re: Why do LSU and UGA fans hate their elite coaches?

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bc they both are drastic underachievers according to talent.

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Here is LSU's preseason and end of season ranks according to the AP poll every season since Les has been here...

Year - Preseason Rank - End of Season Rank
2012 - 3 - Currently 7, pending bowls
2011 - 4 - 2
2010 - 21 - 8
2009 - 11 - 17
2008 - 7 - Unranked
2007 - 2 - 1
2006 - 8 - 3
2005 - 5 - 6

We can use this a rough guide of performance verse talent. While not completely true, preseason rankings are a testament to the talent of teams. That's why we see teams like USC starting off number 1 this year even though everyone knew that Kiffin would have them end up far lower than that.

Then, if we take 3 games as a "close enough" prediction, then Les' teams had outperformed expectations in 2006 and 2010, while falling short of expectations in 2008 and 2009 (note, I am assuming we win our bowl game and finish at least 6th, bc I'm an optimist). If we got straight rankings, LSU overperformed in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011, while underperforming in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2012. Pretty damn even. While he certainly doesn't have his teams overplay their talent, saying that they consistently underplay it is absurd.