re: Bama opponents vs LSU's so far

Okay, take out the top offenses that both teams have played and the 2 common opponents (the stats against UF and UT are almost identical), and let's see the remainder of who LSU & Bama played:

Alabama -

Kent State = 119th offense
Penn State = 102th
North Texas= 105th
Vandy = 80th
Ole Miss = 104th


LSU -

MSU = 83rd
WVU = 17th
UK = 114th
Auburn = 72th


Bama average: 102
LSU average: 71.5

Plus, if you consider that Oregon (LSU's best) is ranked #4 and Arkansas (Bama's best) is ranked #20, lower than LSU's second best, it is telling, to be sure.

LSU has played MUCH better offenses than Bama has over the season.

Against common opponents, Bama has done a bit better, but the stats are very close:

LSU vs. Tennessee - 383 to 239 score 38-7
LSU vs. Florida - 453 - 213 score, 41-11

Alabama vs. Florida - 366 to 222; score 38-10
Alabama vs. Tennessee - 437 to 155; score 37-6

Average LSU 39.5-9.0 418 total offense, 226 total defense
Average Alabama 37.5-8.0 401.5 total offense, 188.5 total defense

So, Alabama has the edge in giving up 37.5 yards and 1.0 points per game less than LSU is.

LSU has the edge in offense averaging 16.5 yards per game and 2.0 points per game more.