LSU entered the 2003 football season with a potent offense and the potential for a dominant defense under head coach Nick Saban. Ranked 15th in preseason polls, Nick Saban's fourth LSU team quickly answered early questions by opening with a 5-0 record, including an upset of No. 7 Georgia in Death Valley. The Tigers finished 13-1 overall and 7-1 in SEC play, outscored opponents 475 to 154, became the first team in school history to win 13 games, and claimed the SEC Championship. Four Tigers earned All-American honors, LSU boasted the nation's No. 1 defense, and a 21-14 Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma secured the National Championship.