap might be is anyone's guess.
But then there is the running game. Differential Rushing Composite (say it with me) is Differential Rushing Offense divided by Differential Rushing Defense.
Rank__Team______________DRC
1_____Ohio St.________3.378
2_____WVU_____________2.799
3_____Oregon St.______2.582
4_____Illinois________2.542
5_____LSU_____________2.353
6_____USC-West________2.349
7_____Penn St.________2.307
8_____Oregon__________2.174
9_____Air Force_______2.157
10____Texas___________2.145
In DRC, there is a bigger gap between OSU and LSU than between LSU and Pittsburgh. While LSU would be ranked higher than anyone else with a healthy Dorsey, they would still fall short of the Buckeyes, who themselves had injury issues on the defensive line.1_____Ohio St.________3.378
2_____WVU_____________2.799
3_____Oregon St.______2.582
4_____Illinois________2.542
5_____LSU_____________2.353
6_____USC-West________2.349
7_____Penn St.________2.307
8_____Oregon__________2.174
9_____Air Force_______2.157
10____Texas___________2.145
Next we have DYC, which does for Total Yardage what DRC does for Rushing Yardage.
Rank__Team________________DYC
1_____Ohio St.__________1.809
2_____LSU_______________1.630
3_____USC-West__________1.615
4_____WVU_______________1.565
5_____BYU_______________1.549
6_____Clemson___________1.445
7_____Oklahoma__________1.443
8_____Missouri__________1.440
9_____Kansas____________1.388
10____Florida___________1.387
1_____Ohio St.__________1.809
2_____LSU_______________1.630
3_____USC-West__________1.615
4_____WVU_______________1.565
5_____BYU_______________1.549
6_____Clemson___________1.445
7_____Oklahoma__________1.443
8_____Missouri__________1.440
9_____Kansas____________1.388
10____Florida___________1.387
Here again, in spite of Tressel-ball, we see Ohio State dominating the differential numbers. All that is left is to show the composite number for scoring, DSC.
Rank__Team________________DSC
1_____Ohio St.__________3.113
2_____Oklahoma__________2.473
3_____WVU_______________2.442
4_____LSU_______________2.263
5_____Kansas____________2.222
6_____Missouri__________2.063
7_____South Fla.________2.029
8_____Florida___________2.010
9_____VT________________1.999
10____USC-West__________1.913
1_____Ohio St.__________3.113
2_____Oklahoma__________2.473
3_____WVU_______________2.442
4_____LSU_______________2.263
5_____Kansas____________2.222
6_____Missouri__________2.063
7_____South Fla.________2.029
8_____Florida___________2.010
9_____VT________________1.999
10____USC-West__________1.913
Here, with the most important of all stats, we see a bigger gap between Ohio State and #2 than between #2 and #12 (Penn State).
Many numbers and paragraphs ago, it was shown that the BCB (Before-Chop-Block) Tigers had a DSC of 2.91. That is not as good as the Buckeyes, but still much better than anyone else.
Battle Tested
Much has been made of the fact that LSU has played a tougher schedule than OSU. While differential analysis can go a long way in correcting for strength of schedule, it cannot account for the fact that LSU is more familiar with the feeling of being in a dog-fight than are the Buckeyes.
Recall that Todd Boeckman was 6 times more likely to throw an interception when trailing. If the same had been true of the LSU quarterbacks, LSU would not be in this game. They might not even be in a bowl game at all.
While OSU started 10 possessions when trailing on the scoreboard, LSU's offense took the field with fewer points on the board than the other team 49 times. In terms of percentage, the Buckeyes got the ball when trailing 7.5% of the time, LSU 28.8% of the time.
Crunch Time
It wasn't just the number of times they trailed, it wasn't just the percentage of the time that they trailed; it was also when the Tigers trailed that prepared them for a championship-type game.
In four different games this season the Tigers took the field on their last possession of the game needing a score to win (or have a chance to win). If you include the overtime possessions, that is 8 possessions where they took the field knowing that they needed to score.
The Buckeye offense, in stark contrast, only took the field once this season needing to score to win. That was early in the fourth quarter of the Illinois game. They had no idea that they wouldn't get the ball again. When you get right down to it, they never took the field knowing that they needed to score.
Crunch Time
It wasn't just the number of times they trailed, it wasn't just the percentage of the time that they trailed; it was also when the Tigers trailed that prepared them for a championship-type game.
In four different games this season the Tigers took the field on their last possession of the game needing a score to win (or have a chance to win). If you include the overtime possessions, that is 8 possessions where they took the field knowing that they needed to score.
The Buckeye offense, in stark contrast, only took the field once this season needing to score to win. That was early in the fourth quarter of the Illinois game. They had no idea that they wouldn't get the ball again. When you get right down to it, they never took the field knowing that they needed to score.
Bottom Line: It is inarguable that the Tigers were better prepared by their season for this type of game. Whether Jim Tressel can prepare his team through coaching alone remains to be seen.
Conclusion
While this look behind the numbers has shed light on the championship game, while it has shown that both Buckeye and Tiger fans can rest assured that their team has earned a rightful place in this game, while it has shown that the Buckeyes are much better on paper than people believe, and maybe even better than the Tigers: all of this means nothing if one team or the other doesn't show up.
The underdog wins this game more often than not, often because the favorite plays less than their best game. A case could be made that 6 of the last 9 losers of this game performed well below expectations.
Both teams know this history, and both have laid claim to being this game's underdog. Las Vegas favors the Tigers, but many LSU fans are claiming the title because they are #2.
Who can blame them? In 4 of the last 5 years, #2 has won this game outright, twice in blow-outs and once while a 2-touchdown underdog (ah... memories).
So the question of who will win this game will be answered by the teams themselves. It will be answered in their minds long before they step into the SuperDome. It will be answered in the weight room, in the film room, in the coaches offices and on the practice field. The question is being answered right now, but no one yet knows what the answer is.
The answer will be apparent when we see:
- Is Glenn Dorsey healthy?
- Is LSU overconfident?
- Is Todd Boeckman prepared and taking care of the ball?
- Is Ohio State ready for a tough game?
- Is Ohio State performing as expected on 3rd Down?
We'll know that this will be one for the ages.
The Lighter Side
2007 didn't begin particularly well for Buckeye fans. After having watched the Buckeyes dominate virtually everyone they played in 2006, the guys laid an egg in Glendale getting shellacked by Florida. The 2006 Buckeyes were legitimate pre-season favorites to win the National Title last year, and with the exception of actually winning it, they met our expectations all season long. Now, if I had told you on January 9th that the Buckeyes, losing virtually every single offensive skill player, will return to the Championship game in New Orleans this season, you would have quite rightfully called me a ridiculous homer. Sure, we all WANT Ohio State to end up playing for all the marbles. But, expecting the same? No. In 2006 it's fair to say it was the expectation. In 2007, most of us would have been happy with a 2 or 3 loss season as long as there were wins over Michigan and the Bowl. But, lookie there. Here we are, on the eve of another Championship shot. Two years in a row. A "rebuilding" year. And here we are. If there are any people out there who doubt Jim Tressel at this point, you're in need of more help than any amount of medication can afford you. It is a great time to be a Buckeye. It's as if Ohio State was something of a dynasty.
In the BCS era the media has anointed at least four teams the "dynasty" moniker. Let's examine each in turn.
