BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ANALYSIS

THE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
A look at LSU versus Alabama, Part Deux
By John Broussard
An admittedly biased sports fan whose area of expertise is investments & economics
___________________________________

Bowl Game Analysis – The big Bowl games are usually decided by turnovers and special teams because the long layoff usually has a negative effect on the crispness of execution on both sides of the ball. We have seen these two teams play each other and already know that they are very closely matched on offense and defense. Both teams played after their early November matchup and so both teams have evolved slightly since that game, certainly Jordan Jefferson of LSU has benefitted from the extra starts and LSUs offensive line is healthy. Still, they both are who they are. Run oriented offenses, teams relying on defensive dominated strategy. LSU gave up a combined 55 points in its last six games. Bama gave up a combined 57 points in its last five games. No one's scoring 70 points in this bowl game. Of note, LSU's layoff has been less than Bama's and the game is being played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LOUISIANA.

The BCS - What few of us like to see is a rematch to decide a national championship. It is simple logic in the best of the American spirit: You had your shot; you lost; now it's someone else's turn. So this year again underscored the flaws in a BCS system that seems to routinely exclude worthy challengers. My guess is that if Oklahoma State's name was Texas, or Ohio State, or USC, or Notre Dame and they had beat Oklahoma 42 to 10 in the last game of the year, then Alabama would be playing in some other bowl game. Life's unfair, the BCS system sucks, get used to it. Hate the system, don't hate the players. Advantage – playoff system

Hardware – Les Miles is the Home Depot Coach of the Year (yes, The Mad Hatter himself); The Chief, LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis, is the Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year; LSU's Morris Claiborne is the Jim Thorpe Award winner for the best defensive back; LSU's Tyrann Mathieu is the Chuck Bednarik Award winner for the best defensive player; Alabama's Barrett Jones is the Outland Trophy winner symbolic of the best offensive lineman; and Bama's Trent Richardson is the Doak Walker Award winner as the best running back. LSU is the SEC Western Division Champion and LSU is the SEC Champion. Alabama is the state champion of Alabama. Advantage – LSU

Strength of Schedule – LSU has played what the NCAA has ranked as this year's toughest schedule. They have been ranked #1 since September, playing most of their games with that target on their backs. LSU has played and beaten a record 8 ranked teams this year. LSU has played and beaten 3 teams ranked in the Top 3 of the national polls. At the time that LSU has played them, LSU has beaten #3 Oregon, #25 Mississippi St., #16 West Virginia, #17 Florida, #19 Auburn, #2 Alabama, #3 Arkansas and #12 Georgia for the SEC Championship. Alabama has played 4 ranked teams this year and lost to one of them, LSU. LSU takes over games in the second half after wearing out teams. It is just too hard to withstand the onslaught of running backs and defensive linemen that LSU grinds teams down with. If LSU starts fast and plays their 'A' game, they win. Advantage – LSU

Coaches - LSU has a really good coach who is cool and says all kinds of whacked out stuff no one can understand. Les Miles' steady hand has guided his team through adversity and controversy to an undefeated season. He's a family oriented man that treats his players like an extension of that family. Alabama has a really good coach who is slick in front of the cameras and kind of a prick when the lights go off. The maniac on the sideline is who he is. Nick Saban, the media darling, actually has a LOSING record in Bowl games, 6 losses versus 5 wins. You never see THAT written up by the sports media. To be fair, he is 3 wins versus 1 loss at Alabama. Meanwhile Les Miles has a WINNING record in Bowl games, 6 wins versus 3 losses, 5 and 1 at LSU. Miles has proven that if you give him and his staff some time they can beat anybody in the country. Advantage - LSU

Special teams – LSU has two great kickers. Brad Wing can punt with either leg, can kick a spiral or an end over end punt on demand, is deadly at dropping the ball inside an opponent's 20 yard line and as a freshman was selected to the First Team Associated Press All American squad. LSU has allowed just 6 return yards on punts this year. TOTAL. SIX YARDS! Drew Alleman is money anywhere inside 50 yards. Bama's kickers were a combined 2-of-6 in field goal attempts against LSU in the first matchup. For the season, Jeremy Shelley and Cade Foster are a combined 18-of-29 and just 2-of-11 from 40 yards or longer. Alabama has no one like the Honey Badger returning punts. His punt returns against Georgia in the SEC Championship were epic. Advantage – LSU by a country mile.

