Nordberg
Heisman Candidate
Hello again everyone,
I have been thinking of writing this for about a week or so. I understand that some decisions in this will seem subjective, but I will try to be as objective as possible. I will try to provide up-to-date stats per player, in order to differentiate the positions. This thread is going to focus on the comparisons of LSU?s & OSU?s defense. I have done the same comparisons with the offenses as well. These will be comparisons on strictly 1st team depth charts. These athletic media guides differ, but I tried to take what was given to me and create the same for both sides. Let me know what you think?if you agree/disagree with some picks, let us know.
Here is the websites that I used for my info:
http://www.lsusports.net/pdf2/98325.pdf
http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/17300/pdf/fb/07-release.pdf?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300
Defense: Base defense. Four down-linemen, 3 linebackers, 4 defensive backs
Left End
Tyson Jackson, junior ? Jackson was on the Walter Camp Award & Hendricks Award watch lists. He started all 12 games this season. Jackson has been credited with 33 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.
Cameron Heyward, freshman ? Being a freshman, Heyward played in all 12 games and started 7 games this season. Heyward has been credited with 30 tackles with 9 tackles for a loss. Heyward was credited with 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
Jackson is a very solid lineman and was on some award watch lists. Heyward had about the same productivity, but more tackles for a loss. Heyward would get the advantage here because he only started 7 games, but had equal or better numbers.
Left Tackle
Glenn Dorsey, senior ? Dorsey was on the watch list for every major defensive award this season. Dorsey was the winner of the Lombardi, Nagurski, Outland, and Lott awards this season. He is arguably the best player in NCAA this season. He was hurt for most of the season, but played through it. He has a total of 61 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
Doug Worthington, sophomore ? Worthington is new to the starting lineup this season. Worthington played in 12 games and started 11 games this season. Worthington has recorded 22 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss with one sack. Worthington has been credited with an interception as well and a forced fumble.
Glen Dorsey is one of the most dominate player on defense. Dorsey was on the Heisman watch list before he got hurt. The advantage is for Dorsey because he is just a stud.
Right Tackle
Marlon Favorite, junior ? Favorite has only played in 10 games and has started 6 of those. He has tallied 28 tackles with only one being for a loss. He has yet to record a sack.
Nader Abdallah, junior ? Abdallah has been a surprising addition to the defensive line by playing in 12 games and started 7 games this season. Abdallah has 18 tackles with 2 tackles for a loss. Abdallah has one sack this season.
Abdallah has been a great addition to OSU?s defensive line. Both players are very good and understand their roles in the defense. The advantage would have to go to Favorite because he has a slight lead on his productivity.
Right End
Kirston Pittman, senior ? Pittman emerged as starter at right end this fall after missing the last two seasons with injuries. Pittman has recorded 60 tackles and a team lead 12.5 tackles for loss. Pittman has sacked the quarterback 7 times.
Vernon Gholston, junior ? Gholston has been a solid lineman which has played in 12 games and has started 11 games this season. He was on the Bednarik and Hendricks award watch lists. Gholston has improved dramatically towards the end of the season. He has 34 tackles, a team high 14.5 tackles for a loss. He has a team high 13 sacks, one fumble recovery and a TD.
Pittman has been battling the injury bug the last two seasons. He has finally been healthy this season and has posted great numbers. Gholston has been coming on strong at the end of the season. This match-up is almost a wash because Gholston has 13 sacks, but Pittman has 60 tackles. This is a very close call.
Linebackers
Luke Sanders, senior ? Sanders has played in all 12 games this season with 9 starts. Sanders recorded 22 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack with a fumble recovery this season.
Larry Grant, senior ? Grant is a versatile linebacker that can play all three positions if required. Grant has started in all 12 games this season. He has a total of 43 tackles with 9.5 for a loss. Grant has 5 sacks, 1 interception and 2 blocked kicks.
Sanders looks like he has taken to his role with the defense and is a solid addition. Grant is versatile and can adapt to whatever is thrown at him. Grant has better numbers which would give him an advantage in this match-up.
Darry Beckwith, junior ? Beckwith was injured for 2 games this season. Beckwith has started 10 games and is credited with 61 tackles. He has 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
James Laurinaitis, junior ? Laurinaitis was named a finalist for the Lombardi, Nagurski, Butkus, Bednarik, and Lott awards. Laurinaitis won the Butkus award out of those listed. Laurinaitis is the leader of the defense. He has started in all 12 games this season. Laurinaitis has a team high 103 tackles and 8.5 for a loss. He has recorded 5 sacks, 2 interceptions and on fumble recovery.
Beckwith is a solid linebacker that has been battling the injury bug this season. With the exception to Glenn Dorsey, Laurinaitis is one of the best defensive players in the nation. He has over 100 tackles and 2 interceptions. The advantage would have to be with Laurinaitis.
