Who saw this top-10 showdown coming back in August? If you did, you should’ve also bought a powerball ticket.
LSU-Alabama is always the one circled on the schedule for Bayou Bengals fans. Some are even still bitter about Nick Saban leaving LSU for the NFL 18 years ago, only to land as the head coach of Alabama a few seasons later.
This series has produced several epic games over its rich history. Over the last decade Alabama and LSU have put more guys in the NFL than any other programs in the country. The Tigers and Tide have won a combined 22 national championships (18 for Bama, 4 for LSU).
LSU's sudden rise in the rankings might also have some fans thinking the Tide are ripe for the picking. Alabama was beaten by Tennessee 2 weeks ago, knocking the Tide from the top 5, something that’s rare to say in any season. Texas also put a scare into Alabama in Week 2. This Alabama team, despite its stars, doesn't seem quite as dominant as many of Saban’s previous rosters.
DE Will Anderson is always a player to keep an eye on. He's a one-man wrecking crew. I expect LSU will send help to their tackles with TEs in line or chip blocks from running backs coming out of the back field. Bottom line: Don't let that cat wreck the game.
This will likely come down to quarterback play. Alabama’s Bryce Young is a big-time playmaker. If you give him time to work he’ll carve up a defense with surgical precision. Manufacturing pressure on Young will be paramount for the Tigers, but that comes with a “but.” The purple and gold defense will want to hem Young in the pocket. If you let him escape, his legs are more than good enough to make it hurt.
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LSU's Jayden Daniels has caught fire in the last two games, accounting for 11 touchdowns (5 passing, 6 rushing) and zero turnovers. The Arizona State transfer finally looks comfortable in the offense and has a willingness to push the ball down the field, even if it puts the ball at risk. The QB that plays mistake-free football will likely be the one who wins this game.
One factor to watch: Alabama has committed an inordinate number of penalties this season. In the loss to Tennessee, the Tide were flagged a whopping 17 times. Nick Saban's team is 130th out 131 FBS schools in penalties committed. That seems unimaginable for a Nick Saban lead team. If they continue that sloppy play, LSU needs to take advantage.
The Tigers have beaten Alabama just four times since Saban took over in 2007. ‘Bama owns the all-time series edge 55-26-5. The Tigers lost to Alabama 20-14 last year in a gutsy performance for their outgoing head coach Ed Orgeron.
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The Crimson Tide are favored by 13.5 points over LSU this time. I see it being a lot closer. This will be Jayden Daniels’ real coming out party, and if it is, he could thrust himself squarely into the Heisman conversation.
I think LSU pulls this out in wild, 46-41 shootout. At the end of the night in Death Valley the Tigers will be in sole possession of the top spot in the SEC west, and a more than serious potential road to the SEC Title game and even CFP bracket.
The loss to FSU to start the season will feel like a decade ago.