Offensive line - Alabama has All American and future NFLer Barrett Jones at one tackle and probable future NFLer D.J. Fluker at the other (Fluker is no fluke), and that dude whose last name starts with a "V" at center. LSU has All American Will Blackwell. What most people forget is that starting center P.J. Lonergan was out for the Alabama game and Josh Williford was limited by injury. LSU had to rely on T-Bob Hebert, at center. T-Bob is like the Swiss Army knife of offensive linemen. I think the dude has played every position on the O-line. And in the first game he was clearly overmatched. But even with the offensive line deficiencies LSU ran the ball for 150 yards against Bama in the first game. It was LSU's lowest rushing total of the season, it was the second-most rushing yards allowed by Alabama and 56 more than any other SEC team managed against the Tide. LSU has run the ball on everyone they have played this year. All wins for LSU. LSU and Alabama have more road graders on their respective offensive lines than a Caterpillar dealership. Still, LSU ran the ball on Alabama the first time, has run the ball on much better teams than Alabama has played this year and the O-line is healthy and at full strength. Advantage – LSU ever so slightly

Quarterback - LSU has Jordan Jefferson, with Jarrett Lee as a proven backup. Alabama has A.J. McCarron. In the first meeting this season between Alabama and LSU, McCarron was 16-of-28 for 199 yards and one interception. Big Whoop. Neither team is going to make a living throwing the ball against these defensive backs. Meanwhile Jordan Jefferson is a proven winner and runner. McCarron's judgment has to be in question with reportedly having a tattoo of his nickname "Bama Boy" tattooed across his chest. A "Bama Boy" tattoo??? Why not grow a mullet to go along with it. Clearly McCarron has more upside potential than Jefferson or Lee. But he is playing this game this year against this LSU defense. Advantage - LSU

Running back - Alabama has Heisman finalist Trent Richardson. He's made so many All American lists it's hard to take up the space listing them all. His highlight reel run against Ole Miss is a keeper (Poor Ole Miss). The dude can put on a clinic on the effective use of the stiff arm. I REALLY like Richardson. LSU is deeper than the Mariana trench at running back with Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Alfred Blue, and Kenny Hilliard. Hilliard, the fourth string freshman running back, gained 100 yards against the #3 team in the nation. Advantage - LSU by committee

Wide receiver - Alabama has the alliterative Marquis Maze and LSU has the equally alliterative Reuben Randle. Both receivers run really rad routes. LSU has Russell Shepherd and Odell Beckham Jr in their three receiver set. Deangelo Peterson, Chase Clement, Kadron Boone, James Wright, Jarvis Landry and Mitch Joseph have all made significant catches for LSU. All the LSU receivers block downfield for the running game. I don't know who else Alabama has and am too lazy to look it up. Advantage - LSU

Defensive line - LSU is deep, really deep, ridiculously deep on the D-Line. How fast is Barkevious Mingo? He ran down Oregon's LaMichael James from behind! In high school he ran on the winning 5A state champion track relay team. He runs down in coverage on the kickoff team. The LSU D-Line is deep, talented and fast, NFL fast. Mingo, Adams, Logan, Montgomery, Brockers, Edwards, "Freak" Johnson, Downs, Aghayere, Rasco, Ferguson, they will be fresh as a daisy in the fourth quarter when Bama's O-Line will be gassed. Advantage - LSU

Linebacker – Alabama has three linebackers who will probably play in the NFL, Dont'a Hightower, Nico Johnson and Courtney Upshaw. These dudes are huge! Like 260 pounds. They are tough to run over or through. It is hard to say if any of the LSU linebackers will play on Sundays and two of them are converted safeties. LSU has played a lot of underclassmen developing needed depth and size. Kevin Minter is one of those who has developed to the point that he will probably start the game for LSU. 'Just win baby' is the name of the game at this position for LSU. The LSU dudes are fast. Hard to get outside on them and they can run all day long. It's important to remember that in the first meeting's overtime period if Ford's left foot is 1 inch to the right he scores running around those big ole Bama linebackers. Let's call this one a slight advantage for Alabama.

