Don't bother saying TL;DR. I know its long, but I just wanted to make a point to some of the negative folks.

OK, come on, the doom and gloom needs to ease up a bit. Could we have gotten a better quality class? Yes. Do we have alot of VERY talented, and likely underrated players in this class? DEFINITELY. If we pull in a good class in 2013, are we still able to maintain our position as one of the top-5 NCAA football powers? No doubt.

You can talk about elite programs all you want, but look at the Rivals rankings:

1. Alabama -- the only team that worries me at all. I don't want to see the beginnings of a Pipeline from LA to Bama. Our two teams are quite evenly matched, both athletically, in coaching, and raw talent. Sometimes, the difference in a game can be the big play made by a super-talented guy over a good player.....i.e. Eric Reid's INT in the Nov 5th game. Alabama is about even with LSU, all things considered.

2. Texas -- Bleh, barely bowl eligible the last two years. They have been in decline. They have a huge and fertile recruiting bed in Texas and seem to waste it on overrated recruits. Either that, or they don't coach their players up and build a strong and successful team. They'll continue to be 3rd-6th in the Big-12. LSU is better.

3. Ohio State -- may be trending up with Meyer, but probably not a concern anytime real soon. LSU is MUCH better.

4. Florida -- sucked arse the last two years, even with great talent. Muschamp may bring them out of the hole, but I think we've got their number for at least 2-3 more years. LSU is better

5. Michigan -- another team trending up. I think they got lucky a few times this year and may not be as successful in 2012, but even so, LSU is better.

6. Oklahoma -- they stay near the top of recruiting, but don't always pan out on the field. Should have been better this past year and likely will in 2012. Still not as good as LSU.

7. Fla State -- A team that is SUPPOSEDLY on the upswing, but with dominating recruiting performances the last few years, they're barely winning in the "Who Gives a frick" Bowl 18-14 against a sloppy Notre Dame team and losing in the reg season to Virginia, Clemson, and Wake Forest? They have a LONG way to go to restore Seminole pride. LSU would DESTROY them.

8. Miami -- a lowly 7-6 and not even bowl eligible in 2011. Tracy Howard was an IDIOT for picking Miami. When is the last time LSU went 7-6? Miami looked horrible even in some of their wins, and lost to Virginia, Boston College, and even Gary Crowton's pathetic Maryland. They likely won't be too much better for the forseeable future. LSU would DOMINATE.

9. Clemson -- Do I even have to have to comment about a team that lost 77-33 to West Virginia? They are not even close to ready for the Big-Boy stage....also got stomped by South Carolina, NC State, and Ga Tech. Not even in LSUs league.

10. Texas A&M -- New boys in the SEC. If they didn't learn the meaning of embarrassment from the Cotton Bowl through their 6 losses this season, then they will next season in the SEC West. Not to mention new coach who's gimmick offense and pee-wee defense is going to get torn apart in the SEC. Aggies should finish 5th or 6th in the West next season.

11. USC -- the other pick for preseason #1 next season. Notice anything? They are #11. LSU is #12. Probably the only other team besides Bama that is on LSU's level.

12. LSU -- looking GREAT for the next 2 years, at least.

13. Stanford -- With Luck gone, they will drop back down into mediocrity. The recruit smart players and they coach them up well, but its unlikely they'll sniff the NCG again for a while.

14. UCLA -- I don't think anyone in their right mind could actually conceive that a team with 8 LOSSES is anywhere NEAR the same level as LSU. Not even close. Nothing else to say on that.

15. South Carolina -- Looked decent a few times this season, but still not on the level of LSU, Bama, Arkansas, or even Georgia at the end of the season. Even if they beat out UGA for the East next season, they're still not a real contender fot the SEC against LSU.

16. Notre Dame -- probably wouldn't be anywhere near #16 if Gunner's Mom hadn't started spontaneously lactating and then gone on a selfish tirade to convince him to ignore his own desires and choices for his future and instead to let her make his decision for him out of her own need to be there to wipe his wittle nose after every play. Maybe she can feed him chicken on the sidelines, like that other little Titty-baby from Arkansas.

I know this was a long post, but damn, I'm sick of hearing about how this class is horrible and due to us not having the so-called best player in every category that our team is going to go down in flames. An NCAA football team is made up of players from 5 different recruiting classes. Our classes have been good previously. THIS class is better than many think, and we will likely get another top-10, or even top-5 class once again next year. Our coaches know how to evaluate talent, and, more importantly, we have one of the best conditioning coaches in the nation, and our coaches know how to train and teach players in order to enable them to perform to their utmost ability. They can turn 3-star players into top-10 draft picks.

We are LSU, and we will continue to be successful, JUST LIKE WE WERE THIS SEASON when we went 13-1!!!

This post was edited on 2/2/12 at 8:43 am