Ali Highsmith, senior ? Highsmith was on the Butkus Award semifinalist and Bednarik Award watch list. Highsmith has started 26 straight games and is one of the leaders of this defense. He is second on the team with 86 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Highsmith is credited with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Marcus Freeman, junior ? Freeman has started all 12 games this season. He was on the Bednarik watch list. Freeman is second on the team with 95 tackles and 9.5 for a loss. Freeman has 1.5 sacks, 5 pass deflections and one forced fumble.
Highsmith was a Butkus Award semifinalist and Bednarik award watch list. Freeman was on the Bednarik Award watch list as well. Freeman has more tackles and more tackles for a loss. Because of this information, the advantage is for Freeman.
Cornerbacks
Chevis Jackson, senior ? Jackson is one of the more experienced players for LSU. Jackson has started 38 consecutive games and playing in 50 games over his career. Jackson is credited with 37 tackles including 2 for losses. Jackson has 4 interceptions this season and 16 passes broken up.
Malcolm Jenkins, junior ? Jenkins is one of the most versatile player on defense. Jenkins was on the Thorpe Award watch list. He has started all 12 games this season. Jenkins can move to a safety position when a nickel or dime situation is required. Jenkins has been credited with 44 tackles and 5 tackles for a loss. Jenkins has 3 interceptions and 3 pass break-ups.
Jackson is one of the most experienced players in NCAA. He seems like he knows where the pass is going to be before the quarterback. He has 16 pass deflections. Jenkins has more tackles and more tackles for a loss. The advantage would go to Jenkins who is more versatile than Jackson.
Jonathan Zenon, senior ? Zenon is a great cover corner and starting 25 straight games. He has made 35 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Zenon has 2 interceptions with 6 broken up pass playes. He is credited with a forced fumble and a recovery this season.
Chimdi Chekwa, freshman? Starting cornerback Donald Washington has been suspended for violating team rules. Chimdi Chekwa will most likely get the starting nod. OSU started one game in a nickel defense which is the reason for Chekwa to start 1 one game, but has played in all 12 games. Chekwa has a total of 29 tackles and 2 tackles for a loss. He has a team high 9 pass break-ups and one interception.
Chekwa is a very good Nickel-back corner. Coming in for the starting role is definitely something different for Chekwa. Zenon has started more games and has more experience. The advantage would be with Zenon because he has more tackles and better numbers.
Safetys
Craig Steltz, senior ? Steltz was a Thorpe Award Finalist for the nation?s best defensive back. Even though this is Steltzs? first year as a starter, he has played in 42 games in his career. He has recorded a team high 89 tackles. He has 5 tackles for loss, a sack, seven broken up pass plays, 3 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He leads LSU with 6 interceptions this season.
Kurt Coleman, sophomore ? Coleman is new to the starting position. He has started all 12 games this season. Coleman is credited with 54 tackles and 3.5 tackles for a loss. Coleman has 1 sack, 4 pass deflections and a forced fumble.
This is both players? first season in the starting role. Coleman has stepped up and taken charge of his starting role. Steltz is very experienced and has better numbers than Coleman. Overall, Steltz would get the advantage here.
Curtis Taylor, junior ? This is Taylor?s first year starting. Taylor has recorded 48 tackles including one for a loss and a sack this season. He has also broken up 6 passes and picked off 2 others. Taylor has one fumble recovery this season as well.
Anderson Russell, sophomore ? Russell has started all 12 games this season. Russell has stepped up in a big way. He is 3rd on the team with 58 tackles and 7 tackles for a loss. He has 3 sacks, 5 pass break-ups and one forced fumble.
Taylor is coming in this season and replacing a first-round draft pick, LaRon Landry. Taylor has accepted his starting role and is a solid player for LSU. Russell has more experience and is 3rd on the team in tackles. For this reason, Russell would get the advantage.
Overall:
OSU ? The Buckeye linebackers are some of the best in the nation. They have a distinct advantage there. If the Buckeye?s defensive line can control the line of scrimmage, the Buckeye Linebackers will be able to attack the ball effectively. The Buckeye secondary is very young. Jenkins will have to have a solid game to back up the 2 sophomores and one freshman in the starting positions.
LSU ? The Tiger Defensive line is a great unit. They have a great advantage here. If the Tigers can control the line of scrimmage and control Chris Wells, look for the secondary to come to life. LSU has 3 seniors and a junior in the secondary. I believe LSU line of scrimmage is the key to this game. If LSU?s veteran defensive line can get into the running lanes and force OSU to throw the ball on 3rd and long, LSU has a great opportunity to win the game. If OSU?s offensive line comes out firing off the ball and knocks LSU?s defensive line off the ball, LSU may be in for a long, tough fight.
