Editor’s note: SDS is ranking the 10 best SEC teams of the last decade (since 2005). Previously revealed: No. 10 LSU (2007); No. 9 Alabama (2008)
8.) LSU 2011 (13-1, BCS runner-up)
One of the few teams in our list not to win the national championship is LSU’s dominant 2011 squad, a team filled with playmaking weapons — especially on defense.
LSU’s backfield pair Spencer Ware and Michael Ford combined for nearly 1,500 yards on the ground, anchoring a unit that waited on opportunities from an opportunistic defense that finished an incredible plus-20 in turnover margin (second in the country to Oklahoma State’s plus-21). Second to Alabama in several defensive categories during a brilliant campaign on John Chavis’ side of the football, the Tigers beat eight ranked teams during the regular season — including the Crimson Tide in a matchup for the ages — on their way to a berth in the national title game.
Safety Tyrann Mathieu led the SEC in forced fumbles, recorded two interceptions, scored twice on special teams and finished fifth in Heisman voting. His memorable season began in the opener when he scored a defensive touchdown against third-ranked Oregon in Arlington, Texas. It was LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne however that won the league’s defensive player of the year award that season after accumulating six interceptions to go along with 51 tackles.
A thorough 32-point pasting of 12th-ranked Georgia in Atlanta for the conference crown was the exclamation point on one of the most dominant regular seasons in league history as LSU won nine games against SEC competition by an average of 27.2 points per contest. The final battle didn’t end the way the Tigers had hoped however after Alabama got its revenge in an All-SEC rematch in the BCS Championship Game with a 21-0 win.
Quarterback Jordan Jefferson, steady throughout up to that point, struggled against the nation’s most well-prepared defense. LSU managed just five first downs in the contest and crossed midfield only once.
Best offensive player: Rueben Randle, WR
Best defensive player: Tyrann Mathieu, S
Best win: In a matchup dubbed ‘The Game of the Century’, the Tigers held off Alabama, 9-6, in Tuscaloosa to stay unbeaten during the regular season.
Defining moments: Take your pick of any big play made by the Honey Badger who impacted games with an array of strips, passes defended and special teams plays from his spot in the secondary.
LSU’s 2011 schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent# | Rank# | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 3 | 7 PM | vs. #3 Oregon | #4 | Cowboys Stadium • Arlington, TX | ABC | W 40–27 | 87,711[3] |
| Sept. 10 | 7 PM | Northwestern St. | #2 | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | PPV | W 49–3 | 92,405[4] |
| Sept. 15 | 7 PM | at #25 Miss. St. | #3 | Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS | ESPN | W 19–6 | 56,924[5] |
| Sept. 24 | 7 PM | at #16 West Va. | #2 | Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV | ABC | W 47–21 | 62,056[6] |
| Oct. 1 | 11:21 AM | Kentucky | #1 | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | SECN | W 35–7 | 92,660[7] |
| Oct. 8 | 2:30 PM | #17 Florida | #1 | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | CBS | W 41–11 | 93,022[8] |
| Oct. 15 | 2:30 PM | at Tennessee | #1 | Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN | CBS | W 38–7 | 101,822[9] |
| Oct. 22 | 2:30 PM | #19 Auburn | #1 | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | CBS | W 45–10 | 93,098[10] |
| Nov. 5 | 7 PM | at #2 Alabama | #1 | Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL | CBS | W 9–6 OT | 101,821[11] |
| Nov. 12 | 6 PM | Western Kent. | #1 | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | ESPNU | W 42–9 | 92,917[12] |
| Nov. 19 | 6 PM | at Ole Miss | #1 | Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS | ESPN | W 52–3 | 59,877[13] |
| Nov. 25 | 1:30 PM | #3 Arkansas | #1 | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | CBS | W 41–17 | 93,108[14] |
| Dec. 3 | 3 PM | vs. #12 Georgia | #1 | Georgia Dome • Atlanta, GA (SECCG) | CBS | W 42–10 | 74,515[15] |
| Jan. 9 | 7:30 PM | vs. #2 Alabama | #1 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, LA (BCS National Championship Game) | ESPN | L 0–21 | 78,237[16] |