The 1998 - 2000 Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles, playing in the absurdly weak ACC, found their way to the Title Game three straight years to begin the BCS era. After 40 years as an independent, Florida State joined the ACC, beginning play in 1992. How much better was Florida State than their ACC brethren? Florida State did not lose a league game until 1995 when they lost to Tiki Barber's Virginia Cavaliers by 5. It would take another 3 years for Florida State to lose in conference again, to NC State in 1998. Then, the Seminoles went on to win every conference game through 2000. Think about that. That is an ACC record of 70-2 for nine years. The next best ACC team in that time frame was the North Carolina Tar Heels who went a combined 71-36, some 25 games worse than Florida State overall. While the Seminoles' closest competition over this frame, Carolina did not manage to beat Florida State even one time and were outscored a combined 305 to 90 in head to head match-ups. True college football enjoyed a different media landscape in those years, but no one questioned the vast superiority of Florida State. No one looked in to the conference they were playing in, declaring it weak, and thereby docking Florida State's unquestioned ACC Dominance. Unlike Ohio State, that is, the ACC's weakness - as it relates to the present "down" Big Ten - was hardly a knock on Florida State.
Enter the BCS era. As mentioned above, the Seminoles had absolutely zero league competition and this was equally true in the years 1998, 1999, 2000 in which the Seminoles went 23-1, 34-4 overall, with two of those losses coming in the BCS Championship game. What was the Seminole's "punishment" for being 1-1 in two BCS games? A pre-season #2 rating in 2000. After losing to Oklahoma in 2000 were the Seminoles docked for losing 2 BCS Championship games in 3 years? Not at all. Hyped up as a dynasty, the Seminoles enjoyed a pre-season ranking of 6 in 2001 and of course remained prohibitive favorites to win the ACC again.
Compare that with Ohio State. The Buckeyes have dominated the Big Ten in similar ways to Florida State's dominance, winning 2 outright conference titles and tying for another. In the conference in 2005 the Buckeyes lost only to Penn State, in 2006 they were undefeated and this past season the only league loss was to Illinois. A combined league record in three years of 22-2 and an overall record of 34-4, the same as the "dominant" Florida State Seminoles. If we assume the Big Ten was as weak during these years and the pundits tell us, there is no reason to not treat the Buckeyes in the same manner as Florida State was treated when they were beating up a mediocre conference. Ohio State, coming off a BCS Championship game record of 1-1 was treated to a preseason ranking outside of the top 10. True, the Seminoles were coming off a win and the Buckeyes a loss. But, again I ask, do you hear anyone calling the current Buckeyes a dynasty? Or, do you hear the pundits making every possible excuse to exclude them from such a tag? The Big Ten is weak. The Buckeyes are slow. The Buckeyes can't defend the spread. They were "lucky" in 2002. They "should have" lost to Purdue in 2002, Illinois in 2006. Fact: Ohio State is as dominant as the 1998-2000 Seminoles dynasty.
The Seminoles dynasty was ended by the Oklahoma Sooners whom we will examine shortly. First, we need to address the "dynasty" the separates Florida State and Oklahoma.
2001 - 2002 Miami Hurricanes
You remember these guys, I'm sure of it. What you might have forgotten, due to the changed landscape of college football, is that the Hurricanes dominated the fantastically awful Big East. Remember that? Some numbers:
In these two years, the Canes were a combined 24-1. The lone loss coming to our beloved Buckeyes one glorious January day. If you think real hard, you'll probably remember the game. In Ohio State's consecutive years in the Title game, 2006 and 2007, the Buckeyes are 23-2. Not quite the same, but I don't see an appreciable difference. Do you?
The Canes did not lose a conference game in these two years. Indeed, going back to the beginning of 1999 the Canes dropped only one conference game in the Big Least, to Virginia Tech, their only notable competition. Recall that 99 Hokie club went on to the Title game. Even while it was no secret among pundits that the Big East was truly awful, no one considered this a particular knock against the Canes in 2002, who like the 2007 Buckeyes were turning their undermanned foes into grease spots. Again, the "weak" Big Ten is an alleged knock on the Buckeyes, despite the fact that in both 2006 and 2007 the Big Ten has had 2 BCS Bowl participants (Ohio State, Michigan and Ohio State, Illinois) while the Big East in the relevant years sent only their Champion, Miami.
What were they saying about Miami in 2002? Too fast for the Buckeyes. 3 TD victory at least. No way Ohio State can stay close, the Hurricanes are just too good and could probably beat some NFL teams. And, of course, the Buckeyes proved to be faster than the Canes, a TD better, and ended up putting more players in the NFL. Do the pundits remember this? Nope. They remember a late flag while ignoring the several that were not thrown which may well have ended the game in Regulation. Regardless, what was Miami's punishment for dominating a weak conference and losing to a foe they should have demolished? A 2003 pre-season ranking of 3.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes, who returned several key players including quarterback and the go to receiver Mike Jenkins and freshman sensation Maurice Clarett, were ranked pre-season #2 behind the Oklahoma Sooners.
The 2000, 2003-2004 Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners provide us with such a close correlation to Ohio State's present run that even Beano Cook would see it if he bothered to open his eyes once in a while. Consider:
2000 - The Sooners, like Ohio State in 2002, was given virtually no chance to beat their competition. OU turned this negative hype in to a 13-2 beating of the then unbeatable Seminoles.
Yes, but what of Strength of Schedule?
In 2002 OU opponents were a combined: 65 - 65. Not exactly "Notre-Dame-Esque"
How about 2003?
Get this, OU played North Texas, 4-9 Alabama (whom the Sooners only beat by a TD), Fresno State and 6-7 UCLA. Not exactly a gauntlet. Oh, as for the Big XII opponents combined record: 49-51, excluding the Big XII Championship game (Rematch with Kansas State) and the 2003 BCS championship game. I exclude these games because Ohio State does not get the benefit of a "Championship caliber" opponent one week after the season, and the Bowl Game is a wash as between both, since each opponent is a relative power.
What was the media's reaction to this weak conference, and unimpressive schedule? To call the 2003 Sooners, "The greatest team of all time" all week before the Big XII Championship Game against Kansas State. Now then, how powerful was OU in terms of media hype? Kansas State handed OU it's behind 35-7. Surely the Media would react to this embarrassment. React they did, dropping OU a whole 2 spots in the polls. USC was number 1, LSU 2 and OU three. As we'll discuss below, the truth is this was an effort to get USC in to the title game which backfired. For those of you saying "Hey, you can't have it both ways" I say, "Yes, I can. Deal with it." Then, the "Greatest Team of All Time" became the "greatest team of all time to lose it's final two games and not fall below #3 in the final rankings," oddly enough a spot in FRONT of Ohio State which had the same 11-2 record and which had crushed the very same KSU team that beat the Sooners. Yes yes, OU was a dynasty. Soon, it would become USC's title, but for the moment, it was all OU. Like Ohio State in 2006, while lacking the "greatest team of all time" moniker, the Sooners were getting a break by having to play LSU, it should have been USC. Remember? The Buckeyes of course, were given a break by having to play a Florida team which seemed pretty unimpressive, winning some very close games against some meager schools, like South Carolina. Naturally, both LSU and Florida won. OU's 2004 punishment? A pre-season #2 rating.
And 2004 saw OU make a repeat appearance. Now, since OU was already a dynasty and USC somehow managed to get credit for a Title they did not play for, this game was billed as a Clash of the Titans of epic proportions. These teams were so evenly matched, there was no question that the game would be one of the best games of all time. We would be telling our grandchildren about this one. USC 55 OU 19. I doubt I'll be telling my grandchildren about it. Unless they ask why in the heck OU was so unbelievably over hyped while OSU has not been. Lets see, 55 - 19 = 36 points. Meanwhile 41-14 = 27 points. No question the Big XII is vastly weaker than the Pac 10 and OU a fraud, right?
