Statistical Snapshot: Alabama vs. LSU at First Glance

Over the next two weeks we're gonna get a heaping helping of opinion, analysis and abject conjecture concerning the Nov. 5 tilt between the Tide and the Tigers in Bryant-Denny Stadium. To get everyone started on the discussion with the raw numbers in hand, here are the NCAA's official statistics for the Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Bayou Bengals presented side by side for comparison. Let the debate begin.

Rank Stat 15 229.25 61 228.38 41 144.10 23 457.63 14 39.38 39 1.50 1 44.88 3 135.63 1 83.63 1 180.50 1 6.88 53 2.13 18 (tie) 7.63 71 36.37 19 12.71 35 23.47 19 0.75	Category Rushing Offense Passing Offense Pass Efficiency Total Offense Scoring Offense Sacks Allowed Rushing Defense Pass Defense Pass Eff. Defense Total Defense Scoring Defense Sacks Tackles for Loss Net Punting Punt Returns Kickoff Returns Turnover Margin	Stat Rank 189.00 30 183.13 99 162.38 10 372.13 78 39.25 15 0.88 14 76.63 4 174.75 11 96.48 4 251.38 3 11.50 3 2.38 33 7.63 18 (tie) 41.08 6 8.05 62 23.77 29 1.88 2

For those of you interested in more detailed statistics, we urge you to visit SB Nation's center college football stats Football Study Hall notably the Adj. Score Rankings that looks at each team's record evaluated against a hypothetical "perfectly average" opponent.

For even more robust numbers, you should also check out the college football statistics available on Football Outsiders including FEI rankings, as well as Offensive S&P+, Defensive S&P+ and Overall S&P+ numbers. Don't worry, they explain what all those acronyms mean before rolling out the data.