Techster
Helluva Engineer
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Yes, Clemson going to the playoffs again, but they are not getting the press that LSU, OSU, UGA and other playoff contenders are. Clemson is sneaky "good" this year.
Guess who's ranked #1 overall in defensive FEI? Clemson. Even after losing one of the best DLs in college football history to the NFL draft, and replacing other NFL players they are the top FEI rated defense in college football.
Clemson is also ranked #2 in overall FEI.
If we were to base playoff rankings off of Overall FEI, OSU and Clemson would be the two best teams. Everyone thinks LSU is invincible, and they do have an impressive offense, but their defensive FEI is only ranked 29.
LSU played the #3 ranked FEI defense in Auburn and barely beat them by 3 points (23-20 final...late October). Auburn had the #51 ranked offense. Against Alabama (#10 DFEI), they won 46-41 (though it wasn't as uncomfortable as the score indicates). Alabama actually had the top ranked FEI offense this year.
This Saturday will be interesting for LSU. They play UGA which has the #5 ranked DFEI team (but only #31 ranked OFEI). IMO, the game will come down to LSU's defense versus UGA's offense. I think LSU will score in the mid 20's to lower 30's versus UGA's defense. If you UGA's offense can't score in the 20's versus LSU's defense, it could be an ugly game as LSU's offense in the back half of the season reminds me of our offense in 2014...once it gets rolling, you are in trouble.
If LSU has to play Clemson or OSU in the first round, I don't like their chances of making it to the National Championship.
That being said, Utah is actually a VERY VERY good team as well. In fact, #9 OFEI, #4 DFEI, #5 overall FEI.
Barring upsets this weekend, the playoffs will be OSU, Clemson, LSU, Utah. I actually think LSU might be the weakest team of the four.
Guess who's ranked #1 overall in defensive FEI? Clemson. Even after losing one of the best DLs in college football history to the NFL draft, and replacing other NFL players they are the top FEI rated defense in college football.
Clemson is also ranked #2 in overall FEI.
If we were to base playoff rankings off of Overall FEI, OSU and Clemson would be the two best teams. Everyone thinks LSU is invincible, and they do have an impressive offense, but their defensive FEI is only ranked 29.
LSU played the #3 ranked FEI defense in Auburn and barely beat them by 3 points (23-20 final...late October). Auburn had the #51 ranked offense. Against Alabama (#10 DFEI), they won 46-41 (though it wasn't as uncomfortable as the score indicates). Alabama actually had the top ranked FEI offense this year.
This Saturday will be interesting for LSU. They play UGA which has the #5 ranked DFEI team (but only #31 ranked OFEI). IMO, the game will come down to LSU's defense versus UGA's offense. I think LSU will score in the mid 20's to lower 30's versus UGA's defense. If you UGA's offense can't score in the 20's versus LSU's defense, it could be an ugly game as LSU's offense in the back half of the season reminds me of our offense in 2014...once it gets rolling, you are in trouble.
If LSU has to play Clemson or OSU in the first round, I don't like their chances of making it to the National Championship.
That being said, Utah is actually a VERY VERY good team as well. In fact, #9 OFEI, #4 DFEI, #5 overall FEI.
Barring upsets this weekend, the playoffs will be OSU, Clemson, LSU, Utah. I actually think LSU might be the weakest team of the four.