Well, if you consider Texas being rated #2 and OU rated #7 (and 5.. yes 5, in the coaches poll) pre-season as disrespect, then sure. Ohio State and the entire Big Ten is considered a fraud owing to the Buckeye's 27 point loss to the Gators, while the Big XII was "legit" even after getting smoked by USC. I get it. Very fair. No media bias at all. (Bear in mind also, that in 2003 one media idiot made no bones about refusing to give OSU a vote in his poll because he didn't agree with the way OSU dealt with Maurice Clarett in 2003. Nope. No evidence of bias.) By the way, OU lost their first game in 2005, to TCU. Yet, they parlayed their 8-4 record in to a 22nd place finish nationally and a 2006 pre-season rating of 10.
Incidentally, haven't we been told that WVU is a national player in various years past precisely because the Big East is weak? What's up with that? Enjoying high pre-season rankings because of the assumption they'll be undefeated. And, of course, they never followed through. I digress ... On to SC.
2003 - 2005 USC Trojans
The case of the USC Trojans represents the most bizarre. We'll begin with 2003.
As I'm certain even our LSU visitors will agree, USC did not win the 2003 title. It would seem to me, in order to win the Title in the BCS era, you should be required to play in the BCS Title game. I recall even Pete Carroll mentioning this when he accepted a bid to play in the Rose Bowl that year saying "It's the system we have. We're excited to be playing in the Rose Bowl." But, the AP would not be dissuaded. USC, they determined, was the National Champion. Why? Athletes. USC has so many, even if they didn't win every game, even if they didn't play for it, they must be Champion.
In 2003 USC beat teams with a combined 85 - 77, when we include Rose Bowl opponent Michigan's 10-3. Excluding the bowl opponent, SC played a schedule which was a combined 75-74. SC lost to 8-6 Cal. The Pac 10 opponent's combined record? 44 - 56. Did the weak Pac 10 prevent SC from earning any status? Hardly.
Enter 2004. How was SC's 2004 schedule? A combined 70 - 69 before playing OU for all the marbles. The Pac 10 opponents were a combined 51 - 53. Surely this weakness establishes that SC was a fraud. Oh, no. All we had to do to know how great SC was was look at their stable of RBs, their Heisman Winning QB Carson Palmer, their unstoppable wideouts. SC was no fraud. True, Ohio State is a fraud in 2007 because of it's desperately weak schedule, but not SC in 2004. No sir. Incidentally, Ohio State's opponents combined 2007 W/L record? 75 - 72. Counting LSU's current record it's 86 - 74. Pretty weak, indeed. And what of the "weak" Big Ten, what is the combined record of Big Ten opponent's faced by the Buckeyes in 2007? 57 - 42. It's hard to comprehend exactly how Ohio State managed to put together such a ridiculously soft schedule.
True, there is little dispute that the 2004 Trojans were indeed an excellent team. And, of course, this reputation was parlayed in to a pre-season #1 ranking in 2005. After all, they returned essentially all of their offensive play makers. Recall, 2003 Ohio State, returning the same, was AP #2. Hardly a bad ranking, to be sure, but I don't recall anyone assuming OSU would end up playing for it all in 2003, like SC was getting. In fact, while it was obvious SC would walk the floor with everyone, Ohio State 2003 had no chance to even win the Big Ten, let alone the Title. As fate would have it, Ohio State was a win against Michigan away from playing for the Title, finishing #4 in the nation when all was said and done.
As you no doubt recall, the 2005 Trojans firmly established that they were simply unbeatable. The unequivocal greatest team ever. Do yourself a favor and watch the Trojans, because you'll never see a more talented bunch. Hand them the Trophy. True, Texas is "ok" and all, but seriously, we're talking about SC here. They played a schedule which had a record of 75 - 65 (Not bad, actually slightly more impressive than Ohio State's 2007 schedule.) Even the Pac 10 opponents were reasonably good, going a combined 57-48. On this resume, SC was playing for it's 3rd consecutive national title, despite the fact that they only actually had their hands on one. And then, of course, Texas won.
So, to punish the Trojans they were rated pre-season #6 in 2006 earning 3 first place votes in the AP. Despite a 10 - 2 2006 records which included losses to Oregon State and UCLA, SC found it's way to a final rank of 4 and a pre-season 2007 rank of #1. And how great is SC? Well, even though they lost to Stanford, who was playing with a back up QB, there are those who would have us believe they're the "hottest team right now" like that has any meaning at all. Never mind SC has beaten only 2 teams with a winning record this year, playing a grand total of 3 teams who are better than .500. They're still the greatest. Well, unless you count 11-2 LSU.
In 7 years at USC, Pete Carroll is 75-14 and has played for two National Titles. In 7 Years at Ohio State, Jim Tressel is 73-15 and playing for his third Title, and for the second season in a row. How does a team get to successive Title games? Talent. Coaching. That's how. Ohio State has plenty.
Sure, LSU isn't a fraud. But, one wonders why, in light of Ohio State becoming the 3rd team to ever play for 3 Titles, against similar schedules and in similar conferences as the former "Dynasty" teams how OSU is the dog here. One wonders why the media forces Oh and 8 against the SEC down our throats. How they call us "Slowhio State" how some pundits, despite NFL Drafts to the contrary, insist OSU doesn't have enough athletes. And then, of course, you have Chief Idiot in Charge Mark May saying "the Hat" is the difference maker as against Tressel. So ridiculous it defies comment.
I don't know that being called a dynasty is a good thing. Indeed, every team which had the moniker lost when it "shouldn't have" That would even include our Buckeyes from 2006 who, while not referred to as such, were at least given credit for being incredibly good and prohibitive favorites. But, the facts don't lie. Since 2002, Ohio State has played for 3 Titles, and was a win away from playing for 4. In 2002 Ohio State ended rated 1, in 2003 they ended 4th, in 2005 they ended 4th, 2006 they ended 2. They are presently rated #1. They have lost a grand total of 4 games in 3 years, tops in the nation. Is that a Dynasty? Nope. Keep this in mind, fair readers. Ohio State is Lucky. They are slow. They have no chance of winning, and shouldn't even really be in this game considering their weak schedule. Ohio State can put as many players in the NFL as it wants, but that doesn't change the fact that they're all stiffs. You know it, and it's time to admit it.
It is for these reasons, folks, that I don't watch pundits any more.
Go Bucks! Beat LSU!
In the BCS era the media has anointed at least four teams the "dynasty" moniker. Let's examine each in turn.
The 1998 - 2000 Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles, playing in the absurdly weak ACC, found their way to the Title Game three straight years to begin the BCS era. After 40 years as an independent, Florida State joined the ACC, beginning play in 1992. How much better was Florida State than their ACC brethren? Florida State did not lose a league game until 1995 when they lost to Tiki Barber's Virginia Cavaliers by 5. It would take another 3 years for Florida State to lose in conference again, to NC State in 1998. Then, the Seminoles went on to win every conference game through 2000. Think about that. That is an ACC record of 70-2 for nine years. The next best ACC team in that time frame was the North Carolina Tar Heels who went a combined 71-36, some 25 games worse than Florida State overall. While the Seminoles' closest competition over this frame, Carolina did not manage to beat Florida State even one time and were outscored a combined 305 to 90 in head to head match-ups. True college football enjoyed a different media landscape in those years, but no one questioned the vast superiority of Florida State. No one looked in to the conference they were playing in, declaring it weak, and thereby docking Florida State's unquestioned ACC Dominance. Unlike Ohio State, that is, the ACC's weakness - as it relates to the present "down" Big Ten - was hardly a knock on Florida State.
Enter the BCS era. As mentioned above, the Seminoles had absolutely zero league competition and this was equally true in the years 1998, 1999, 2000 in which the Seminoles went 23-1, 34-4 overall, with two of those losses coming in the BCS Championship game. What was the Seminole's "punishment" for being 1-1 in two BCS games? A pre-season #2 rating in 2000. After losing to Oklahoma in 2000 were the Seminoles docked for losing 2 BCS Championship games in 3 years? Not at all. Hyped up as a dynasty, the Seminoles enjoyed a pre-season ranking of 6 in 2001 and of course remained prohibitive favorites to win the ACC again.
