Well, that’s what you call “saving the best for last.” Most people believed that LSU was the best all-around team college football had seen in the last quarter-century. Most people were wrong. The weakness of the Tigers all year has been on the offensive side of the ball (though you certainly would not be able to prove that from the statistics the LSU offense has posted) and that’s certainly not an insult to the offense. It’s just that the Tiger defense was first-rate and the offense good enough to move the ball and score on every team in the country — every team but one.
The same could be said for Alabama. The offense has clearly been the weakest part of the team (well, along with special teams). The defense has been the best defense the Tide has ever had (and yes, I’m not forgetting the 92 champs or the 61 champs) — this one was the best and proved it Monday night. They were able to hold LSU to five (5!) first downs all night. They only allowed LSU into Alabama territory one time (yes, you read it correctly, the LSU offense only crossed the 50 yard-line once . . . in the fourth quarter). They exposed the LSU offensive weakness (line and QB) and left the Tigers beaten, whipped, and ready to quit . . . and with only 92 total yards gained for the entire game. Alabama is the first team since Oklahoma in 1986 to lead the nation in fewest points allowed, rushing defense, passing defense and total defense.
On the other side, LSU’s offense was unable to exploit a weakened Bama defensive backfield (with none of the dbs playing at 100% because of nagging injuries). They apparently felt that they didn’t need to make any changes from their offensive scheme used in the November 5 game — which proved to be a huge, no, make that HUGE mistake.
After the game, the Lester said, “I didn’t see that coming.” Really? Where were you on November 5, Les? LSU was unable to move the ball consistently on November 5, yet somehow believed that they would be able to do so on January 9 . . . with the same offensive approach? Wow. Les was clearly more willing to believe the stories written about his team rather than what he saw with his own eyes in the first game. Not even the defense appeared prepared to counteract the Tide’s attack (if the Honey Badger takes what he wants — apparently he had no desire to make a difference in this game). The fault here, however, lies with a coaching staff that encouraged a deadly complacency and self-confidence against the only team in the country that was capable of beating them.
Alabama for its part, made several critical adjustments from the November 5 game. The Tide coaches realized that we needed to be more aggressive on first down against the superb LSU defense. We had to throw the ball more and we did. There were also changes made in special teams’ coverage and return units — to take away the advantage LSU had in those areas . . . and these adjustments worked as well. Bama realized that you can’t beat a great team without seeking to nullify their strengths (the running game and special teams) and exploiting their weaknesses. Rather than ignoring November 5, we learned from it. And that made the difference in this game.
The Alabama offense was (as it has been all year with the exception of one game) good enough against the second best defense in the country. The Tide kept them off balance and on their heels the entire game. Only when Bama got deep into LSU territory was the Tiger defense to stop them. AJ McCarron played his best game of the season (well, maybe his second best game, Auburn may have been his best game) and Alabama’s offensive line gave him the protection needed to make quick passes and gain important yards against the LSU defense. The line also was able to opened the way for Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy to do their work as well — with the capper being Richardson’s 34 TD run for Bama’s final score.
In the end, Alabama put down the most decisive victory that has ever been seen in a BCS National Championship game. The first shutout in the game’s history. Les Miles said it would be “Big Boy” football. It was. Except only one “Big Boy” showed up.
So, by Monday evening, things were again just as they are supposed to be in the world of college football.
Oh, and if you’re counting, that’s fourteen National Championships.
In April, we’ll start preparation for number 15.
RTR.
My brother told me the same thing you brought out in the fourth paragraph.