Posts Tagged ‘lsu’
Last year, Tyrann Mathieu was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Today, he is without a team.
The LSU Tigers have dismissed Mathieu, last year’s Chuck Bednarik Award recipient as the nation’s top defensive player, after repeated violations of the team’s substance-abuse policy.
National title game tonight: does LSU get share of title regardless of outcome?
Undefeated record. Eight wins against ranked opponents. Three wins against teams ranked in the top three at the time. One of the greatest regular seasons in college football history. Have the Tigers of Louisiana State done enough to secure a share of the national title?
Personally I don’t think so.
While LSU should be commended for their undefeated season; the current BCS format crowns the winner of the title game as champion. That is the law of the land, and needs to be respected. Yes, wins against tonight’s opponent Alabama and both of last year’s title game teams in Oregon and Auburn are very impressive. That being said, there is still football left to be played. The easiest way to eliminate the controversy, win the game.
We are only a few hours away from perhaps the biggest college football game this season (besides the BCS championship game). For the first time in history the #1 and #2 teams are both from both from the SEC and are meeting in regular season. This game, which may have national championship implications, will most certainly live up to all the hype.
#1 ranked Louisiana State sports the nation’s third best offense and 12th best defense and they have earned both rankings. Their strength of schedule thus far may have been the toughest in the country. They have played (and beat) no less than five teams that were ranked in the top 25. This includes wins against both Auburn and Oregon, and by handling both teams from last year’s championship game (by a combined score of 85-37), LSU has cemented their place atop the standings.
While LSU may be ranked number one, Alabama is a five point favorite heading into the match-up. How could this be? How could people believe that #2 is better than #1? Alabama has the best offense in the country and their defense is ranked 11th. While this is very impressive, the #2 ranking has to do with strength of schedule. Aside from an impressive win against West Virginia, Alabama simply hasn’t faced the same caliber of opponents as the Tigers. This isn’t to say that Alabama isn’t as good, just they haven’t been tested as much. Playing at Bryant-Denny Stadium, in front of a sea of crimson, may be enough to justify a five point edge.