Defensive backs - Both teams have NFL picks everywhere in their starting secondary. Bama has Barron and Kirkpatrick, LSU has Claiborne and Mathieu. The difference is LSU has NFL bound nickel and dime backs. Every sportscaster in America calls Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu the "Honey Badger" and Bama has no nicknames (unless we are going to count "Bama Boy"). "Mo" Claiborne is a sure top ten pick in the spring NFL draft. Mathieu and Claiborne were the first teammates chosen to the first team AP All American team at both cornerback positions. Claiborne and Alabama's Barron are consensus All Americans. For LSU you add Eric Reid, Brandon Taylor, Ron Brooks, Tharold Simon, and Craig Loston. Man to man, nickel or dime and clearly it's: Advantage - LSU

Cheer girls - Alabama has the Crimsonettes and LSU has the Golden Girls. I am not a big fan of Alabama to be sure, but like all southern states they have some really hot women. The difference is that the Crimsonettes are baton twirlers and are chosen based on their timing and coordination meaning, looks is but one factor. Golden girls are chosen on their hotness and ability to dance. And hot chicks always look good dancing. Does anyone really care that they cannot twirl? Advantage - LSU

Bands - Alabama has the million dollar band. I guess a million dollars was a big deal fifty years ago. Half the coonasses going tailgate for this game will be driving custom made buses worth more than a million. LSU's band plays "Neck" and "Get Crunked". Advantage - LSU

Fans – Alabama fans are legendarily fanatical. Just ask the Toomer's Corner oaks. Hell, Paul Finebaum has become well-to-do sports media name because of it. LSU fans like to pass a good time and have the best tailgates in the world. It's Roll Tide versus Geaux Tigers. It's Cajuns, Coonasses, gris-gris and voodoo versus red necks. Plus, this thing is taking place in South Louisiana. Good things happen to good people. Advantage – LSU

Prediction: This game will feature the two best defenses in college football. The two best defenses in the South. The NFC South. 24 LSU defensive players have contributed in making 98 tackles for losses this year. You've got to give Richardson his due, he'll get his 100 yards and Jefferson, Ware, Blue, Ford, Hilliard, et al will get their 200 yards. The offenses and defenses are so closely matched that LSU vs Alabama Part Deux is going to be a close game again. I think there will be more scoring this time around, mainly because after such a long layoff the play will likely be sloppier. LSU has to avoid the slow starts that plagued them against Arkansas and Georgia. Beating Bama will require at least 4 quarters of great play. I think that this time Jefferson and LSU's plethora of running backs runs those big ass linebackers of Alabama from sideline to sideline and wears them down by the end of the game. But in close games the play on special teams is usually the difference. The Honey Badger has an uncanny knack for the football. You just know he is going to do something at some time. He is like lightening in a rain storm; he is going to strike somewhere. Wing keeps field position in favor of LSU, Alleman kicks field goals, and Alabama's kickers can't hit the side of a barn.

LSU wins by 3 to 12 points.

FW: Yahoo! Sports: Who has the edge when Alabama passes?

Who has the edge when Alabama passes?

By Mike Huguenin, Yahoo! Sports

Today is part 3 of our six-part position breakdown of Monday's BCS national championship game, looking at Alabama's passing attack.

Part 1 was a look at Alabama's rush offense
Part 2 focused on LSU's rush offense
Today Part 3 is focused on Alabama's passing attach
Part 4 will be on LSU's passing attack
Part 5 will be on the Tide's and Tigers' special teams
Part 6 will be on the two coaching staffs

QB A.J. McCarron does what he is asked by Alabama coaches: He is a game manager who avoids mistakes.

By the numbers

Alabama pass offense

Passing yards per game: 213.6 (71st nationally)
Passing TDs: 16 (T-75th nationally)
Interceptions: 8 (T-19th fewest nationally)
Completion percentage: 66.3 (17th nationally)
Average yards per completion: 11.98 (T-63rd nationally)
Total completions: 214 (84th nationally)
Passing attempts per game: 26.9 (T-94th nationally)
Passes of more than 20 yards *: 34 (T-75th nationally)
Passes of more than 50 yards *: 2 (T-86th nationally)
300-yard games: 0
200-yard games: 6
Games of fewer than 150 yards: 1

LSU pass defense

Passing yards per game: 166.6 (8th nationally)
Passing TDs: 7 (2nd fewest nationally)
Interceptions: 18 (T-11th nationally)
Completion percentage: 51.1 (6th nationally)
Average yards per completion: 10.51 (10th nationally)
Total completions: 206 (T-22nd fewest nationally)
Passing attempts per game: 31.0 (T-51st nationally)
Passes of more than 20 yards *: 22 (2nd fewest nationally)
Passes of more than 50 yards *: 3 (T-30th fewest nationally)
300-yard games: 1
200-yard games: 4
Games of fewer than 150 yards: 7

Note: Stats from NCAA's statistics website; the asterisked ones are from cfbstats.com.