Compare that with Ohio State. The Buckeyes have dominated the Big Ten in similar ways to Florida State's dominance, winning 2 outright conference titles and tying for another. In the conference in 2005 the Buckeyes lost only to Penn State, in 2006 they were undefeated and this past season the only league loss was to Illinois. A combined league record in three years of 22-2 and an overall record of 34-4, the same as the "dominant" Florida State Seminoles. If we assume the Big Ten was as weak during these years and the pundits tell us, there is no reason to not treat the Buckeyes in the same manner as Florida State was treated when they were beating up a mediocre conference. Ohio State, coming off a BCS Championship game record of 1-1 was treated to a preseason ranking outside of the top 10. True, the Seminoles were coming off a win and the Buckeyes a loss. But, again I ask, do you hear anyone calling the current Buckeyes a dynasty? Or, do you hear the pundits making every possible excuse to exclude them from such a tag? The Big Ten is weak. The Buckeyes are slow. The Buckeyes can't defend the spread. They were "lucky" in 2002. They "should have" lost to Purdue in 2002, Illinois in 2006. Fact: Ohio State is as dominant as the 1998-2000 Seminoles dynasty.
The Seminoles dynasty was ended by the Oklahoma Sooners whom we will examine shortly. First, we need to address the "dynasty" the separates Florida State and Oklahoma.
2001 - 2002 Miami Hurricanes
You remember these guys, I'm sure of it. What you might have forgotten, due to the changed landscape of college football, is that the Hurricanes dominated the fantastically awful Big East. Remember that? Some numbers:
In these two years, the Canes were a combined 24-1. The lone loss coming to our beloved Buckeyes one glorious January day. If you think real hard, you'll probably remember the game. In Ohio State's consecutive years in the Title game, 2006 and 2007, the Buckeyes are 23-2. Not quite the same, but I don't see an appreciable difference. Do you?
The Canes did not lose a conference game in these two years. Indeed, going back to the beginning of 1999 the Canes dropped only one conference game in the Big Least, to Virginia Tech, their only notable competition. Recall that 99 Hokie club went on to the Title game. Even while it was no secret among pundits that the Big East was truly awful, no one considered this a particular knock against the Canes in 2002, who like the 2007 Buckeyes were turning their undermanned foes into grease spots. Again, the "weak" Big Ten is an alleged knock on the Buckeyes, despite the fact that in both 2006 and 2007 the Big Ten has had 2 BCS Bowl participants (Ohio State, Michigan and Ohio State, Illinois) while the Big East in the relevant years sent only their Champion, Miami.
What were they saying about Miami in 2002? Too fast for the Buckeyes. 3 TD victory at least. No way Ohio State can stay close, the Hurricanes are just too good and could probably beat some NFL teams. And, of course, the Buckeyes proved to be faster than the Canes, a TD better, and ended up putting more players in the NFL. Do the pundits remember this? Nope. They remember a late flag while ignoring the several that were not thrown which may well have ended the game in Regulation. Regardless, what was Miami's punishment for dominating a weak conference and losing to a foe they should have demolished? A 2003 pre-season ranking of 3.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes, who returned several key players including quarterback and the go to receiver Mike Jenkins and freshman sensation Maurice Clarett, were ranked pre-season #2 behind the Oklahoma Sooners.
The 2000, 2003-2004 Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners provide us with such a close correlation to Ohio State's present run that even Beano Cook would see it if he bothered to open his eyes once in a while. Consider:
2000 - The Sooners, like Ohio State in 2002, was given virtually no chance to beat their competition. OU turned this negative hype in to a 13-2 beating of the then unbeatable Seminoles.
Yes, but what of Strength of Schedule?
In 2002 OU opponents were a combined: 65 - 65. Not exactly "Notre-Dame-Esque"
How about 2003?
Get this, OU played North Texas, 4-9 Alabama (whom the Sooners only beat by a TD), Fresno State and 6-7 UCLA. Not exactly a gauntlet. Oh, as for the Big XII opponents combined record: 49-51, excluding the Big XII Championship game (Rematch with Kansas State) and the 2003 BCS championship game. I exclude these games because Ohio State does not get the benefit of a "Championship caliber" opponent one week after the season, and the Bowl Game is a wash as between both, since each opponent is a relative power.
What was the media's reaction to this weak conference, and unimpressive schedule? To call the 2003 Sooners, "The greatest team of all time" all week before the Big XII Championship Game against Kansas State. Now then, how powerful was OU in terms of media hype? Kansas State handed OU it's behind 35-7. Surely the Media would react to this embarrassment. React they did, dropping OU a whole 2 spots in the polls. USC was number 1, LSU 2 and OU three. As we'll discuss below, the truth is this was an effort to get USC in to the title game which backfired. For those of you saying "Hey, you can't have it both ways" I say, "Yes, I can. Deal with it." Then, the "Greatest Team of All Time" became the "greatest team of all time to lose it's final two games and not fall below #3 in the final rankings," oddly enough a spot in FRONT of Ohio State which had the same 11-2 record and which had crushed the very same KSU team that beat the Sooners. Yes yes, OU was a dynasty. Soon, it would become USC's title, but for the moment, it was all OU. Like Ohio State in 2006, while lacking the "greatest team of all time" moniker, the Sooners were getting a break by having to play LSU, it should have been USC. Remember? The Buckeyes of course, were given a break by having to play a Florida team which seemed pretty unimpressive, winning some very close games against some meager schools, like South Carolina. Naturally, both LSU and Florida won. OU's 2004 punishment? A pre-season #2 rating.
And 2004 saw OU make a repeat appearance. Now, since OU was already a dynasty and USC somehow managed to get credit for a Title they did not play for, this game was billed as a Clash of the Titans of epic proportions. These teams were so evenly matched, there was no question that the game would be one of the best games of all time. We would be telling our grandchildren about this one. USC 55 OU 19. I doubt I'll be telling my grandchildren about it. Unless they ask why in the heck OU was so unbelievably over hyped while OSU has not been. Lets see, 55 - 19 = 36 points. Meanwhile 41-14 = 27 points. No question the Big XII is vastly weaker than the Pac 10 and OU a fraud, right?
Well, if you consider Texas being rated #2 and OU rated #7 (and 5.. yes 5, in the coaches poll) pre-season as disrespect, then sure. Ohio State and the entire Big Ten is considered a fraud owing to the Buckeye's 27 point loss to the Gators, while the Big XII was "legit" even after getting smoked by USC. I get it. Very fair. No media bias at all. (Bear in mind also, that in 2003 one media idiot made no bones about refusing to give OSU a vote in his poll because he didn't agree with the way OSU dealt with Maurice Clarett in 2003. Nope. No evidence of bias.) By the way, OU lost their first game in 2005, to TCU. Yet, they parlayed their 8-4 record in to a 22nd place finish nationally and a 2006 pre-season rating of 10.
Incidentally, haven't we been told that WVU is a national player in various years past precisely because the Big East is weak? What's up with that? Enjoying high pre-season rankings because of the assumption they'll be undefeated. And, of course, they never followed through. I digress ... On to SC.
2003 - 2005 USC Trojans
The case of the USC Trojans represents the most bizarre. We'll begin with 2003.
As I'm certain even our LSU visitors will agree, USC did not win the 2003 title. It would seem to me, in order to win the Title in the BCS era, you should be required to play in the BCS Title game. I recall even Pete Carroll mentioning this when he accepted a bid to play in the Rose Bowl that year saying "It's the system we have. We're excited to be playing in the Rose Bowl." But, the AP would not be dissuaded. USC, they determined, was the National Champion. Why? Athletes. USC has so many, even if they didn't win every game, even if they didn't play for it, they must be Champion.
