The annual meeting between LSU and Alabama ia finally here. LSU has not beaten Alabama the regular season of 2011. Alabama comes into this match ranked first in the College Football Playoffs Poll at an undefeated 8-0. LSU is 7-1, and they are ranked third in the Playoff Poll. The Tigers only loss was in Florida. However, LSU bounced back from the loss to Florida by beating Georgia by 20 points the following week. LSU-Alabama will probably be one of the best matchups of the season, if not the very best. The winner of this game will control their own destiny and most likely end up in the SEC Championship Game.
Not many people expected the LSU Tigers to be in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff this season. The AP Poll ranked the Tigers 25th in their preseason poll, while the USA Today Coaches Poll ranked them 24th. There were two main reasons that many people doubted the Tigers going into the season. First, LSU’s schedule this season looked very difficult for them, as they had to play two top 10 teams, Miami and Auburn, in the first three weeks. After that, LSU would still have to play Georgia, Mississippi State, and Alabama. Secondly, the offense going into the season had a lot of uncertainty surrounding it. Danny Etling, who was LSU’s starting quarterback, graduated last year along with other key offensive players, such as running back Derrius Guice and wide receiver DJ Chark. Also, LSU fired their offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who they had just hired prior to last season, and promoted tight end coach Steve Ensminger. Another spot of uncertainty for LSU was at kicker. Although Connor Culp played somewhat well for LSU, he was not as consistent and reliable as the Tigers needed him to be. Because of the tough schedule and uncertainty of the offense and the kicking position, many sports analysts doubted LSU, and most of them predicted LSU to go 6-6 or 7-5.
Alabama, the defending national champions, have been very strong this season. Many people say that this might be the best Alabama team ever. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama’s starting quarterback and the leading player in the race for the Heisman Trophy, and the Alabama offense have dominated every opponent they faced, averaging 54.125 points per game.
What Alabama needs to do to win:
- Be Alabama – Alabama just needs to be themselves and dominate. The Tide need to continue their streak of scoring on their first possession. They need to score often and take the crowd out of the game. They Tagovailoa to make his quick accurate passes his receivers. The defense has to dominate. They have to get to Burrow, rattle him, and create turnovers.
- Take advantage of no Devin White – As you probably already know, Devin White, LSU’s best player on the defense, was ejected from LSU’s win over Mississippi State due to a controversial “targeting” call, and, by the “rules,” he will have to sit out the first half against Alabama. White is a big leader and also the leading tackler for LSU. He was named the National Player of the Week following the Tigers 36-16 upset of Georgia. Alabama must take advantage of him not being there. They have to have a big rushing attack in the first half. With now Devin White, it will be much easier to run the ball.
- Be Aggressive – Alabama has to take shots at the endzone and test the LSU secondary. If it is fourth and short, they must go for it. They need to keep LSU’s offense off the field.
- No special teams mistakes – The Tide have had a reason history of making key special teams errors, with the kicksix in the Auburn game a few years ago and the missing of a short game winning field goal in regulation of the national championship being two of the really big ones. Alabama’s kicking team is not that good, and their punting is rather bad. On the other hand, LSU has two good punters and a really good kicker in Cole Tracy. If the game comes down field goals and the special teams, I think LSU will win.
- Just score – The Tide does not have to worry about their kicking and punting issues if, whenever they get the ball, they score. They need to tire out the Tigers defense.
What LSU needs to do to win:
- Score early – LSU has to score on their first drive.
- Feed off the crowd noise – LSU has to take advantage of their energized enthusiastic crowd.
- Go for our – If it is 4th and 5 or closer the Tigers need to go for it to keep the Tide’s offense off the field.
- Pressure the quarterback – Tua Tagovailoa has been great. One of the reasons for this is he has had lots of time to throw the ball. The Tigers have to bring pressure and rattle Tagovailoa.
- Don’t get rattled – Alabama might be ranked first, but LSU is third. They have to play with confidence. If they make a mistake, they have to bounce right back.
Game Prediction:
LSU plays the best when they are the underdogs. I think that they are going to force an early turnover and hold Alabama’s offense back. Cole Tracy will play well and lead the Tigers. When Devin White comes back, the crowd will be filled with even more energy than it was in the first half. LSU will feed off that energy and break the streak.
LSU 25 Alabama 23
