Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Moe
A healthy LSU with a month to game plan can beat anybody in the country. I'm not saying LSU will win 55-10, but a sound 3 TD win is possible.
OSU is #1 in total defense, staunch no doubt.
LSU is ranked third in total defense, not too shabby.
OSU played 2 teams (Penn State, Michigan) in the top 30 in total defense. LSU played 4 (Va Tech. Auburn, Mississippi St., and Alabama) and beat them all. I suppose those stats are inflated due to the lack of offense in the SEC.
Wait...How about playing teams in the top 30 offensively?
LSU played 3 (Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky) overall, 1-2 with two triple overtime losses. LSU is in the top 30 total offense as well (#21).
Ohio State? Zero, they played nobody in the top 30 total offense. Where is Ohio State's offense ranked? #58.
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/t...ts/stats2.aspx
Scheduling cupcakes? Well, Ohio State plays that game too (Youngstown St., Akron, Kent St.) I'll hand it to them for scheduling a tough Washington team in Seattle. (I really do like U-Dub, they disappointed me this year.) I think Virginia Tech is a bit more of a handful than Washington, even if it was at home.
Strength of schedule? LSU 26, Ohio State 43
Ohio State bowl record vs. the SEC (since 1980) 0-7... 
Granted, you can find stats to back up any claim, I just provided these to defend LSU against the claims of somehow being "overrated."
I guess we'll just have to see when they meet in the Superdome. |
All of that means little.
I know LSU's resume is more impressive than Ohio State's. No one is going to deny that.
LSU may have made a pretty tough schedule, but they didn't look good doing it. Like I've been saying, they haven't won a game against a BCS opponent by more than a touchdown since South Carolina in September. Ohio State didn't play great competition, but they beat down everyone in their path. Their only loss was their only close game.
You can say OSU is 1st in total D and LSU is 3rd, but that's misleading. Ohio State gives up 58 less yards per game than LSU - that's the same difference between 3rd and 35th. Oh yeah, 9 less points per game too. LSU's offense is better, but by about 50 yards per game and 6 points effectively cancelling out Ohio State's defensive advantage.
What Ohio State did in the 80's with different players, different coaches, etc., etc. is irrelevant. I really hate when people bring up stupid stuff like that.
LSU played Tulane, Middle Tenn. State, and Louisiana Tech. And people complain about Ohio State playing cupcakes. At least they do it based on helping fellow Ohio programs get some national spotlight.
I find it funny that so much is made of how crappy Ohio State's schedule when they're only 17 spots lower in Strength of Schedule than LSU...and had a better record too.
I'm not saying Ohio State is sure to win, but a 3 TD win seems excessive for LSU. They can hardly beat a BCS opponent by 7 on a weekly basis, but they're going to destroy the best defense in the country? Ohio State's given up 21 points once this season, but all of a sudden they're going to lose by that much? I doubt that.
And for those who think the fact that the game is in the Superdome, think again. LSU has lost at home already this season. More importantly, Ohio State fans travel as well as any in the country. For bowl games, tickets are split 50/50 in availability for both teams so don't be surprised when half the stadium is cheering for Ohio State.