In 2003 USC beat teams with a combined 85 - 77, when we include Rose Bowl opponent Michigan's 10-3. Excluding the bowl opponent, SC played a schedule which was a combined 75-74. SC lost to 8-6 Cal. The Pac 10 opponent's combined record? 44 - 56. Did the weak Pac 10 prevent SC from earning any status? Hardly.
Enter 2004. How was SC's 2004 schedule? A combined 70 - 69 before playing OU for all the marbles. The Pac 10 opponents were a combined 51 - 53. Surely this weakness establishes that SC was a fraud. Oh, no. All we had to do to know how great SC was was look at their stable of RBs, their Heisman Winning QB Carson Palmer, their unstoppable wideouts. SC was no fraud. True, Ohio State is a fraud in 2007 because of it's desperately weak schedule, but not SC in 2004. No sir. Incidentally, Ohio State's opponents combined 2007 W/L record? 75 - 72. Counting LSU's current record it's 86 - 74. Pretty weak, indeed. And what of the "weak" Big Ten, what is the combined record of Big Ten opponent's faced by the Buckeyes in 2007? 57 - 42. It's hard to comprehend exactly how Ohio State managed to put together such a ridiculously soft schedule.
True, there is little dispute that the 2004 Trojans were indeed an excellent team. And, of course, this reputation was parlayed in to a pre-season #1 ranking in 2005. After all, they returned essentially all of their offensive play makers. Recall, 2003 Ohio State, returning the same, was AP #2. Hardly a bad ranking, to be sure, but I don't recall anyone assuming OSU would end up playing for it all in 2003, like SC was getting. In fact, while it was obvious SC would walk the floor with everyone, Ohio State 2003 had no chance to even win the Big Ten, let alone the Title. As fate would have it, Ohio State was a win against Michigan away from playing for the Title, finishing #4 in the nation when all was said and done.
As you no doubt recall, the 2005 Trojans firmly established that they were simply unbeatable. The unequivocal greatest team ever. Do yourself a favor and watch the Trojans, because you'll never see a more talented bunch. Hand them the Trophy. True, Texas is "ok" and all, but seriously, we're talking about SC here. They played a schedule which had a record of 75 - 65 (Not bad, actually slightly more impressive than Ohio State's 2007 schedule.) Even the Pac 10 opponents were reasonably good, going a combined 57-48. On this resume, SC was playing for it's 3rd consecutive national title, despite the fact that they only actually had their hands on one. And then, of course, Texas won.
So, to punish the Trojans they were rated pre-season #6 in 2006 earning 3 first place votes in the AP. Despite a 10 - 2 2006 records which included losses to Oregon State and UCLA, SC found it's way to a final rank of 4 and a pre-season 2007 rank of #1. And how great is SC? Well, even though they lost to Stanford, who was playing with a back up QB, there are those who would have us believe they're the "hottest team right now" like that has any meaning at all. Never mind SC has beaten only 2 teams with a winning record this year, playing a grand total of 3 teams who are better than .500. They're still the greatest. Well, unless you count 11-2 LSU.
In 7 years at USC, Pete Carroll is 75-14 and has played for two National Titles. In 7 Years at Ohio State, Jim Tressel is 73-15 and playing for his third Title, and for the second season in a row. How does a team get to successive Title games? Talent. Coaching. That's how. Ohio State has plenty.
Sure, LSU isn't a fraud. But, one wonders why, in light of Ohio State becoming the 3rd team to ever play for 3 Titles, against similar schedules and in similar conferences as the former "Dynasty" teams how OSU is the dog here. One wonders why the media forces Oh and 8 against the SEC down our throats. How they call us "Slowhio State" how some pundits, despite NFL Drafts to the contrary, insist OSU doesn't have enough athletes. And then, of course, you have Chief Idiot in Charge Mark May saying "the Hat" is the difference maker as against Tressel. So ridiculous it defies comment.
I don't know that being called a dynasty is a good thing. Indeed, every team which had the moniker lost when it "shouldn't have" That would even include our Buckeyes from 2006 who, while not referred to as such, were at least given credit for being incredibly good and prohibitive favorites. But, the facts don't lie. Since 2002, Ohio State has played for 3 Titles, and was a win away from playing for 4. In 2002 Ohio State ended rated 1, in 2003 they ended 4th, in 2005 they ended 4th, 2006 they ended 2. They are presently rated #1. They have lost a grand total of 4 games in 3 years, tops in the nation. Is that a Dynasty? Nope. Keep this in mind, fair readers. Ohio State is Lucky. They are slow. They have no chance of winning, and shouldn't even really be in this game considering their weak schedule. Ohio State can put as many players in the NFL as it wants, but that doesn't change the fact that they're all stiffs. You know it, and it's time to admit it.
It is for these reasons, folks, that I don't watch pundits any more.
Go Bucks! Beat LSU!
Traditions & Opponent Perspective
Doing it up NOLA style. LSU represents a part of the country where traditions run deep.
- LSU plays their football games in "Tiger Stadium" also known as "Death Valley", it has a capacity of nearly 93,000. For years, Tiger Stadium has consistently been labeled by numerous NCAA coaches and players as the single most difficult venue for a visiting opponent. As such, LSU has one of college football's best home field advantage. LSU makes a significant effort to schedule the majority of their home games at night as they have discovered that crowd noise and participation reaches much greater levels during night games. The intense crowd noise in the final seconds of the 1988 LSU-Auburn game once registered as an earthquake in the campus Geology Department.
- LSU's Tiger Stadium uniquely sports "H" style goal posts, as opposed to the more modern "Y" style used by most other schools today. This "H" style allows the team to run through the goal post in the north endzone when entering the field. Tiger Stadium also is notable for putting all yard line numbers on the field, not just those that are multiples of 10. However, the 10-yard-line numbers are the only numbers that get directional arrows, as the rules make no provision for 5-yard-line numbers.
- Typical NOLA style, LSU takes on a different flare regarding their uniforms. LSU is the only collegiate team to wear their white uniforms during homes games, LSU reserves their purple jersey for away games.
- Mike the Tiger is the official mascot of LSU. In the past it has always been a Bengal Tiger, the current and most recent Tiger have been of Bengal mixed breeds. Since the 1950s, Mike the Tiger has also been portrayed by a costumed student. Costumed Mike appears at most LSU sporting events.
Birthdate: July 23, 2005 (named "Roscoe")
Donated by: Great Cats of Idaville, Ind.
Heritage: Bengal/Siberian mix
Weight: approx. 300 lbs.; may reach 700 lbs. as an adult
Arrived in Baton Rouge: August 25, 2007
First Public Appearance: September 1, 2007
Designated as Mike VI: September 8, 2007
- In 2005, a new habitat, was created for Mike that is 15,000 square feet in size with lush planting, a large live oak tree, a beautiful waterfall and a stream evolving from a rocky backdrop overflowing with plants and trees. The habitat has, as a backdrop, an Italianate tower - a campanile - that creates a visual bridge to the Italianate architectural vernacular that is the underpinning of the image of the entire beautiful LSU campus. This spectacular new habitat features state-of-the-art technologies, research, conservation and husbandry programs, as well as educational, interpretive and recreational activities. It is, in essence, one of the largest and finest Tiger habitats in the United States.
- Mike's ride through Tiger Stadium before home games in a cage topped by the LSU cheerleaders is a school tradition. Before entering the stadium, his cage on wheels is parked next to the opponent's locker room in the southeast end of the stadium. Opposing players must make their way past Mike's cage to reach their locker room.
