The 2019 LSU Tigers are often hailed as one of the most dominant college football teams in recent history. With a perfect 15-0 record, a slew of offensive records, and a national championship, they left an indelible mark on college football. But the question remains: do they deserve to be considered the best college football team of the 2000s? To answer this, we must compare LSU’s historic season with other teams of the decade—teams like the 2001 Miami Hurricanes, the 2004 USC Trojans, and the 2005 Texas Longhorns—while also considering what made LSU’s 2019 squad so special.

#### The 2019 LSU Tigers: A Historic Season

LSU’s 2019 season was nothing short of extraordinary. Coached by Ed Orgeron, the Tigers featured one of the most explosive offenses in the history of the game, powered by quarterback Joe Burrow, who would later win the Heisman Trophy. Burrow’s performance was jaw-dropping, as he threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns while completing 76.3% of his passes. This set numerous NCAA records, including the most touchdowns in a season and the highest passer rating in a single season.

LSU’s offense was a juggernaut, but what set them apart was their ability to perform against elite competition. Their regular-season slate included victories over top-ranked teams like Alabama, Texas, and Florida, with the win over Alabama being particularly momentous. This marked the first time LSU had beaten Alabama in a decade, and it came in dominant fashion, with Burrow throwing for 393 yards and three touchdowns.

The SEC Championship win over Georgia and the playoff triumphs over Oklahoma and Clemson solidified LSU’s place in college football lore. In the National Championship Game, LSU faced off against a Clemson team that had steamrolled its way to the title game. However, LSU’s offense was too much for Clemson’s defense. The Tigers outpaced their counterparts in every phase of the game, winning 42-25 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score suggested.

#### Comparing LSU to Other Great Teams of the 2000s

While LSU’s 2019 squad was undoubtedly spectacular, the 2000s featured several other teams that laid claim to being the best in college football history. The 2001 Miami Hurricanes are often regarded as one of the most complete teams ever assembled.

* **2001 Miami Hurricanes**: The Hurricanes went 12-0 during the regular season and steamrolled their way to a national championship. The team boasted an NFL-laden roster, with players like Ed Reed, Jonathan Vilma, Jeremy Shockey, and Andre Johnson. Miami’s defense was a swarming, physical unit, and the offense was led by quarterback Ken Dorsey, who had playmakers at every position. Miami’s dominance was especially evident in their 37-14 victory over Nebraska in the National Championship Game. Many of the players on that Miami team would go on to become household names in the NFL. However, the 2001 Hurricanes played in a weaker, less competitive era, and their regular season wasn’t as challenging as LSU’s.

* **2004 USC Trojans**: USC, led by head coach Pete Carroll, boasted one of the most explosive offenses in college football history. Quarterback Matt Leinart, running back Reggie Bush, and wide receiver Mike Williams were among the nation’s best at their positions. USC was virtually untouchable in 2004, cruising to a 13-0 record. However, a controversial loss to Texas in the 2005 Rose Bowl, a game many consider one of the greatest in college football history, kept them from winning a national title that season. Had USC claimed the 2004 national championship, their claim as the best team of the decade would have been much stronger.

* **2005 Texas Longhorns**: Vince Young’s heroics in the 2006 Rose Bowl against USC are the stuff of legends. Texas was a powerhouse in 2005, finishing the season 13-0 and winning the national championship in dramatic fashion. Young accounted for over 450 yards of total offense in the Rose Bowl and led Texas to a 41-38 victory over USC. The Longhorns’ triumph was a mix of a dominant defense and an offense led by Young, who was one of the most electrifying players in college football history. While Texas’ 2005 season was remarkable, their overall body of work didn’t quite match the consistency and dominance of LSU’s 2019 campaign.

#### Why LSU Might Be the Best of the 2000s

The case for LSU being the best team of the 2000s lies in several key factors:

* **Offensive Explosion**: The 2019 LSU offense, with Burrow at the helm, was unstoppable. LSU set records for points scored and yards gained, and their ability to score at will against top-tier defenses (like Alabama and Georgia) was unprecedented. The transformation of LSU’s offense under coordinator Joe Brady, who introduced the modern, pass-heavy offense, made them a historically dynamic team.

* **Tough Competition**: The SEC, in particular, was at its peak in 2019. Alabama was the gold standard in college football and had won multiple championships during the decade. LSU’s win over Alabama, which had been undefeated in 2019 before facing LSU, cemented their claim as the top team in the country. Additionally, LSU’s victory over a strong Oklahoma team and a loaded Clemson squad in the playoffs showcased their ability to rise to the occasion against the best teams in the country.

* **All-around Excellence**: While LSU was known for its offense, their defense was also stellar, led by players like K’Lavon Chaisson and Derek Stingley Jr. While they weren’t as dominant as Miami’s 2001 defense, LSU’s ability to balance offensive fireworks with solid defensive play made them a more well-rounded team than some of their predecessors.

#### The Scheduling Debate: NFL vs. College Football

The discussion surrounding college football scheduling has grown more complex in recent years, especially as the NFL’s 17-game schedule and college football’s 12-game regular season continue to be compared. The NFL season now runs from September to January, and with a potential for even more playoff games, it can seem like NFL teams have to play fewer regular-season games against tough competition to reach the postseason. College football teams, on the other hand, face a more grueling 12-game regular season with less room for error.

Many argue that NFL teams, despite the longer season, are afforded more opportunities to rest and recover, especially with more teams making the playoffs. College teams, especially those in power conferences, often face multiple top-ranked opponents in the regular season, meaning they can’t afford many slip-ups. The question becomes: Should college football adopt a longer schedule to mirror the NFL, or would that dilute the importance of each regular-season game?

Additionally, college football’s postseason format—currently a four-team playoff—has sparked debate over whether teams from non-power conferences are unfairly excluded. A larger playoff format, similar to the NFL’s, would provide more opportunities for teams to prove their worth, but it could also make the regular season less significant.

LSU’s Historic Legacy

When considering LSU’s 2019 team against other great teams of the 2000s, it’s clear that they belong in the conversation for the best team of the decade. Their offensive dominance, combined with their success against elite competition, sets them apart from the likes of Miami’s 2001 squad, USC’s 2004 team, and Texas’ 2005 champions. The transformation of LSU’s offense under Joe Brady, along with Joe Burrow’s Heisman-worthy performance, turned them into a historically great team.

However, the debate of NFL vs. college football scheduling will continue. The NFL’s longer schedule, more playoff teams, and rest periods offer advantages that college teams don’t get, which leads to the argument for a change in the way college football schedules and structures its postseason.

Ultimately, LSU’s 2019 squad may not only be the best of the 2000s but one of the best in college football history, a team that combined skill, talent, and heart to leave a lasting legacy.