There are some who dislike that moniker, but McCarron still fits that bill: He hands off, hits high-percentage passes in a conservative pass offense and avoids interceptions.

He has thrown for 2,400 yards, with 16 TDs and just five interceptions. But 10 of his TD passes came in just three games, with four against Vanderbilt and three each against Auburn and Georgia Southern. He threw for 199 yards, with no TDs and one pick, in the Nov. 5 loss to LSU.

McCarron has a nice arm, but doesn't throw deep all that often.

The wide receiver group isn't that good. Marquis Maze is the leading receiver, with 56 receptions for 627 yards, but he has just one scoring reception and it came in the opener against Kent State. He is the only wideout with more than 21 catches; Darius Hanks, the other starting wide receiver, has 21 receptions and one TD.

TE Brad Smelley is tied for second in receptions with 27 and leads the team with four TD receptions. Two of his TDs came against Georgia Southern. TB Trent Richardson is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, and also has 27 catches and three TD receptions. He had a season-high five receptions for 80 yards against LSU in their first meeting.

Alabama has allowed just 15 sacks. Worth noting is that LSU DE Sam Montgomery had two of those when the teams met Nov. 5.

LSU has 37 sacks on the season, 13th-most nationally. Montgomery leads the Tigers with nine, and fellow E Barkevious Mingo has eight. In all, eight LSU linemen have at least one sack.

That line plays in front of the nation's best secondary. LSU also has the best set of corners in the nation in Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu. Claiborne is a classic cover corner, and Mathieu is a big-play machine who hits a ton. FS Eric Reid had perhaps the play of the game with his goal-line interception in LSU's win over Alabama on Nov. 5, and SS Brandon Taylor is the Tigers' No. 2 tackler. Tharold Simon and Ron Brooks see a lot of time in nickel and dime packages, and they have combined for four interceptions and 16 pass breakups.

LSU had at least one interception in every game except for its rout of Kentucky and had two picks in six games. The Tigers have allowed just two TD passes in the past seven games. The TDs were by Arkansas and Georgia, the teams with the best quarterbacks in the SEC.

The verdict: LSU gets the advantage here. Alabama is going to hit some passes – frankly, Richardson vs. LSU's linebackers in pass coverage is a big plus for the Tide – but any big play would be a shock. Being able to use play action is important for the Tide, but even then, LSU will feel comfortable with its corners and nickel and dime backs matching up with Alabama's wide receivers.

Alabama fans feeling uneasy about championship game rematch

 

 

Alabama fans feeling uneasy about championship game rematch

 

Paul Finebaum INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL

 

When Monday night finally arrives -- assuming it ever does -- 44 interminable days will have elapsed since Alabama last played a football game. Which begs the question: Has there ever been a more prickly period for fans of a team about to play for the BCS national championship?

 

It started with the national debate about Oklahoma State vs. Alabama in November and continued through the first Monday night in January, as commentators debated during the Fiesta Bowl about a split title if LSU loses in New Orleans. With a new twist to an old question.

 

"There's no way you can say Alabama is any more deserving (of the AP title) than Oklahoma State or Stanford,'' said David Norrie during the ESPN radio broadcast. Did Norrie chow down too many Tostitos during game week?

 

Even Brent Musburger, normally a voice of reason, ended the Rose Bowl broadcast by complimenting Oregon, saying the Ducks were "the team that may have given LSU its best game of the year.'' Earth to Musburger: The Ducks scored in the game's waning moments against LSU to cut the deficit from 20 to 13. LSU's 9-6 overtime win over Alabama in November was a lot closer.

 

This is the kind of conversation that has thoroughly traumatized some in the Tide Nation recently. Over the holidays, I talked to a close friend who is an Alabama graduate, and he was approaching the BCS title game with all the enthusiasm of a root canal.