- Tradition dictates that for every growl elicited by Mike before a football game, the Tigers will score a touchdown that night. For many years, Mike was prompted to roar by pounding on the cage. Objections of cruel punishment brought about the use of recorded growls to play to the crowd before the games. That practice was discontinued shortly afterward and, today, Mike participates in the pregame tradition without provocation.
- Hordes of Tiger fans from across the region descend on LSU's campus for every home game, setting up motor homes and tents for Louisiana's biggest party other than Mardi Gras. ESPN has named LSU's pregame party as the best in college football, and the Sporting News has named LSU as the best place to attend a college football game.
- The LSU pregame show is among the well-known rituals in college football. The show was created in 1964, and revised over the next nine years into its current format. The marching band lines up along the end zone shortly before kick off. Then the band strikes up a drum cadence and begins to spread out evenly across the field. When the front of the band reaches the center of the field, the band stops and begins to play an arrangement of "Pregame" (Hold that Tiger). While it does this, the band turns to salute the fans in all four corners of the stadium. Then the band, resuming its march across the field, begins playing "Touchdown for LSU." At this point, the LSU crowd chants "L-S-U, L-S-U, L-S-U..." The band also plays "Pregame" before it enters the stadium, while literally running down the hill into Tiger Stadium.
- Whenever LSU forces a turnover or gets the ball back via a defensive stop, the LSU band plays the Chinese Bandit tune. The student section bows to the defense while the tune is played. The term "Chinese Bandits" originated as the nickname that LSU Coach Paul Dietzel gave to the defensive unit he organized in 1958, which helped LSU to win its first national championship. The next season, the 1959 Chinese Bandit defense held their opponents to an average of only 143.2 yards per game. No LSU defense since has done better.
- When LSU is playing their rival, Ole Miss, LSU fans shout "Geaux to Hell Ole Miss. Geaux to hell" frequently, and signs with the same saying can be seen throughout the stadium.
Historical Data
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY (Baton Rouge, La.) Founded in 1860
Football 1st Season: 1893
Stadium: Tiger Stadium "Death Valley"
Constructed: 1924
Seating Capacity: 92,400
Playing Surface: Natural grass (Bermuda)
Conference: Southeastern Conference since 1933, 1893-1895 Independent, 1896-1921 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 1922-1932 Southern Conference
Colors: Purple & Gold
Mascots: Mike the Tiger (Mike VI - originally named "Roscoe")
Nickname: Fighting Tigers (Lady Tigers, Bayou Bengals for the men and Ben-Gals for the women)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 13 Conference Championships: 1896* SIAA, 1908 SIAA, 1932* SC, 1935, 1936, 1958, 1961*, 1970, 1986, 1988*, 2001, 2003, 2007 (*=Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 22 (18 different players as of 2005)
College Hall-of-Famers: 10
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 3 (Jim Taylor, Y.A. Tittle, Steve Van Buren)
Award Winners: 1 AFCA COY, 2 Eddie Robinson COY, 1 Bear Bryant COY, 1 Biletnikoff, 1 Rimington, 1 Butkus Silver. 1 Heisman, 1 Manning, 1 Draddy, 1 Wuerffel
National Championships: 2 Recognized Championships (1958, 2003), 5 Other National Championships (1908, 1935, 1936, 1959, 1962)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-31 years, Coaches-24 years
Stadium: Tiger Stadium "Death Valley"
Constructed: 1924
Seating Capacity: 92,400
Playing Surface: Natural grass (Bermuda)
Conference: Southeastern Conference since 1933, 1893-1895 Independent, 1896-1921 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 1922-1932 Southern Conference
Colors: Purple & Gold
Mascots: Mike the Tiger (Mike VI - originally named "Roscoe")
Nickname: Fighting Tigers (Lady Tigers, Bayou Bengals for the men and Ben-Gals for the women)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 13 Conference Championships: 1896* SIAA, 1908 SIAA, 1932* SC, 1935, 1936, 1958, 1961*, 1970, 1986, 1988*, 2001, 2003, 2007 (*=Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 22 (18 different players as of 2005)
College Hall-of-Famers: 10
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 3 (Jim Taylor, Y.A. Tittle, Steve Van Buren)
Award Winners: 1 AFCA COY, 2 Eddie Robinson COY, 1 Bear Bryant COY, 1 Biletnikoff, 1 Rimington, 1 Butkus Silver. 1 Heisman, 1 Manning, 1 Draddy, 1 Wuerffel
National Championships: 2 Recognized Championships (1958, 2003), 5 Other National Championships (1908, 1935, 1936, 1959, 1962)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-31 years, Coaches-24 years
Records
All Time: 692-378-47 (.641)
Bowl Games: 19-18-1 (.513) A 41-14 win over Notre Dame in the 2007 Sugar Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 6-4-1 (.591)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 0-1-1 (.250) Most recently a 36-33 loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus 1988
Coach's Reord: Les Miles, 2005-current, at LSU 33-6-0 (.846), overall 61-27-0 (.693)
2006 Season: 11-2-0 (.846)
Sep 2 - W vs. UL Lafayette, 45-3
Sep 9 - W vs. Arizona, 45-3
Sep 16 - L at Auburn, 3-7
Sep 23 - W vs. Tulane, 49-7
Sep 30 - W vs. Miss State, 48-17
Oct 7 - L at Florida, 10-23
Oct 14 - W vs. Kentucky, 49-0
Oct 21 - W vs. Fresno State, 38-6
Nov 4 - W at Tennessee, 28-24
Nov 11 - W vs. Alabama, 28-14
Nov 18 - W vs. Ole Miss, 23-20 OT
Nov 24 - W at Arkansas, 31-26
Jan 3 - W vs. Notre Dame, 41-14
2007 Schedule 11-2-0 (with 1 game to play)
Aug 30 - W at Miss State, 45-0
Sep 8 - W vs. Virginia Tech, 48-7
Sep 15 - W vs. Middle Tennessee, 44-0
Sep 22 - W vs. So Carolina, 28-16
Sep 29 - W at Tulane, 34-9
Oct 6 - W vs. Florida, 28-24
Oct 13 - L at Kentucky, 37-43
Oct 20 - W vs. Auburn, 30-24
Oct 27 - Open
Nov 3 - W at Alabama, 41-34
Nov 10 - W vs. Louisiana Tech, 58-10
Nov 17 - W at Ole Miss, 41-24
Nov 23 - L vs. Arkansas, 48-50
Dec 1 - W vs. Tennessee, 21-14
Jan 7 - at Ohio State (BCS Championship Game), 8:00 PM
Bowl Games: 19-18-1 (.513) A 41-14 win over Notre Dame in the 2007 Sugar Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 6-4-1 (.591)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 0-1-1 (.250) Most recently a 36-33 loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus 1988
Coach's Reord: Les Miles, 2005-current, at LSU 33-6-0 (.846), overall 61-27-0 (.693)
2006 Season: 11-2-0 (.846)
Sep 2 - W vs. UL Lafayette, 45-3
Sep 9 - W vs. Arizona, 45-3
Sep 16 - L at Auburn, 3-7
Sep 23 - W vs. Tulane, 49-7
Sep 30 - W vs. Miss State, 48-17
Oct 7 - L at Florida, 10-23
Oct 14 - W vs. Kentucky, 49-0
Oct 21 - W vs. Fresno State, 38-6
Nov 4 - W at Tennessee, 28-24
Nov 11 - W vs. Alabama, 28-14
Nov 18 - W vs. Ole Miss, 23-20 OT
Nov 24 - W at Arkansas, 31-26
Jan 3 - W vs. Notre Dame, 41-14
2007 Schedule 11-2-0 (with 1 game to play)
Aug 30 - W at Miss State, 45-0
Sep 8 - W vs. Virginia Tech, 48-7
Sep 15 - W vs. Middle Tennessee, 44-0
Sep 22 - W vs. So Carolina, 28-16
Sep 29 - W at Tulane, 34-9
Oct 6 - W vs. Florida, 28-24
Oct 13 - L at Kentucky, 37-43
Oct 20 - W vs. Auburn, 30-24
Oct 27 - Open
Nov 3 - W at Alabama, 41-34
Nov 10 - W vs. Louisiana Tech, 58-10
Nov 17 - W at Ole Miss, 41-24
Nov 23 - L vs. Arkansas, 48-50
Dec 1 - W vs. Tennessee, 21-14
Jan 7 - at Ohio State (BCS Championship Game), 8:00 PM
Links
Official Sites:
Official School Site - Louisiana State University
Student Newspaper - The Daily Reveille
Alumni Association - LSU Alumni Association
Official Athletics Site - LSU Sports
Official Coaches Site - Les Miles.net
Official Mascot Site - Mike The Tiger
