In Comparison: Why the 2011 LSU Tigers Are Not an "All-Time" Team

LSU's tremendous season has brought up the talk about this team leaving a legacy as one of the best of all time.

Assuming that LSU beats Alabama (and they must win handily), it begs the question of where the 2011 Bayou Bengals would rank...

If Alabama wins then this argument is moot, but it's something that deserves thought....

We all know what LSU has accomplished this year, so I grabbed two teams from the past who I consider the two best teams of the last 25 years, the 2001 Miami Hurricanes and the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers...

Since LSU hasn't actually won the title, there is no argument for them yet, but if they are to close out the season with a win over Alabama, again, the following two teams and their achievements will shut the book on LSU being within an earshot of the words "Best Ever."

1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers

The most dominant team in my lifetime.  Tommie Frazier was simply brilliant and should have won the Heisman that went to Eddie George.  Their offense was unstoppable, averaging more than 53 points a game using their potent option attack.

Mind Boggling Numbers:

- Rushed for around 400 yards a game while allowing 78

- Averaged seven yards per rush

- Scored 51 rushing touchdowns while allowing six

- Averaged 29.3 points in the first half

- Smallest margin of victory = 14

- Trailed only ONCE all season

- Allowed ZERO sacks

- Only five punt returns allowed for a total of 12 yards

- Defeated four Top 10 teams by an average of 31 points, including the 62-24 thrashing of Florida in the Fiesta Bowl

These numbers speak for themselves.  They were the first football team to catch my attention at a young age.  I was spoiled and naive, because I thought it was like that every year.  16 years have passed, but their legacy as the greatest team ever won't be.

2001 Miami

Larry Coker didn't have to do much with this team...which was basically a Pro Bowl roster.

- Averaged 42.6 points per game while allowing 9.75

- 124-7 margin of victory over ranked opponents

- 17 players taken in the first round of the NFL draft

Did I mention that the talent level on this team was second to none...?  The following should say enough:

Ken Dorsey, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, Najeh Davenport, Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, Jeremy Shockey, Jonathan Vilma, Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle, Vince Wilfork, Ed Reed, Kellen Winslow...I think you get the point.....