re: If you had to rank the the LSU FB teams from 2000-2012 how would you rank them?

Dooley was on the 03 staff, too. That coaching staff was loaded.

1. 2007 – At first blush, it may seem odd to put a 2-loss (both in triple OT) team in this spot, but I am giving 2007 a break on the injuries and rating them when relatively healthy, which is something I am doing for all the teams. The D definitely struggled later in the year but it could be dominant, too, as shown in VT and the last 3 quarters against Ohio State. The O remains the gold standard for all LSU teams (best statistically in history). The most balanced tiger team on this list.

2. 2003 – The second best D on this list and a pretty darn good offense, too. The O did have a tendency to disappear at times (UF, Ole Miss, and even to a degree, OU), but the D never did.

3. 2011 – This squad was on the way to being the most accomplished NC team EVER when you consider the schedule and results. The D was fierce – the best on this list – and special teams were nothing short of remarkable. But I just can’t get over the fact that the O on this team was, at times, downright BAD. No first downs in a HALF against Ga.? 6 points in regulation against Bama? The debacle in the Dome? A great Tiger team but not a balanced team, and I suspect that in head to head matchups, the much better 2003 and 2007 offenses would have made the difference despite the efforts of the best Tigers D and special teams that I have seen in my lifetime.

4. 2006 – Perhaps the most talented Tiger team I have seen. Unfortunately, it took the O a while to get going and the 3 point showing against Auburn and the 10 point effort against UF prevent this team from being higher. But you can’t put this bunch lower. They showed grit in getting tough, close road wins over TN and Arky (when those teams were quite good) and then destroyed a pretender in the Sugar Bowl.

5. 2005 – These guys overcame Katrina, put the collapse against TN behind them and rattled off a bunch of wins before bowing to UGA in an ugly SECCG. Demolished a top 10 Miami team in the Peach, too. JR had not fully developed yet, but this was a heck of a team.

6. 2001 – I know this team had 3 losses, but the program was still finding itself in the early Saban years. Plus, two of the 3 losses were to outstanding teams in Florida and TN. Rohan to Reed would have given anyone trouble, including some teams ranked on this list.

7. 2010 – A little bit of a strange team, but their only two setbacks were to highly ranked teams on the road. Had some impressive wins, too, and were dominant in the Cotton.

8. 2012 – Hard team to rank. When they played well, this team was impressive and could compete with anyone in the country, but the D was not quite dominant and the O was inconsistent.

9. 2004 – Similar team to 2012. I will never forget the Incredibly gutsy win at Florida … or the collapse in the bowl game. (Thanks, Nick). This team accomplished a lot considering that we were toggling between Marcus Randall and a very raw Jamarcus Russell.

10. 2000 – this team had a lot of talent on it when you consider that it was the first post-Dinardo team. The wins over TN and Miss State were special moments for the program and great wins, to boot. Also give credit to this team for beating Bama in BR for the first time since 1969 (hurts even to type that). This team was also pretty fun to watch.

11. 2009 – This bunch actually had plenty of talent, and this bunch could be ranked lower than they deserve because they were sooo hard to watch. They played hard, though, as evidenced by the win at UGA and the tough loss at Bama.

12. 2008 – We just couldn’t stop anybody in 2008 (Mallveto) and who can forget the pick sixes? Very nice showing the Peach Bowl, though.

13. 2002 – I feel bad putting this team so low because I suspect they would have been able to accomplish more if Mauck hadn’t gone down. Great win on the road at Florida, but 5 losses, including some ugly ones, and some holes in the roster, put the ’02 squad in this spot.

I agree with your list and reasonings, except:

I would swap the last 2, '08 and '02.

'08 was horrid.