Official Conference Site - SEC Sports
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Tiger Rag (Scout)
Message Boards - Tiger Bait (Rivals)
Message Boards - Tiger Forums (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Roar (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Pages (Independent)
Message Boards - Dandy Don's Recruiting News (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Droppings (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Memories (Independent)
Message Boards - My LSU (Independent)
Message Boards - LSU Football (Independent)
Message Boards - TigerU (Independent)
Message Boards - Krewed Awakening (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Tunes (Independent)
Message Boards - Sin City Tigers (Independent)
Message Boards - LSU Beat (Independent)
Message Boards - Fighting Tigahs (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Gridiron Club (Independent)
Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports (Sporting News)
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - FanBlogs
Team Page - Covers
Blog - Victory is Mine
Blog - Tiger Smack
Blog - The Highland Road Blog
Blog - Cute Sports
Blog - And the Valley Shook
Blog - Bayou Bengal Blog
Blog - Cap'n Ken's Homespun Wisdom
Blog - LSUnpredictable
Blog - Wasted Shabbos
Blog - LSU Football Analysis
Blog - LSU Fanhouse
Blog - Eight in the Box
Blog - Heard on the Bayou
Blog - Geaux Tuscaloosa
Blog - Southern Papa
Local News Sources:
Baton Rouge Advocate - Local News
The Shreveport Times - Local News
NOLA.com - New Orleans Times-Picayune - Local News
The Daily Advertiser - Local News
The Monroe Louisiana News Star - Local News
Tiger Weekly - Local News
South Mississippi Sun Herald - Local News
The Alexandria-Pineville Town Talk - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section I - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section II - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section III - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section IV - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section V - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section VI - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section VII - LSUSports
2007 Ohio State BCS National Championship Media Guide - (Links to PDF Files) - Ohio State Buckeyes
2007 Ohio State BCS National Championship Game Notes - (pdf) - Ohio State Buckeyes
2007 LSU Media Guide - Introduction - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - This is LSU Part I - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - This is LSU Part II - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - This is LSU Part III - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Players (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Coaches (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Review (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - History (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Media (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Spring Practice Review (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Fan Guide - Section I - LSUSports
2007 LSU Fan Guide - Section II - LSUSports
2007 LSU Fan Guide - Section III - LSUSports
2007 LSU Football Statistics - LSUSports
2007 LSU Football Schedule/Results - LSUSports
2007 LSU Football Roster - LSUSports
LSU Football News Archives - LSUSports
SEC Bowl Previews - SEC
2007 BCS Championship Matchup - NCAA Football
2007 LSU Team Stats - NCAA Football
Travel:
Gameday Information - Allstate Sugar Bowl
Official School Site - Louisiana State University
Student Newspaper - The Daily Reveille
Alumni Association - LSU Alumni Association
Official Athletics Site - LSU Sports
Official Coaches Site - Les Miles.net
Official Mascot Site - Mike The Tiger
Official Conference Site - SEC Sports
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Tiger Rag (Scout)
Message Boards - Tiger Bait (Rivals)
Message Boards - Tiger Forums (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Roar (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Pages (Independent)
Message Boards - Dandy Don's Recruiting News (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Droppings (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Memories (Independent)
Message Boards - My LSU (Independent)
Message Boards - LSU Football (Independent)
Message Boards - TigerU (Independent)
Message Boards - Krewed Awakening (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Tunes (Independent)
Message Boards - Sin City Tigers (Independent)
Message Boards - LSU Beat (Independent)
Message Boards - Fighting Tigahs (Independent)
Message Boards - Tiger Gridiron Club (Independent)
Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports (Sporting News)
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - FanBlogs
Team Page - Covers
Blog - Victory is Mine
Blog - Tiger Smack
Blog - The Highland Road Blog
Blog - Cute Sports
Blog - And the Valley Shook
Blog - Bayou Bengal Blog
Blog - Cap'n Ken's Homespun Wisdom
Blog - LSUnpredictable
Blog - Wasted Shabbos
Blog - LSU Football Analysis
Blog - LSU Fanhouse
Blog - Eight in the Box
Blog - Heard on the Bayou
Blog - Geaux Tuscaloosa
Blog - Southern Papa
Local News Sources:
Baton Rouge Advocate - Local News
The Shreveport Times - Local News
NOLA.com - New Orleans Times-Picayune - Local News
The Daily Advertiser - Local News
The Monroe Louisiana News Star - Local News
Tiger Weekly - Local News
South Mississippi Sun Herald - Local News
The Alexandria-Pineville Town Talk - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section I - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section II - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section III - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section IV - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section V - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section VI - LSUSports
2007 LSU BCS National Championship Media Guide - Section VII - LSUSports
2007 Ohio State BCS National Championship Media Guide - (Links to PDF Files) - Ohio State Buckeyes
2007 Ohio State BCS National Championship Game Notes - (pdf) - Ohio State Buckeyes
2007 LSU Media Guide - Introduction - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - This is LSU Part I - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - This is LSU Part II - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - This is LSU Part III - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Players (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Coaches (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Review (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - History (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Media (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Media Guide - Spring Practice Review (pdf) - LSUSports
2007 LSU Fan Guide - Section I - LSUSports
2007 LSU Fan Guide - Section II - LSUSports
2007 LSU Fan Guide - Section III - LSUSports
2007 LSU Football Statistics - LSUSports
2007 LSU Football Schedule/Results - LSUSports
2007 LSU Football Roster - LSUSports
LSU Football News Archives - LSUSports
SEC Bowl Previews - SEC
2007 BCS Championship Matchup - NCAA Football
2007 LSU Team Stats - NCAA Football
Travel:
Gameday Information - Allstate Sugar Bowl
Preseason Rankings
#1 - AutumnSpectacle.com
#2 - AP
#2 - USA Today Coach's Poll
#2 - MSNBC.com
#2 - Lindy's
#2 - CFN
#2 - CNN/SI
#2 - The Sporting News
#2 - Phil Steele
#2 - CBSSportsline.com (Preview Magazine)
#2 - CBSSportsline - Post Spring Top 25 (By Dennis Dodd - 4/30/07)
#2 - CBSSportsline - Offseason Top 25 (By Dennis Dodd - 7/20/07)
#2 - NationalChamps.net
#2 - CCR Top 119
#2 - Surefire Scouting
#2 - Game Plan
#2 - CSTV (Post-Spring, Pre-Preseason 2007 Top 25)
#2 - Fox Sports