"This hasn't been any fun at all," he told me. "Two years ago, before the Texas game, everyone was fired up and boasting about beating them. Not this time around."

 

So what's different?

 

"LSU beat us at our place," he said. "It's taken all the fun out of this."

 

Many Alabama fans, whose extreme confidence of winning a BCS title was shaken by the loss on Nov. 5, are still rightfully worried that their hopes could be dashed twice by LSU. They still believe in Nick Saban but are holding their breath in anticipation. Maybe they'll loosen up on Bourbon Street.

 

Part of the problem for fans in general is the long layoff. Because of television, the bowl season stretches over 24 days. Another part of it is that Alabama is unaccustomed to being "the other team" in any conversation.

 

Considering the betting public still has Alabama as the slight favorite in some places, why do so many pundits feel the Tide have little chance to win or even less business even playing in the game?

 

Does the Tide really deserve all this negativity and disrespect? Why have they seemingly become the poster child for America's Most Undeserving BCS Finalist? Just because you hate the BCS doesn't mean you have to hate Alabama.

 

Is this venom really directed toward Alabama or is it simply more a case of SEC fatigue, or frustration with the whole BCS system? At least the nation will take some solace in knowing the vaunted SEC will finally lose a BCS title game on Jan. 9.

 

So what, if anything, does all this mean for the actual game on Monday night? You can bet that Saban will mention the national slight in the days before the game. It is pretty good when you can surgically apply a chip on your team's shoulder while forgetting your closest win of the season was a 27-11 victory at Penn State on Sept. 10. The game wasn't really that close as it was 27-3 until a meaningless touchdown and two-point conversion were scored late.

 

I even heard an Alabama fan say this week, "We don't have anything to lose because we haven't won anything this year." Saban is a master at pushing the right buttons, and he has plenty to push now including this one.

 

On the other side, LSU comes into the game as the team of destiny. They have already been anointed by many experts as one of the best teams ever. Obviously, the Tigers know they can beat Alabama and don't lack confidence.

 

However, being the experts' pick is not exactly in Les Miles' wheelhouse. He created wonders earlier this season when everyone was counting LSU out when quarterback Jordan Jefferson was suspended. It is worth remembering how LSU played as the No. 1 team down the stretch after beating Alabama.

 

Well, actually, the Tigers didn't play all that well at all. They were horrible at home in the first half against Arkansas, trailing 14-0 and taking off nearly the first 30 minutes against Georgia in the SEC championship game, going down 10-0 and gaining only 14 yards and no first downs. The Tigers stormed back in the second half of both games. Memo to LSU: Don't try this against Alabama.

 

Alabama, one of the bluest bloods in the history of college football, with 13 national championships, arrives in the title game described by some as the accidental participant.

 

LSU's program took a wrong turn in 1958 at the intersection of college football and the Bermuda Triangle. The Tigers were finally claimed in lost and found in 2000 by Saban, who brought the Tigers a national championship in 2003. Now LSU's is America's team this year.

 

So match on for LSU, against Saban, in New Orleans, with everybody in the country watching. How wonderfully delicious. That is assuming the game ever gets here.

 

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Paul Finebaum's radio show is heard weekdays 3-7 p.m. ET on Sirius/XM Channel 91.

 

 

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/paul_finebaum/01/05/title.game/index.html#ixzz1icJsEPuH

DUH!!! The Wall Street Journal says LSU football fans are already the national champions ... of drinking.

Report: LSU fans like to drink The Wall Street Journal says LSU football fans are already the national champions ... of drinking.

 

“Year in and year out, regardless of how well their team is playing, LSU supporters make other college tailgating crews look like Baptist choirs,” according to a story in Thursday’s online Journal.

 

When LSU played a road game at West Virginia in September, Mountaineer Field sold more than $120,000 worth of beer alone , the story says.

 

Parts of the stadium ran out of Bud Light around halftime, the story says.

 

“Not only was that figure 33 percent higher than the figure for the next-highest game, it accounted for 23 percent of the season’s total beer sales over seven games,” the story says.