I have been thinking of writing this for about a week or so. I understand that some decisions in this will seem subjective, but I will try to be as objective as possible. I will try to provide up-to-date stats per player, in order to differentiate the positions. This thread is going to focus on the comparisons of LSU?s & OSU?s defense. I have done the same comparisons with the offenses as well. These will be comparisons on strictly 1st team depth charts. These athletic media guides differ, but I tried to take what was given to me and create the same for both sides. Let me know what you think?if you agree/disagree with some picks, let us know.
Here is the websites that I used for my info:
http://www.lsusports.net/pdf2/98325.pdf
http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/17300/pdf/fb/07-release.pdf?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300
Defense: Base defense. Four down-linemen, 3 linebackers, 4 defensive backs
Left End
Tyson Jackson, junior ? Jackson was on the Walter Camp Award & Hendricks Award watch lists. He started all 12 games this season. Jackson has been credited with 33 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.
Cameron Heyward, freshman ? Being a freshman, Heyward played in all 12 games and started 7 games this season. Heyward has been credited with 30 tackles with 9 tackles for a loss. Heyward was credited with 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
Jackson is a very solid lineman and was on some award watch lists. Heyward had about the same productivity, but more tackles for a loss. Heyward would get the advantage here because he only started 7 games, but had equal or better numbers.
Left Tackle
Glenn Dorsey, senior ? Dorsey was on the watch list for every major defensive award this season. Dorsey was the winner of the Lombardi, Nagurski, Outland, and Lott awards this season. He is arguably the best player in NCAA this season. He was hurt for most of the season, but played through it. He has a total of 61 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
Doug Worthington, sophomore ? Worthington is new to the starting lineup this season. Worthington played in 12 games and started 11 games this season. Worthington has recorded 22 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss with one sack. Worthington has been credited with an interception as well and a forced fumble.
Glen Dorsey is one of the most dominate player on defense. Dorsey was on the Heisman watch list before he got hurt. The advantage is for Dorsey because he is just a stud.
Right Tackle
Marlon Favorite, junior ? Favorite has only played in 10 games and has started 6 of those. He has tallied 28 tackles with only one being for a loss. He has yet to record a sack.
Nader Abdallah, junior ? Abdallah has been a surprising addition to the defensive line by playing in 12 games and started 7 games this season. Abdallah has 18 tackles with 2 tackles for a loss. Abdallah has one sack this season.
Abdallah has been a great addition to OSU?s defensive line. Both players are very good and understand their roles in the defense. The advantage would have to go to Favorite because he has a slight lead on his productivity.
Right End
Kirston Pittman, senior ? Pittman emerged as starter at right end this fall after missing the last two seasons with injuries. Pittman has recorded 60 tackles and a team lead 12.5 tackles for loss. Pittman has sacked the quarterback 7 times.
Vernon Gholston, junior ? Gholston has been a solid lineman which has played in 12 games and has started 11 games this season. He was on the Bednarik and Hendricks award watch lists. Gholston has improved dramatically towards the end of the season. He has 34 tackles, a team high 14.5 tackles for a loss. He has a team high 13 sacks, one fumble recovery and a TD.
Pittman has been battling the injury bug the last two seasons. He has finally been healthy this season and has posted great numbers. Gholston has been coming on strong at the end of the season. This match-up is almost a wash because Gholston has 13 sacks, but Pittman has 60 tackles. This is a very close call.
Linebackers
Luke Sanders, senior ? Sanders has played in all 12 games this season with 9 starts. Sanders recorded 22 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack with a fumble recovery this season.
Larry Grant, senior ? Grant is a versatile linebacker that can play all three positions if required. Grant has started in all 12 games this season. He has a total of 43 tackles with 9.5 for a loss. Grant has 5 sacks, 1 interception and 2 blocked kicks.
Sanders looks like he has taken to his role with the defense and is a solid addition. Grant is versatile and can adapt to whatever is thrown at him. Grant has better numbers which would give him an advantage in this match-up.
Darry Beckwith, junior ? Beckwith was injured for 2 games this season. Beckwith has started 10 games and is credited with 61 tackles. He has 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
James Laurinaitis, junior ? Laurinaitis was named a finalist for the Lombardi, Nagurski, Butkus, Bednarik, and Lott awards. Laurinaitis won the Butkus award out of those listed. Laurinaitis is the leader of the defense. He has started in all 12 games this season. Laurinaitis has a team high 103 tackles and 8.5 for a loss. He has recorded 5 sacks, 2 interceptions and on fumble recovery.
Beckwith is a solid linebacker that has been battling the injury bug this season. With the exception to Glenn Dorsey, Laurinaitis is one of the best defensive players in the nation. He has over 100 tackles and 2 interceptions. The advantage would have to be with Laurinaitis.