#2 - New Orleans Times Picayune (Ted Lewis)
#2 - Football.com (Spring Top 25)
#3 - Athlon
#3 - Rivals.com (Preseason Top 50)
#3 - Rivals.com (Early)
#3 - ESPN - Hummer Press Pass (Mike Greenberg)
#4 - Street & Smith?s
#4 - Yahoo Sports (Sweet 16 - By Terry Bowden)
#4 - CBSSportsline - Spring Top 25 (By Dennis Dodd - 3/26/07)
#4 - Chicago Tribune (Teddy Greenstein)
#5 - Playboy
#5 - ESPN - Hummer Press Pass (Mike Golic)
#6 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
#6 - StatFox.com
#7 - CSTV (Pre-Spring, Post-Bowl 2007 Preseason Top 25)
#9 - Jim Feist
#10 - ESPN.com (Mark Schlabach)
#11 - FanBlogs (2007 Pre-Pre Season College Football Top 25)
#2 - AP
#2 - USA Today Coach's Poll
#2 - MSNBC.com
#2 - Lindy's
#2 - CFN
#2 - CNN/SI
#2 - The Sporting News
#2 - Phil Steele
#2 - CBSSportsline.com (Preview Magazine)
#2 - CBSSportsline - Post Spring Top 25 (By Dennis Dodd - 4/30/07)
#2 - CBSSportsline - Offseason Top 25 (By Dennis Dodd - 7/20/07)
#2 - NationalChamps.net
#2 - CCR Top 119
#2 - Surefire Scouting
#2 - Game Plan
#2 - CSTV (Post-Spring, Pre-Preseason 2007 Top 25)
#2 - Fox Sports
#2 - New Orleans Times Picayune (Ted Lewis)
#2 - Football.com (Spring Top 25)
#3 - Athlon
#3 - Rivals.com (Preseason Top 50)
#3 - Rivals.com (Early)
#3 - ESPN - Hummer Press Pass (Mike Greenberg)
#4 - Street & Smith?s
#4 - Yahoo Sports (Sweet 16 - By Terry Bowden)
#4 - CBSSportsline - Spring Top 25 (By Dennis Dodd - 3/26/07)
#4 - Chicago Tribune (Teddy Greenstein)
#5 - Playboy
#5 - ESPN - Hummer Press Pass (Mike Golic)
#6 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
#6 - StatFox.com
#7 - CSTV (Pre-Spring, Post-Bowl 2007 Preseason Top 25)
#9 - Jim Feist
#10 - ESPN.com (Mark Schlabach)
#11 - FanBlogs (2007 Pre-Pre Season College Football Top 25)
Preseason Watch Lists
Bronko Nagurski Award - Glenn Dorsey*
Chuck Bednarik Award - Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith
Dave Rimington Trophy - Brett Helms
Rotary Lombardi Award - Glenn Dorsey*
Lott Trophy - Glenn Dorsey*
Manning Award - Matt Flynn
Maxwell Award - Early Doucet
Outland Trophy - Glenn Dorsey*
Ted Hendricks Award - Tyson Jackson
Thorpe Award - Craig Steltz
Walter Camp Player of the Year - Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson
(* - indicates winner)
Chuck Bednarik Award - Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith
Dave Rimington Trophy - Brett Helms
Rotary Lombardi Award - Glenn Dorsey*
Lott Trophy - Glenn Dorsey*
Manning Award - Matt Flynn
Maxwell Award - Early Doucet
Outland Trophy - Glenn Dorsey*
Ted Hendricks Award - Tyson Jackson
Thorpe Award - Craig Steltz
Walter Camp Player of the Year - Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson
(* - indicates winner)
Individual Honors
#48 Darry Beckwith - LB
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#70 Ciron Black - OT
Second-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#6 Colt David - PK
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#72 Glenn Dorsey - DT
Outland Trophy Winner
Lombardi Award Winner
Lott Trophy Winner
Nagurski Award Winner
Bednarik Award Finalist
First-Team All-American (AP, AFCA, FWAA, Walter Camp Foundation, ESPN,
CBSSports.com, CNNSI.com, Rivals.com, Sporting News)
SEC Defensive Player of the Year (SEC Coaches)
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 22 vs. South Carolina)
SEC Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 3 vs. Alabama)
SEC Community Service Team Player of the Week (Nov. 3 vs. Alabama)
#36 Patrick Fisher - P
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#15 Matt Flynn - QB
SEC Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 20 vs. Auburn)
#18 Jacob Hester - RB
Second-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
SEC Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 6 vs. Florida)
Sporting News Player of the Week (Oct. 6 vs. Florida)
#7 Ali Highsmith - LB
First-Team All-American (CBSSports.com)
Second-Team All-American (AP)
Honorable Mention All-American (CNNSI.com)
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#8 Trindon Holliday - WR
SEC Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 17 vs. Ole Miss)
#21 Chevis Jackson - CB
Honorable Mention All-American (CNNSI.com)
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#79 Herman Johnson - OG
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#3 Chad Jones - S
First-Team Freshman All-American (Sporting News)
Honorable Mention Freshman All-American (CollegeFootballNews.com)
Freshman All-SEC (Coaches, Rivals.com)
#11 Ryan Perrilloux - QB
SEC Championship Game MVP
#49 Kirston Pittman - DE
SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 8 vs. Virginia Tech)
#16 Craig Steltz - S
Thorpe Award Finalist
First-Team All-American (AP, Walter Camp Foundation, ESPN, CBSSports.com,
CNNSI.com, Rivals.com)
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
Louisiana Defensive Player of the Week (Aug. 30 at Mississippi State)
SEC Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 17 vs. Ole Miss)
#80 Terrance Toliver - WR
Honorable Mention Freshman All-American (Sporting News)
Freshman All-SEC (Coaches, Rivals.com)
#5 Keiland Williams - RB
Louisiana Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 8 vs. Virginia Tech)
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#70 Ciron Black - OT
Second-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#6 Colt David - PK
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#72 Glenn Dorsey - DT
Outland Trophy Winner
Lombardi Award Winner
Lott Trophy Winner
Nagurski Award Winner
Bednarik Award Finalist
First-Team All-American (AP, AFCA, FWAA, Walter Camp Foundation, ESPN,
CBSSports.com, CNNSI.com, Rivals.com, Sporting News)
SEC Defensive Player of the Year (SEC Coaches)
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 22 vs. South Carolina)
SEC Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 3 vs. Alabama)
SEC Community Service Team Player of the Week (Nov. 3 vs. Alabama)
#36 Patrick Fisher - P
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#15 Matt Flynn - QB
SEC Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 20 vs. Auburn)
#18 Jacob Hester - RB
Second-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
SEC Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 6 vs. Florida)
Sporting News Player of the Week (Oct. 6 vs. Florida)
#7 Ali Highsmith - LB
First-Team All-American (CBSSports.com)
Second-Team All-American (AP)
Honorable Mention All-American (CNNSI.com)
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#8 Trindon Holliday - WR
SEC Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 17 vs. Ole Miss)
#21 Chevis Jackson - CB
Honorable Mention All-American (CNNSI.com)
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#79 Herman Johnson - OG
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
#3 Chad Jones - S
First-Team Freshman All-American (Sporting News)
Honorable Mention Freshman All-American (CollegeFootballNews.com)
Freshman All-SEC (Coaches, Rivals.com)
#11 Ryan Perrilloux - QB
SEC Championship Game MVP
#49 Kirston Pittman - DE
SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (Sept. 8 vs. Virginia Tech)
#16 Craig Steltz - S
Thorpe Award Finalist
First-Team All-American (AP, Walter Camp Foundation, ESPN, CBSSports.com,
CNNSI.com, Rivals.com)
First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
Louisiana Defensive Player of the Week (Aug. 30 at Mississippi State)
SEC Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 17 vs. Ole Miss)
#80 Terrance Toliver - WR
Honorable Mention Freshman All-American (Sporting News)
Freshman All-SEC (Coaches, Rivals.com)
#5 Keiland Williams - RB
Louisiana Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 8 vs. Virginia Tech)
Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data
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