While we all know the pitfalls when trying to apply the transitive property for predicting games, I do find it helpful sometimes to compare the performance of two teams to a common opponent. Below are the LSU and UW stats vs. 'Bama in their games last season, and I post these knowing this is a new season with some new faces at various positions (esp. QB for UW), some injuries, as well as a key coaching change.....yada yada yada, so take them with a big 'ol grain of salt. But my own take-away from their games vs. 'Bama is that BOTH teams needed to improve quite a bit in the off-season if they hoped to contend at an elite level in 2016. When looking at next Saturday's match-up, the question I find myself asking is: did either team improve significantly more than the other in all areas ? Judging from the Spring and Fall practice reports from both camps, I'd have to say it's a draw. With this deep analysis in mind, I fully expect a very competitive game at Lambeau this Saturday:
UW vs. Alabama:
Final Score: 17-35
Total yds gained: 268
Total yds given up: 502
First downs O: 17
First downs D: 27
3rd down Eff O: 6/14
3rd down Eff D: 4/11
Yds per pass O: 5.8
Yds per pass D: 9.1
Yds per Rush O: 1.9
Yds per Rush D: 6.4
LSU vs. Alabama:
Final Score: 16-30
Total yds gained: 182
Total yds given up: 434
First downs O: 12
First downs D: 28
3rd down Eff O: 3/11
3rd down Eff D: 7/15
Yds per pass O: 6.7
Yds per pass D: 7.7
Yds per Rush O: 2.1
Yds per Rush D: 4.5
UW vs. Alabama:
Final Score: 17-35
Total yds gained: 268
Total yds given up: 502
First downs O: 17
First downs D: 27
3rd down Eff O: 6/14
3rd down Eff D: 4/11
Yds per pass O: 5.8
Yds per pass D: 9.1
Yds per Rush O: 1.9
Yds per Rush D: 6.4
LSU vs. Alabama:
Final Score: 16-30
Total yds gained: 182
Total yds given up: 434
First downs O: 12
First downs D: 28
3rd down Eff O: 3/11
3rd down Eff D: 7/15
Yds per pass O: 6.7
Yds per pass D: 7.7
Yds per Rush O: 2.1
Yds per Rush D: 4.5