 

 

Boudin Chaud. Cous Cous Froide. Allons Tigres--Poussez Poussez Poussez

 

John Broussard

Assistant State Treasurer

Chief Investment Officer

State of Louisiana

Department of the Treasury

Ph:  225-342-0013

Fx:  225-342-9721

Email:  jbroussard@treasusry.state.la.us

Street Address:

445 North Blvd, 7^th Floor

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 44154 Capitol Station

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4154

Physical Location:

One City Plaza, 7th Floor

Corner of North Blvd & 4th Street

Exit 1B I-110 Convention Street, Turn Left to get to North Blvd

 

LSU vs Bama: Who has the edge when LSU runs?

2011 BCS Championship

 

Who has the edge when LSU runs?

By Mike Huguenin, Yahoo! Sports

 

Today, we continue our six-part position breakdown of Monday’s BCS national championship game.

 

Part 1 was a look at Alabama’s rush offense

TODAY Part 2 will focus on LSU’s rush offense

Part 3 will be on Alabama’s passing attack

Part 4 on LSU’s passing attack

Part 5 on the Tide’s and Tigers’ special teams

Part 6 on the two coaching staffs.

 

LSU coach Les Miles is a former offensive lineman for Bo Schembechler, so is it any surprise that Miles wants to win by running the ball and playing stout defense? His team has done both well this season.

 

By the numbers

LSU rush offense

Rushing yards per game: 215.2 (17th nationally)

Rushing TDs: 35 (T-10th nationally)

Average yards per carry: 4.96 (23rd nationally)

Total rushes: 564 (20th nationally)

Rushes per game: 43.4 (19th nationally)

Rushes of more than 20 yards *: 21 (T-27th nationally)

Rushes of more than 50 yards *: 1 (T-73rd nationally)

300-yard games: 1

200-yard games: 6

Games of fewer than 100 yards: 0

Alabama rush defense

Rushing yards per game: 74.9 (1st nationally)

Rushing TDs: 3 (1st nationally)

Average yards per carry: 2.50 (2nd nationally)

Total rushes: 359 (2nd nationally)

Rushes per game: 29.9 (3rd nationally)

Rushes of more than 20 yards *: 5 (Fewest nationally)

Rushes of more than 50 yards *: 1 (T-26th fewest nationally)

300-yard games: 1

200-yard games: 1

Games of fewer than 100 yards: 9

 

Note: Stats from NCAA’s statistics website; the asterisked ones are from cfbstats.com. LSU doesn’t have any game-breakers at tailback, but the Tigers do go four-deep at the position and all four can pound foes between the tackles.

 

Sophomore Spencer Ware, a high school quarterback in Ohio, is the starter, but sophomore Michael Ford is the leading rusher. That duo has combined for 1,455 yards and 15 touchdowns. While neither is a burner, each has the speed to get around the corner and also the strength to run over linebackers and defensive backs.

 

Third-teamer Alfred Blue is the biggest back (6 feet 2/215 pounds) and also has the highest per-carry average at 6.9 yards, He has scored seven rushing TDs. True freshman Kenny Hilliard was supposed to redshirt, but ended up playing in every game and rushing for 320 yards and eight TDs. He might be the most physical of the quartet.

 

Again, none of these guys scares anybody with his speed. But each is a physical, punishing runner, and because LSU plays so many tailbacks, each always seems fresh and able to run over defenders.

 

QB Jordan Jefferson is another running threat; he is adept at running the option and also is dangerous as a scrambler. He is a long strider who eats up chunks of yards with two or three steps.

 

FBs James Stampley and J.C. Copeland can be devastating blockers, especially Copeland, a 6-1, 280-pounder. But they had just four carries between them.

 

There is no true standout on the line, but the group works well together. LG Will Blackwell and RT Alex Hurst are the best linemen. Hurst (6-6/340) teams with RG Josh Williford (6-7/324) to give the Tigers a ton of size (well, not really a ton, but …) on the right side. C P.J. Lonergan has the ability to do some damage when he pulls. Sophomore LT Chris Faulk arrived on campus as a highly touted defensive tackle, and should contend for All-America honors next season. Backup C/G T-Bob Hebert, whose dad, Bobby, was an NFL quarterback, also will see time.

 

LSU had its lowest rushing output of the season when it beat Alabama on Nov. 5, but the Tigers still rushed for 148 yards. The game against the Tide was one of just two in which the Tigers didn’t have a rushing TD.

