Coach O leaves no doubt: "This team could play with anybody on any day."
New Orleans—Ed Orgeron had gotten very little sleep, but he was all smiles when he met with the media Tuesday morning, just hours after No. 1 LSU beat No. 3 Clemson 42-25 to win the CFP national championship.
But as sleep-deprived as he was, Orgeron quickly jumped on the second question of the day:
Is this LSU team (15-0) the greatest in SEC history?
Think bigger, Orgeron said.
“This is a team for the ages,” said Orgeron, who was headed back to Baton Rouge for a recruiting weekend. To go 15-0 against the teams that we beat (Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M) is a great accomplishment.”
The case can certainly be made that LSU of 2019 is the greatest SEC teams of all time. The Tigers are the first team in conference history to go 15-0 in a season. The SEC has had two 14-0 teams in Auburn (2010) and Alabama (2009).
LSU became the ninth undefeated national champion in SEC history. Here is that list.
Season-----Team--------Record
2019--------LSU-----------15-0
2010--------Auburn-------14-0
2009--------Alabama------14-0
1998--------Tennessee-----13-0
1992--------Alabama-------13-0
1980--------Georgia---------12-0
1979--------Alabama--------12-0
1961--------Alabama--------11-0
1958--------LSU----------------11-0
But does this LSU team stack up with some of the greatest in college football history? We’re talking teams like 1971 Nebraska, 1995 Nebraska, 2001 Miami, and 2009 Alabama?
“I think so,” said Oregon. “To play the teams that we played an to control the game the way we did, we have to be mentioned with some of the greatest ever.”
So what’s next? Without giving their names, Oregeron said LSU had targeted a couple of key players to round out what is now rated the No. 5 class recruiting class for 2020. Monday night’s performance certainly won’t’ hurt that effort.
After recruiting thoughts turn quickly to the 2020 season. A lot of these guys, like quarterback Joe Burrow, will be moving on. There is the buzz around assistant coach Joe Brady, who changed everything. Somebody is going to offer him a lot of money. Can LSU keep him?
But this much we know. LSU football has been forever changed by the national championship team of 2019. After decades of inadequate quarterback play, it will now become a destination school for elite quarterbacks and wide receivers. They saw Joe Burrow take a chance and hope that his dreams would come true. Every one of them did. So after decades of plodding play on offense, LSU an never go back—at least as long as Ed Orgeron is there.
“I am so blessed to be at LSU,” said Orgeron. “I love the people.”
And yes, Coach O, they love you back. You and your players gave them the greatest season in school history with a team that will withstand the test of time.
“These guys can play with anybody, anywhere, on any day,” said Orgeron. “They are that good.”