[Montana Moe]

[quote]

Originally Posted by JayP

All of that means little.

I know JayP, I went on my rant as sort of pre-emptive strike hoping to minimize the non productive stat fests attempting to deligitimize LSU. I hate statistical arguments when it comes to college football. Unless you are talking about two teams in the same conference, I think they are irrelevant. There are too many differences in quality of opponent, and style of play to mine any relevant nuggets of information.

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.

I think the fact that the amount of teams in the upper echelon of offenses/defenses each team has played makes a bigger difference. LSU had to score more points because the offenses they were playing were better. LSU's stats are also inflated on both sides of the ball due to the triple overtime games. Negatively for defense, positively for offense.

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 don't quite understand what you are trying to say here. Tulane and La. Tech are Louisiana schools they schedule to get some national spotlight. Tulane got a lot of pub when they were leading LSU at halftime. I posted OSU's cupcakes because that is one of the biggest gripes about LSU.

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.

O.K. 14 points.

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.

I seem to recall an advantage in crowd noise in the championship in 2004 (2003 season), and last season's Sugar Bowl against two teams that travel very well, (Both in the Superdome). Maybe it was the play on the field that had the opposing fans sitting on their hands?

Clever Iggy:

As for the teams - I dont buy OSU. You made some very good points JayP, but they beat teams handly that just arent very good. The beautiful thing is - we'll see in a month who's right.

Amen Brother