 

While Alabama was relatively effective in shutting down the run, LSU still ran the ball 41 times. While Ware had the most carries (16), Ford had the most success, picking up 72 yards on just 11 carries, including a huge 15-yard run in OT to set up the game-winning field goal. Jefferson ran for 43 yards and should be an important component of the rushing attack in the title game.

 

While the 148 yards was LSU’s lowest rushing total of the season, it was the second-most rushing yards allowed by Alabama and 56 more than any other SEC team managed against the Tide.

 

LSU’s offensive line did a nice job controlling the line of scrimmage in the Nov. 5 showdown. LB Nico Johnson led the Tide with 11 tackles that day, and CB DeQuan Menzie was second with eight; it was the highest tackle total of the season for both. Indeed, the tackle total was more than 25 percent of Johnson’s production during the season (43 total tackles).

 

Alabama had five tackles for loss in the Nov. 5 game, but for just minus-8 yards.

 

The verdict: Alabama’s rush defense gets the nod here just because LSU isn’t going to come close to its per-game average of 215.2. But LSU did a nice job on the ground in the first matchup, and if the Tigers can get near 150 yards again, they will win. Jefferson gives the Tigers the ability to run the option, and you figure offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa will unveil that a few times in the first quarter. It also would help the Tigers’ cause if one of the backs – maybe Ford again? – can break off a few runs of 10-plus yards; they had three such runs in the first meeting.

 

Mike Huguenin is a Yahoo! Sports college sports editor. Send Mike a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

 

 

It's The Economy Stupid: Pill Gross of Pimco's 2012 Investment Outlook

Bill Gross of PIMCO on Investment Outlook for 2012:

 

{http://www.pimco.com/EN/Insights/Pages/Towards-the-Paranormal-Jan-2012.aspx}

 

The New Normal, previously believed to be bell-shaped and thin-tailed in its depiction of growth probability and financial market outcomes, appears to be morphing into a world of fat-tailed, almost bimodal outcomes.

 

A new duality – credit and zero-bound interest rate risk – characterizes the financial markets of 2012, offering the fat left-tailed possibility of unforeseen policy delevering or the fat right-tailed possibility of central bank inflationary expansion.

 

Until the outcome becomes clear, investors should consider ways to hedge their bets, including: maximizing durations, U.S. Treasury bonds that may potentially offer capital gains, long-term Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS), high quality corporates and senior bank debt, and select U.S. municipal bonds.

 

English Translation:

 

Bell-shaped and thin-tailed/fat-tailed & bimodal:  Normal distribution and standard deviation graph attempting to describe the possible outcomes of economic growth. 

Bell-shaped:  Normal distribution of outcomes.  Expects a normal return of economic growth

Thin-tailed:  Relatively modest risk of ABnormal outcomes

Fat-tailed:  Lots of risk for ABnormal outcomes

 

What Bill Gross is saying is that the range of outcomes for the economy is far from normal and has much greater risk of abnormal outcomes.

 

So, the fact that we are STILL discussing economic recovery and de-leveraging & central banks economic management risk in 2012 after the 2008 financial meltdown makes this an economic/investment outlook made by looking in the rearview mirror.

 

Boudin Chaud. Cous Cous Froide. Allons Tigres--Poussez Poussez Poussez

 

John Broussard

Assistant State Treasurer

Chief Investment Officer

State of Louisiana

Department of the Treasury

Ph:  225-342-0013

Fx:  225-342-9721

Email:  jbroussard@treasusry.state.la.us

Street Address:

445 North Blvd, 7^th Floor

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 44154 Capitol Station

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4154

Physical Location:

One City Plaza, 7th Floor

Corner of North Blvd & 4th Street

Exit 1B I-110 Convention Street, Turn Left to get to North Blvd

 

LSU vs BAMA: Who has the edge when Alabama runs? by Yahoo! Sports

 

Who has the edge when Alabama runs?

By Mike Huguenin, Yahoo! Sports

8 hours, 46 minutes ago

Today, we begin our six-part position breakdown of Monday’s BCS national championship game.

