Quote:
i firmly believe that OKST's poor defense would allow LSU to score probably 60 points or more.
Okie state allowed 25.8 points per game this sean. And their only dominating defensive performance was against Texas Tech.
Conversely, we can see what Bama's defense has done this year.
They have only allowed 8.3 points per game. And played 5 opponents that are still ranked in the top 25 at the end of the season.
And kept LSU out of the end zone for an entire game.
So, it might be darned frustrating. But I simply can't argue against Bama at #2.
sorry...
Heh. It's a slow day for me, so . . .
OK State may have given up 25.8 points a game, but shall we consider the opposition with which they had to contend?
First, the average offensive ranking of Alabama's opponents this season is #92. LSU's offense is only ranked #75 (and interestingly enough is the second best offense, according to the statistics, Alabama played this year).
The average offensive ranking of OKST's opponents is #37. OK State gave up 24 points to Baylor's #2 rated offense, but 21 of those points came in the 4th quarter when OSU was playing its subs (Pokes won 59-24). OK State also held OU's 4th ranked offense to 10 points, Texas AM's 7th ranked offense to 29 points (third lowest behind the 25 points each Texas and OU allowed), and MIssouri's 12th ranked offense to 24 points. For good measure, Texas Tech's offense is rated #14 (OK State held the red raiders to 270 yards and 6 points -- the game was in Lubbock); Arkansas, the best offense Alabama faced, statistically, is ranked #27 (Alabama held the hogs to 14 points and 226 yards -- the game was in Tuscaloosa).
The big 12 puts up points and moves the ball: It's a different type of league than what the SEC is. The SEC plays defense, but what about offense?
I'm also curious about the "five opponents that are still ranked in the top 25"? Penn State is ranked #22, while Arkansas is #6, LSU #1 (played but obviously lost), and Auburn #25. Is Georgia Southern some kind of top 25 power in Division IAA? Unless you were referring to Top 25 defenses based on points allowed per game. In that case, Alabama has played 4 in the top 25 and 5 in the top 26.
And similarly to you, I'm a fan of the rival. Though I may root for OU, I'm not blind to the fact that OSU was left out for reasons not pertaining 100% to performance on the football field.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/stats/byteam?cat1=offense&cat2=Total&conference=I-A_all&year=2011&sort=524