I do think this year is a bit skewed since we finally have some talent returning. But the disparity is not specific to this year.

NFL Draft Picks by Year:
2007: LSU 5 / Bama 3
2008: LSU 7 / Bama 0
2009: LSU 6 / Bama 4
2010: LSU 6 / Bama 7
2011: LSU 6 / Bama 5
2012: LSU 5 / Bama 8
2013: LSU 9 / Bama 9
2014: LSU 9 / Bama 8
2015: LSU 4 / Bama 7
2016: LSU 5 / Bama 7
2017: LSU 8 / Bama 10
2018: LSU 7 / Bama 12
2019*: LSU 3 / Bama 10

Recruiting Rankings (247 Composite) By Year:
2007: LSU 5 / Bama 12
2008: LSU 13 / Bama 3
2009: LSU 1 / Bama 3
2010: LSU 9 / Bama 4
2011: LSU 8 / Bama 1
2012: LSU 13 / Bama 1
2013: LSU 6 / Bama 1
2014: LSU 2 / Bama 1
2015: LSU 5 / Bama 1
2016: LSU 2 / Bama 1
2017: LSU 7 / Bama 1
2018: LSU 15 / Bama 5
2019: LSU 5 / Bama 1

I just don’t understand why some people refuse to acknowledge the recruiting disparity between LSU and Bama. It seems like some folks think it might somehow absolve the coaches for losing 8 in a row. Newsflash: recruiting is one of the most important parts of a head coach’s job! While I think Orgeron has done a better job than Les (for the most part) of addressing team needs, he still hasn’t proven that he can close that recruiting gap. (I’m not certain anyone can, and my cynical side thinks it’s just because they have better bagmen and are untouchable. But I digress...)

The other thing I see is “but Clemson” or “but Ms State”.. yes, inferior teams have beaten Bama over the past few years. Going undefeated is really hard to do, and at some point most good teams do lose to inferior opposition. It happens every year. But since the 2011 season, Nick Saban is 102-10. In that time he is 58-6 in SEC games. And that’s including our win in the “GotC” and a fricking miracle for Auburn in the Kick Six game.

Has Dabo been able to beat them with inferior talent? Obviously. I think Dabo is an excellent coach. He also has the built-in advantage of playing inferior teams in the ACC, but he’s winning 50% vs. Saban so I don’t want to take anything away from him. The thing I don’t understand is people acting like the expectation should be to win against Bama by out-scheming them with less talent. Why isn’t the expectation to put a better team than them on the field!?

Give me 7 straight #1 recruiting classes over a brilliant playcaller ANY day.