 

Part 1 is a look at Alabama’s rush offense

Part 2 will focus on LSU’s rush offense

Part 3 will be on Alabama’s passing attack

Part 4 on LSU’s passing attack

Part 5 on the Tide’s and Tigers’ special teams

Part 6 on the two coaching staffs

 

 

By the numbers

Alabama rush offense

Rushing yards per game: 219.8 (15th nationally)

Rushing TDs: 33 (T-13th nationally)

Average yards per carry: 5.58 (7th nationally)

Total rushes: 473 (51st nationally)

Rushes per game: 39.4 (44th nationally)

Rushes of more than 20 yards*: 31 (T-6th nationally)

Rushes of more than 50 yards*: 6 (T-4th nationally)

300-yard games: 2

200-yard games: 6

Games of fewer than 100 yards: 1

LSU rush defense

Rushing yards per game: 85.5 (3rd nationally)

Rushing TDs: 6 (T-2nd nationally)

Average yards per carry: 2.61 (3rd nationally)

Total rushes: 425 (T-22nd nationally)

Rushes per game: 32.7 (T-14th nationally)

Rushes of more than 20 yards*: 7 (T-7th fewest nationally)

Rushes of more than 50 yards*: 0 (T-1st fewest nationally)

300-yard games: 0

200-yard games: 0

Games of fewer than 100 yards: 9

 

Note: Stats from NCAA’s statistics website; the asterisked ones are from cfbstats.com.

 

Alabama has scored 33 rushing TDs and has at least one in every game but one and at least three in six games. The one game without a rushing TD was the loss to LSU.

 

There is nothing fancy about the Tide’s rushing attack. They prefer a pro set and like to get their tailbacks running downhill. Alabama makes frequent use of two-tight end sets in an effort to play smashmouth football.

 

Junior TB Trent Richardson, who likely will be playing his final college game in the national title showdown, is a solidly built 5-foot-11, 224-pounder. He is tough to bring down and seems to relish the contact that comes from running between the tackles. But Richardson also has the speed to turn the corner and the ability to find a crease and burst past the linebackers on a run up the middle. He is fourth nationally at 131.9 yards per game and has 20 rushing TDs; he has had seven games with multiple rushing touchdowns. He also is an adept receiver.

 

Backup TB Eddie Lacy, a Louisiana native, looks bulky, but has good speed. He, too, is comfortable running between the tackles. Lacy has rushed for 631 yards and seven TDs despite missing one game and being hampered by nagging injuries in a few others. While Lacy has been an effective No. 2 guy, the falloff after Richardson is a big one.

 

Alabama’s line mashes people. Junior LT Barrett Jones is the standout, even though he is best-suited to play guard, the position where he starred in his first two seasons. While Jones received All-America honors, LG Chance Warmack garnered all-league attention, making the left side the best side for the Tide. C William Vlachos is a squatty guy (6-1/294) in the middle, and though he usually gets good leverage, he can be overpowered at times. G Anthony Steen and massive T D.J. Fluker (6-6/335) man the right side.

 

TEs Michael Williams and Brad Smelley, whose brother, Chris, was a quarterback at South Carolina, play because of their blocking ability. Williams is a big guy (6-6/269) who basically is an extra lineman; Smelley is a lot smaller (6-3/229) but is an effective blocker nonetheless.

 

LSU’s front was effective in slowing down the Tide’s rushing attack in the 9-6 regular-season victory. LB Ryan Baker had one of his best games of the season with eight tackles, and Ts Michael Brockers and Bennie Logan did an excellent job of mucking up the works in the middle of the line.

 

Because defensive coordinator John Chavis has a ton of trust in his corners, look for LSU to creep a safety near the line of scrimmage. FS Eric Reid and SS Brandon Taylor are willing and able in run support, and CB Tyrann Mathieu is another defensive back who isn’t afraid to throw his body into the fray against opposing running backs.

 

LSU had six tackles for loss in the regular-season meeting, and three of them came from defensive backs.

 

Alabama managed just 96 rushing yards against LSU, with Richardson providing 89 of them. Almost half his yards (42) came on two runs – an 18-yarder on his first carry of the game in the first quarter and a 24-yarder in the fourth. Lacy finished with 19 yards on five carries; he had a 20-yarder on his first carry of the game, late in the first quarter. While the tailbacks combined for 108 yards, two sacks of A.J. McCarron for minus-6 yards and a run of minus-6 yards by WR Marquis Maze took Alabama’s rushing total below 100.

 

The verdict: Richardson is going to have some success, but to expect the Tide to rush for even 150 yards is foolish. If the Tide does reach that plateau, it wins the national title. The advantage here goes to LSU’s rush defense.