re: Why Were Bama & LSU So Much Better Last Year?

I think LSU had a few things going to start the season. The opener against Oregon really primed LSU for a fast start. After a few wins including tough road tests at MSU and WVU, LSU, with a stingy D and a threat of a vertical passing game had a string of games against mediocre to bad QBs (UK, UF, UT, AUB), gaining a ton of confidence heading into the Bama game. Bama was not reading their keys defensively against the option attack that night. Ole Miss was Ole Miss, just terrible.

Once JJ took over, the vertical offense sputtered, Kenny Hilliard emerged, and the offense fed off of the defense, the special play of TM7, and the many short fields, culminating in the offensively mindfrick of a performance in the BCSNCG.