Ali Highsmith, senior ? Highsmith was on the Butkus Award semifinalist and Bednarik Award watch list. Highsmith has started 26 straight games and is one of the leaders of this defense. He is second on the team with 86 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Highsmith is credited with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Marcus Freeman, junior ? Freeman has started all 12 games this season. He was on the Bednarik watch list. Freeman is second on the team with 95 tackles and 9.5 for a loss. Freeman has 1.5 sacks, 5 pass deflections and one forced fumble.
Highsmith was a Butkus Award semifinalist and Bednarik award watch list. Freeman was on the Bednarik Award watch list as well. Freeman has more tackles and more tackles for a loss. Because of this information, the advantage is for Freeman.
Cornerbacks
Chevis Jackson, senior ? Jackson is one of the more experienced players for LSU. Jackson has started 38 consecutive games and playing in 50 games over his career. Jackson is credited with 37 tackles including 2 for losses. Jackson has 4 interceptions this season and 16 passes broken up.
Malcolm Jenkins, junior ? Jenkins is one of the most versatile player on defense. Jenkins was on the Thorpe Award watch list. He has started all 12 games this season. Jenkins can move to a safety position when a nickel or dime situation is required. Jenkins has been credited with 44 tackles and 5 tackles for a loss. Jenkins has 3 interceptions and 3 pass break-ups.
Jackson is one of the most experienced players in NCAA. He seems like he knows where the pass is going to be before the quarterback. He has 16 pass deflections. Jenkins has more tackles and more tackles for a loss. The advantage would go to Jenkins who is more versatile than Jackson.
Jonathan Zenon, senior ? Zenon is a great cover corner and starting 25 straight games. He has made 35 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Zenon has 2 interceptions with 6 broken up pass playes. He is credited with a forced fumble and a recovery this season.
Chimdi Chekwa, freshman? Starting cornerback Donald Washington has been suspended for violating team rules. Chimdi Chekwa will most likely get the starting nod. OSU started one game in a nickel defense which is the reason for Chekwa to start 1 one game, but has played in all 12 games. Chekwa has a total of 29 tackles and 2 tackles for a loss. He has a team high 9 pass break-ups and one interception.
Chekwa is a very good Nickel-back corner. Coming in for the starting role is definitely something different for Chekwa. Zenon has started more games and has more experience. The advantage would be with Zenon because he has more tackles and better numbers.
Safetys
Craig Steltz, senior ? Steltz was a Thorpe Award Finalist for the nation?s best defensive back. Even though this is Steltzs? first year as a starter, he has played in 42 games in his career. He has recorded a team high 89 tackles. He has 5 tackles for loss, a sack, seven broken up pass plays, 3 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He leads LSU with 6 interceptions this season.
Kurt Coleman, sophomore ? Coleman is new to the starting position. He has started all 12 games this season. Coleman is credited with 54 tackles and 3.5 tackles for a loss. Coleman has 1 sack, 4 pass deflections and a forced fumble.
This is both players? first season in the starting role. Coleman has stepped up and taken charge of his starting role. Steltz is very experienced and has better numbers than Coleman. Overall, Steltz would get the advantage here.
Curtis Taylor, junior ? This is Taylor?s first year starting. Taylor has recorded 48 tackles including one for a loss and a sack this season. He has also broken up 6 passes and picked off 2 others. Taylor has one fumble recovery this season as well.
Anderson Russell, sophomore ? Russell has started all 12 games this season. Russell has stepped up in a big way. He is 3rd on the team with 58 tackles and 7 tackles for a loss. He has 3 sacks, 5 pass break-ups and one forced fumble.
Taylor is coming in this season and replacing a first-round draft pick, LaRon Landry. Taylor has accepted his starting role and is a solid player for LSU. Russell has more experience and is 3rd on the team in tackles. For this reason, Russell would get the advantage.
Overall:
OSU ? The Buckeye linebackers are some of the best in the nation. They have a distinct advantage there. If the Buckeye?s defensive line can control the line of scrimmage, the Buckeye Linebackers will be able to attack the ball effectively. The Buckeye secondary is very young. Jenkins will have to have a solid game to back up the 2 sophomores and one freshman in the starting positions.
LSU ? The Tiger Defensive line is a great unit. They have a great advantage here. If the Tigers can control the line of scrimmage and control Chris Wells, look for the secondary to come to life. LSU has 3 seniors and a junior in the secondary. I believe LSU line of scrimmage is the key to this game. If LSU?s veteran defensive line can get into the running lanes and force OSU to throw the ball on 3rd and long, LSU has a great opportunity to win the game. If OSU?s offensive line comes out firing off the ball and knocks LSU?s defensive line off the ball, LSU may be in for a long, tough fight.
