GAME NOTES: A Top-25 showdown is on tap this weekend in the SEC Western
Division, as the fourth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide take on the 14th-ranked
LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on Saturday evening.
Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide dropped an early October matchup with Ole Miss, but
have regained their form with wins in each of the last three games, including
a 34-20 road win at Tennessee two weeks ago. Alabama was idle last weekend but
at 4-1 in conference play and matchups with Mississippi State and Auburn left
on the docket, a division title and spot in the SEC Title Game is very much a
reality.
This is never an easy matchup according to Saban.
“These games are traditionally very tough, physical games between two ranked
teams, and it is certainly not going to be any different this year.”
Les Miles’ Tigers are mathematically still alive in the division race and
certainly helped themselves with a 10-7 victory over Ole Miss back on Oct. 25.
Also idle last week, LSU is 3-2 in the SEC with three games to play.
Alabama holds a 48-25-5 series advantage over LSU and has won three straight
and five of the last seven meetings, overall. The Crimson Tide own a 26-9-2
edge in games played in Baton Rouge.
A balanced attack that seems to be peaking is something that the rest of the
SEC has to be afraid of. Alabama is getting it done both on the ground (218.6
ypg) and through the air (290.2 ypg), resulting in a hefty 508.9 ypg (11th
nationally).
Quarterback Blake Sims has delivered and more than filled the void left by the
departure of A.J. McCarron under center. Alabama’s signal caller has completed
65.5 percent of his passes, for 2,034 yards, with 15 TDs against just three
INTs. He also has five rushing scores to his credit.
The passing attack is so dangerous thanks to the play of All-America candidate
Amari Cooper. The 6-foot-1 junior has asserted himself as the nation’s best
receiver, hauling in 71 balls, for 1,132 yards and nine TDs thus far.
The ground game is fueled by a pair of capable backs in T.J. Yeldon (618 yds,
5.2 ypc, 5 TDs) and Derrick Henry (530 yds, 5.1 ypc, 4 TDs).
The Alabama defense deals with tons of turnover each year, but Saban finds a
way to fill the holes and keep his unit near the top of the nation in most
categories. This year is no different, as the team gives up just 14.0 ppg (2nd
nationally), while allowing a mere 78.0 ypg rushing (2nd nationally), 199.1
ypg passing (28th nationally) and 277.3 ypg total (4th nationally).
Linebackers Reggie Ragland (team-high 56 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 FR, 1 FF),
Tre DePriest (41 tackles), 1 FF) and Xzavier Dickson (25 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 6.5
sacks) are playmakers in the middle of the defense. Safety Landon Collins (54
tackles, 2 INTs) represents yet another Alabama defensive back with a high NFL
draft grade.
Miles is impressed with Alabama’s defense, especially Collins.
“Defensively, I don’t know that we’ll find that we’ll play against a team this
year that has as quality a defense as this team. They’re big, strong and fast
and play in the secondary. Just a talented group. Landon Collins, Louisiana
native, is having a great year, making plays, and again, very, very
talented guy and playing very, very well in the secondary.”
LSU likes to enforce its will on opponents with a devastating ground game. The
Tigers are averaging 225.7 yards per game rushing on a healthy 4.6 yards per
carry. LSU has scored 22 times on the ground this season. The passing game
(188.6 ypg) plays off the strong rushing attack.
Freshman Leonard Fournette (657 yds, 5.0 ypc, 7 TDs) and seniors Terrence
Magee (418 yds, 6.1 ypc, 3 TDs) and Kenny Hilliard (416 yds, 5.0 ypc, 6 TDs)
give LSU a three-pronged attack in the backfield.
Sophomore QB Anthony Jennings has started eight of the team’s nine games under
center this year and has been rather disappointing as a passer, completing
just 50 percent of his throws, for 1,190 yards, with eight TDs against five
INTs.
Sophomore WR Travin Dural has been a revelation on the outside, as the 6-2
youngster is averaging an eye-popping 25.0 ypc, with 27 receptions, for 676
yards and seven TDs.
The Tigers have been vulnerable to the run this season, allowing a generous
159.7 yards per game on 4.5 yards per carry. However, the pass defense has
been stellar (4th nationally at 158.4 ypg), leading to a mere 15.9 ppg allowed
(4th nationally).
Junior linebacker Kwon Alexander leads LSU in tackles with 57 total stops. He
has 6.0 TFL to his credit as well as two forced fumbles. Junior defensive end
Danielle Hunter (55 tackles) paces the team with 10.0 TFL, with 1.5 sacks, 1
FF and 1 FR. Senior defensive end Jermauria Rasco (42 tackles) leads the team
with three sacks.
Saban is wary of LSU’s defensive tenacity.
“Their defense has been outstanding, one of the most difficult teams to score
on No. 1 pass efficiency defense in the country,” said Saban. “They are
always ball-hawking. They create a lot of turnovers. Ball security is an issue
when you play against these guys.”
Neither team can afford another loss on their ledger. Alabama is playing at an
extremely high level right now and the Tide just find a way to win games when
needed. This one won’t come easy, but a huge road win in Baton Rouge could
propel Alabama to new level of confidence down the stretch.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Alabama 30, LSU 24
