I think as a foundation we have to acknowledge that team chemistry has to be at a peak level to go undefeated or to win a national championship.
It wasn’t so in 2010, and that explains in part why we lost - the pressure was just too great and so we got steamrolled against USCe. We got our groove back and then lost a slugfest to LSU where their defense stepped up their game. We lost to AU when we let off the gas right about the time AU found their sea legs. We also had a few bad breaks that factored in.
NONE of those losses point to systemic issues with us. None of them.
2011 we lost a slugfest to LSU. We give up 3 field goals.
2012 we gave up a quick 20 to A&M and then held them to what – seven points? – in three quarters against the quirkiest QB in major CFB history.
See how it goes?
2013 we lost to Auburn in a game where AU was better than we realized, our offense went into a shell, and the wackiest ending you can imagine.
2014 we lost to Ole Miss when our DBs played poorly in the second half, Bo Wallace got hot, and we lost two important parts of our offense.
So here’s what it takes to beat us – a hot qb, a good defense, bad play calling on our end, injuries and a few turners wouldn’t hurt.
Absent all that – you’re not winning.