LSU Tigers
Southeastern Conference
Les Miles, Tyrann Mathieu and the Louisiana State Tigers are the high definition television of FBS football. They are crisper, more efficient, cleaner looking and just plain better than everything else. Sure there are 3D televisions in the Big 12 and Pac 12 that have more flash but less substance. And standard definition televisions in the ACC and Big 10 beat the hell out of radio. But none of these schools can compete with the power and prestige of HD. LSU is HD. And I know what you are thinking. Yes, Ole Miss is indeed that grainy, poorly shot, internet streaming video that just won’t stop buffering.
2011 Record: 13-0, 8-0
Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 Cotton Bowl vs. Texas A&M (W 41-24)
Big Wins: 9/3 vs. Oregon (40-27), 11/5 at Alabama (9-6)
Bad Losses: none
Coach: Les Miles (75-17 at LSU, 103-38 overall)
Bowl Record: 5-1 at LSU, 6-3 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Greg Studrawa
Defensive Coordinator: John Chavis
Strengths:
For the best team in the nation, strengths come in many forms. Their defense is first-rate. All the expected statistics are there: they finished top five in the nation in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense. They are also superb at rushing the quarterback (registering nearly three sacks per contest) and forcing turnovers (leading the entire country in turnover margin). The former was usually executed by the big boys up front, Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, while the latter was buoyed by the best defensive player in the nation, Tyrann Mathieu. The Honey Badger, as he is so affectionately called, did everything for the LSU defense. He led the team in tackles out of the defensive backfield, intercepted passes, forced fumbles (oh did he force fumbles!), recovered fumbles, scored touchdowns and shut down opposing receivers. If any defensive player will make the trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation this season, it will be Tyrann Mathieu. But LSU was not all defense either. Their offense was very good (the Alabama game not withstanding). LSU scored over 38 points per game while racking up well over 200 yards per game on the ground behind a bevy of talented runners. In addition, the Tigers were very adept at special teams. With tremendous punting and punt return units as well as a reliable field goal kicker, there were simply very few holes in this LSU juggernaut.
Weaknesses:
For a team so very talented and so utterly successful, there was only one conspicuous weakness: the passing game. The numbers are certainly bad. Tallying less than 175 yards per game through the air, LSU just barely cracks the top 100 in the nation in passing offense. Other than Rueben Randle and Odell Beckham Junior, there wasn’t a single pass catcher that produced numbers resembling a full season’s worth of work. But beyond the peripherals, the quarterback position was simply uninspiring. Because of the early season suspension to last year’s starter Jordan Jefferson, senior Jarrett Lee got the ball to start the year. He didn’t play badly but he never played all that well either. The offense was geared to protect him and as long as he wasn’t making mistakes, they could flourish. Once Jefferson came back and was being acclimated into the offense, it seemed only a matter of time before the switch back was made. Even though Lee was winning and wasn’t turning the ball over, he wasn’t really doing anything to help LSU either. After his second interception in the Alabama game (two of the worst throws a quarterback has made all season mind you), it seemed as though Jarrett Lee had thrown his last pass as an LSU Tiger. It was pretty close to being the case. He has thrown just five total passes since. Meanwhile, Jordan Jefferson has officially taken over and been…average at best. He can run, which aids the offense more than Lee ever could, but he still is not accurate nor an exceptional passer. Quarterback will continue to be LSU’s one and only team weakness.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Michael Ford, RB, 755 yards
Passing: Jarrett Lee, QB, 1,306 yards
Receiving: Rueben Randle, WR, 904 yards
Tackles: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, 70
Sacks: Sam Montgomery, DE, 9.0
Interceptions: Morris Claiborne, CB, 6
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 215.83 (18th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 171.00 (100, 9)
Total Offense: 386.83 (62, 4)
Scoring Offense: 38.17 (13, 1)
Rushing Defense: 86.08 (4, 2)
Pass Defense: 162.33 (6, 3)
Total Defense: 248.42 (2, 2)
Scoring Defense: 10.58 (2, 2)
Turnover Margin: 1.58 (1, 1)
Sacks: 2.75 (16, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.00 (15, 1)
