The rankings and the SEC West

Usually each year, Alabama and LSU are in the fight for the SEC West crown. Last year Auburn snuck into the mix. Since 2006, out of the 5 BCS championships 3 of them have been won by the SEC West. (Auburn, Alabama, LSU) It looks as if the tradition is going to continue. After week 1, I think right now there is no question who is the cream of this division in the “best conference in football”. And it is NOT who you think…

This week Alabama played Kent State. There were certain parts of their game that were impressive. Jalston Fowler had a great performance. He is a big, physical back that can get outside and break the big run. Marquis Maze had a big game. He caught 8 balls for 118 yards and a TD, while also returning 8 punts for 96 yards and one kickoff for 39 yards. It also seems that Eddie Lacy has gotten over his disease. Last season he was diagnosed with the fumbles, but seems that he has rehabbed and has it under control. He also looked very good catching the football. It appears that Alabama has a solid #2 RB. The offensive tackle that gave Auburn the okie doke Cyrus Kouandjio looked great in pass protection and run blocking. This kid is the real deal. With his play, Barrett Jones may be able to move back inside to his natural guard position.

But Tide fans don’t act like we didn’t watch the same game and saw some glaring holes that need to be fixed ASAP. The offensive line in the run game was pretty good; but in pass protection they were NOT good. They allowed numerous pressures on two young QBs and forced them into early throws. The QBs threw 4 interceptions to a Kent State defense that was mediocre at best. Although McCarron separated himself from Sims with his numbers, they both threw 2 interceptions. Also don’t say you didn’t see those WRs for Kent State running wild in the secondary. The very first play of the game Dre’ Kirkpatrick got beat, but the WR dropped the ball. The Golden Flashes dropped A LOT of passes. They cannot go to Beaver Stadium playing like that. Saban has some work to do. Now don’t say, “Well Auburn struggled.” This isn’t about Auburn; it’s about the fact that you guys have problems too. Alabama just played a far worst team than Utah State.

LSU took a big risk scheduling Oregon in the first game of the season. Although it was in Dallas, it was a home game for LSU. Oregon is a very fast team. So don’t discredit that. But the speed that LSU has across the board is absolutely astonishing. The only thing that was more impressive than that Defense is the depth that they have at these positions. LSU played in the backfield the entire game. They smothered an Oregon running attack that ranked top 5 in the country last year. The secondary was all over the WR’s. It took 31 passes to get to 240 yards. That is 7.7 yards per completion. LSU fans should be very excited about that defense.
Now LSU also has some holes they have to fix. The WRs have to catch the football. Randle had ONE catch. He is supposed to be the big play WR. The TE Peterson led the team in receptions and yards. At one point in the game, he was the only player catching the ball. The suspension of Jordan Jefferson and Russell Sheppard are huge and it shows in the production of the offense. What is going to happen when a team takes the run away and you are FORCED to pass the ball? The problems will soon follow depending on the offensive team there now.

But right now, who is better?

I am basing my view not on the good, but on the bad. Alabama is seeing the issues on BOTH sides of the ball. That secondary problem is something that is going to last ALL SEASON LONG. That is the weakness of the defense. The front seven will have to constantly generate pressure in order for them to be masked. Kirkpatrick is the weakest link. The offensive line in pass protection will have to protect these young QBs to give them time to complete passes. If they throw 4 interceptions against any other team with a defense as opportunistic as LSU, Alabama loses.

LSU will get Russell Sheppard back within the next 2 games. His leadership could possibly help the WRs that LSU has on the roster. I think that Jordan Jefferson will get off of this charge and be there to lead LSU and show that he is a better QB than last year’s numbers show. If LSU cannot throw the ball, people will start stacking the box against that run game. Wearing out defenders doesn’t work in the SEC.

LSU has problems on one side of the ball. Right now LSU is the class of the SEC West. They are the most complete defense top to bottom in the conference, and possibly the country. We all know one thing. Defense wins championships. There is no question that LSU definitely has that. Based on the caliber of team that LSU played and how impressive they won, I think that LSU should be ranked #2 or even #1 in the country.