LSU Football 2011: Why the Tigers Are the Most Exciting Team in the Nation

Following their dramatic 9-6 victory in overtime against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the LSU Tigers make their case as the most exciting team in college football today.

I see you nodding your head in displeasure over there, but that’s the reaction I expected. I mean, this is the same team that didn’t score any touchdowns against Alabama, so how could I possibly say this is the most exciting team to watch in college football?

Well, I’m glad you asked. First of all, don’t get so caught up on the points aspect, because there is more to football than just scoring points. Ever heard the motto defense wins championships?

I don’t know about you, but a good hard-hitting game is much more exciting to me than watching two offenses go back-and-forth in a game that showcases absolutely no skill on defense.

Secondly, don’t let the last game fool you—LSU’s offense is more than capable of putting points on the board. And as far the defense goes, I think we all know what they’re capable of.

And don’t even get me started on the big hits that LSU’s special teams hand out on kickoffs, but I’ll leave it at that. I mean, this is the intro slide, for Heaven’s sakes. I can’t give everything away here.

Here are the reasons that the Tigers are the most exciting team to watch in the nation.

Mad Hatter Factor

I remember a year ago, when LSU was having so much chaos on the field (like the Tennessee fiasco, where they got a second chance to score and win the game after the Volunteers had 13 men on the field), that ESPN’s gameday crew said that they couldn’t take their eyes away from watching LSU games because you never knew what was going to happen.

They nailed it on the button. As frustrating as it can be for LSU fans to watch their season hang in the balance on the tip of a white hat, it’s great for cardio.

This year, LSU has been blowing out teams left and right—besides the Alabama game—but if you look at Les Miles's history of games with LSU, there are several classics with dramatic endings.

Who could forget the 2007 Florida game, where LSU made a last-minute drive and converted on fourth down five times in that game?

What about the 2007 Auburn game, where Matt Flynn hit Demetrius Byrd in the end zone to win the game with one second on the clock, or the Florida game last year where LSU converted with the fake field goal and Jarrett Lee hit Terrence Toliver for the game winner?

There are so many more games that I can name, but quite frankly, I don’t have enough space.

The bottom line is that Miles represents that ‘expect the unexpected’ mentality, and you can’t help but be on the edge of your seat throughout a close ball game with “The Hat” calling the shots on the sideline.

Grown-Man Football

Maybe it’s the testosterone growing inside me, but there’s nothing better than watching a running back trample over a defensive back as he makes his way into the end zone.

That’s grown-man football right there, and that’s exactly what LSU presents each and every week.

I can’t help but think back to the days when I was a child, and compare this LSU offense to when I watched Stone Cold Steve Austin “stomp a mudhole” into his opponents.

That’s basically what this team does.

They force the defense to bring the safeties into the box to stop their vicious running attack, and then they launch the deep pass to Rueben Randle or Odell Beckham for a touchdown score.

The Tigers were hesitant to launch the deep pass against Alabama because of the talent the Tide possesses in the secondary (and rightfully so), but even though the Tigers only scored nine points in the game, they still rank 20th in the nation in points scored, with an average of 35.9.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is exciting.

The Talent on Defense

If you don’t think this defense is exciting to watch, then you and I have two totally different ideas of what football is all about.

I get it. I understand how some of you reading this article are Big 12 fans and love to watch your offenses score, and I’ll admit that’s exciting.

It really is. I love to watch Robert Griffin III, Landry Jones and Brandon Weeden in action, but there’s something special about a defense that takes the ball away and refuses to let teams find the end zone.

Whether it’s guys like Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo getting sacks, Tyrann Mathieu forcing fumbles, Mo Claiborne making interceptions or Eric Reid lowering the boom on somebody, these guys are fun to watch.

I’m sure some of you Big 12 fanatics get excited when your offense struts on the field, but the excitement level I possess when I see Mathieu, Claiborne and Mingo step on the field is unmatched.

I know something amazing is about to happen, and I’m making predictions with my friends on who the next defensive playmaker will be to take the ball away or land that knockout shot.

The Teams LSU Plays

With the exception of Western Kentucky this week and Kentucky a month ago, LSU is almost always playing a ranked opponent and is being featured as the marquee game.

From Oregon to Mississippi State to West Virginia to Florida to Auburn and most recently Alabama, the Tigers have played six ranked opponents in nine games. Can any other team say that?

LSU’s past four games were all featured as the big SEC Game of the Week on CBS. And College GameDay has been at three of LSU’s game already this season.

Why is this important when talking about how exciting the Tigers are? Well, when a team actually plays the best teams in the nation and is featured in the spotlight for it, it’s exciting.

Six times this season, the adrenaline would be pumping in Tiger fans' veins because they knew LSU was facing a tough challenge and could easily be defeated.

See, LSU isn’t “Floyd Mayweathering” their season by not playing against the best, or playing the Little Sisters of the Poor like another undefeated team in the Top 5 (yes, that was another shot taken at Boise State, and I’ll stop taking shots as soon as they play more than two big games a year).

As if the Tigers’ schedule wasn't difficult enough, they still have to play No. 8 Arkansas in a game that is almost always exciting, and then most likely play Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

Who knows what chaos will ensue in these last few weeks leading up to a national championship berth?

Swagger

There’s only one picture that I need to show to prove my point here, and that’s Brad Wing celebrating against Florida as he made his way into the end zone.

Yeah that’s right—LSU’s punter has 'swag,’ and you shouldn’t be surprised if you’ve watched any of this team's games all year.

These Tigers are good, but they’ll let you know they’re good, too. You want to be entertained throughout a football game?

Watch Tyrann Mathieu on each and every play. Whether it’s him getting the better of his opponent or a wide receiver getting open on him, Mathieu isn’t very shy when it comes to talking to the other team.

It doesn’t take a genius to watch this team and say, “Wow, they’re really good,” but LSU doesn’t need to hear it.

They know they’re good, they tell the opponent they’re good and then they back it up.