[metsjetsfan]

Let me make this clear: I do not buy the SEC hype machine.  I do not think the SEC is by far the best conference that we should all bow down to.  It is pretty clear that the SEC is very top-heavy and average as a whole.

BUT, I think it would be foolish to dismiss the LSU/Alabama defenses as any less than what they are, and that is the best defenses in the nation.  I do not think either defense is amazing because they are in the SEC.  I think they are exceptional because, looking at them from a completely unbiased standpoint, they simply have incredible athletes all over the defense and particularly in the front 7.  Watching the Stanford/OSU game then the Alabama/LSU game, you cannot objectively say that Stanford possesses or has faced an opponent that has defensive players of LSU/Alabama's caliber.  Their freshman DT Anthony Johnson weighs 315 and runs a 4.8--I mean, come on, that is absurd!

Also, both teams average 39 points a game, so these are NOT "horrible" offenses.  Limiting ANY offense to only field goals is not a small feat!  In fact, I'm rather confident in saying that, since we couldn't do it against any team but SJS, we would not able to do that against LSU/Alabama.  Although again, I think our defense is good enough to limit either team to maybe 15-25 points.

And it's not as if both LSU/Alabama have been facing mediocre offenses all year.  LSU, for all intents and purposes, shut down an Oregon offense that will likely score in bunches against us.  Alabama limited a powerful Arkansas offense to only 2 touchdowns.  Stanford and Luck has not faced a defense of the caliber of either LSU or Alabama, and that is simply a fact.  So let's give credit when credit is due!

Let me also be clear in saying this: I do not think either team would roll over Stanford.  A great quarterback can overcome a great defense.  However, Luck has not done that yet (Virginia Tech's defense is NOT at the same level of either team).  Not saying that he wouldn't!  Just saying he hasn't done it yet, and going against LSU/Alabama would be a great chance to prove the hype is true.

By listing out all the factors that make Stanford seem inferior, I know I'm sounding like a very pessimistic Stanford fan and pro-SEC stan.  But I believe I'm being fair in my evaluation of how we'd do against either team.  Now, I just hope to God that we'll have a chance to actually watch the game happen.

The reason I started this thread was because I think it would be fascinating to discuss how'd we matchup against these ballyhooed defenses.  And it'd be nice to revisit this post should our dreams actually come to fruition and we face LSU in the NCG! Of course, let's beat the Ducks on Saturday!!!

[metsjetsfan]

Let me make this clear: I do not buy the SEC hype machine.  I do not think the SEC is by far the best conference that we should all bow down to.  It is pretty clear that the SEC is very top-heavy and average as a whole.

BUT, I think it would be foolish to dismiss the LSU/Alabama defenses as any less than what they are, and that is the best defenses in the nation.  I do not think either defense is amazing because they are in the SEC.  I think they are exceptional because, looking at them from a completely unbiased standpoint, they simply have incredible athletes all over the defense and particularly in the front 7.  Watching the Stanford/OSU game then the Alabama/LSU game, you cannot objectively say that Stanford possesses or has faced an opponent that has defensive players of LSU/Alabama's caliber.  Their freshman DT Anthony Johnson weighs 315 and runs a 4.8--I mean, come on, that is absurd!

Also, both teams average 39 points a game, so these are NOT "horrible" offenses.  Limiting ANY offense to only field goals is not a small feat!  In fact, I'm rather confident in saying that, since we couldn't do it against any team but SJS, we would not able to do that against LSU/Alabama.  Although again, I think our defense is good enough to limit either team to maybe 15-25 points.

And it's not as if both LSU/Alabama have been facing mediocre offenses all year.  LSU, for all intents and purposes, shut down an Oregon offense that will likely score in bunches against us.  Alabama limited a powerful Arkansas offense to only 2 touchdowns.  Stanford and Luck has not faced a defense of the caliber of either LSU or Alabama, and that is simply a fact.  So let's give credit when credit is due!

Let me also be clear in saying this: I do not think either team would roll over Stanford.  A great quarterback can overcome a great defense.  However, Luck has not done that yet (Virginia Tech's defense is NOT at the same level of either team).  Not saying that he wouldn't!  Just saying he hasn't done it yet, and going against LSU/Alabama would be a great chance to prove the hype is true.

By listing out all the factors that make Stanford seem inferior, I know I'm sounding like a very pessimistic Stanford fan and pro-SEC stan.  But I believe I'm being fair in my evaluation of how we'd do against either team.  Now, I just hope to God that we'll have a chance to actually watch the game happen.

The reason I started this thread was because I think it would be fascinating to discuss how'd we matchup against these ballyhooed defenses.  And it'd be nice to revisit this post should our dreams actually come to fruition and we face LSU in the NCG! Of course, let's beat the Ducks on Saturday!!!