re: Has LSU recruiting been = to Bama's? say... last 5 yrs.

I look at it 2 ways.

Purely by rankings, Bama has outrecruited LSU and there's no debate about it. Bama is a recruiting machine not seen since the Carroll USC days(though Kiffin is doing the same thing so maybe it's just USC) but maybe even better aside from the qb position.

As far as pure talent I'd say Bama has more talented overall depth but in regards to the top 44, most people felt LSU was more talented last year. Many people said we were the most talented team in the country aside from at the qb position. That is debatable and know one really knows for sure but the pro evaluators had that line of thinking last year and will this year. After that is not able to be answered right now. No one has seen the young kids perform on the field.

The reason for LSU being equal in talent without the rankings showing it is the major flaw in recruiting evals. It's all based on potential and upside and that can't be fully determined until the kids are in a college program with the coaching and strength programs. Some kids flourish while others do not. Also the flaw that LA just is not thoroughly evaluated by recruiting people. There are a ton of extremely gifted kids in LA that are severly under the radar and blossom with proper coaching and strength programs. Examples like Claiborne, Bennie Logan, Barkevious Mingo(ranked well but no one saw him being what he has become), Tyrann Mathieu and PJ Lonergan and that's just the kids now. It's just part of the flaws of recruiting sites and not really something that will change.

On paper, Bama should be leaps and bounds above everyone, not based on one particular class but based on a collective of the classes but aren't though LSU is really the only school thisclose . That tells me the Bama and LSU staffs are better evaluators and coaches than even the best analysts say. Just imagine if LSU had a qb the level of McElroy and McCarron the last 4 years. Would have been something to see. Those 2 guys aren't the flashy, headline grabbing guys but work in the system and take the coaching they recieve and maximize it on the field. That's all LSU needs and the same for Bama.

My take by position of Bama/LSU

QB-Kind of 2 sided. McCarron is the best of the bunch because he's proven but LSU has better talent in terms of depth. I think the Morris kid is maybe the 2nd or 3rd best talent on both teams but he's competing with Mett and Liggins for those spots. It's a tossup. Advantage Bama because McCarron has proven his worth though Mettenberger is the better talent.

RB-I think Bama has the top 2 talents in Yeldon and Hart but LSU's depth wins this one overall. All of LSU's guys are at the Eddie Lacy level and just a slight notch below Yeldon and Hart. Advantage LSU because 5 guys have proven their talent and Jeremy Hill may be the best of the group as the 6th.

WR-Advantage Bama though I believe Beckham is the best talent of the 2 groups. Bama's depth is a level better than LSU's.

TE-advantage Bama. Not very close imo. If John Thomas had made it in then LSU would be closer but he didn't.

OL- Very close and I'd say even because it's just too close. Cyrus K is the best talent.

DE-Advantage LSU and it's not real close. Depth is closer than most LSU people would care to admit but Mingo and Montgomery make this one a big advantage for LSU. Mingo is the best talent.

DT-Advantage LSU and it comes down to depth. If Bama had a 4-3 then this position would be much closer than LSU fans care to think. Most of Bama's DL are traditional 4-3 DTs and would make this very close if not in Bama's favor. 2 best talents are Jessie Williams and Anthony Johnson. Ego Ferguson isn't far behind in terms of talent.

LB-Bama and i's not even a fair comparison. Even if Bama had a 4-3 they'd have the advantage. Just another level of LB at Bama. LSU's improved a ton in the last class but Bama's was still better. That's scary. Quite a few of Bama's guys could be the top talent but I give the edge to Hubbard. That guy is a freak and would push Mingo at DE in a 4-3 based purely on talent

CB-Pretty even but LSU gets the advantage because of proven talents in Mathieu and Simon. Depth wise it's pretty even. Tough position to determine the best talent. Milliner, Simon, Jalen Collins and Belue are all extremely talented kids.

S-Pretty even but I give the advantage to Bama. The depth put it over the edge for Bama. Reid and Loston are more talented as the starters and experienced guys but Bama's youth is more talented than LSU's. Another tough one to determine the best pure talent. Landon Collins, HCD,Reid and Corey Thompson are all exceptional talents. I give a slight edge to Collins in terms of pure talent.

That's 5 for Bama, 4 for LSU and 1 even. Overall it's pretty even across the board but I think Bama has a slight depth talent advantage but it's too small to make a difference. All comes down to coaching and in game adjustments for these 2 schools. Bama has a slight advantage there but it's not as much as they or the media think.