When Alabama and LSU meet in Tiger Stadium this Saturday, it’s not just a game; it’s a showdown with stakes higher than a Cajun gumbo pot. The stakes in Baton Rouge feel as thick as the Louisiana humidity. Both teams come in with identical 6-2 records, and both have three conference wins under their belt, but the real prize is staying in the hunt for the College Football Playoff. While neither team may take home an SEC title this year, that CFP dream is still alive – barely – and the loser will all but shut that door.
For Alabama fans, Coach Nick Saban has set a standard so high over his 17-year run that any season without a title chase feels incomplete. Now, first-year coach Kalen DeBoer is tasked with keeping the Tide on course and faces one of his biggest tests yet. On the other sideline, LSU’s Brian Kelly, in his third season, has his own challenge. After a solid start to the year, LSU suffered a brutal second-half collapse against Texas A&M, where they squandered a double-digit lead and fell 38-23. With Tiger Stadium hosting a crowd hungry for redemption, Kelly and his squad will need to bring their best to protect their turf.
How to Watch Alabama vs. LSUDate: Saturday, Nov. 9 Time: 7:30 p.m. ETLocation: Tiger Stadium – Baton Rouge, LouisianaTV: ABC Live stream: fubo (Try for free)The Quarterback Duel
This game brings two quarterbacks who hold the keys to their teams’ fate. Alabama’s Jalen Milroe is a playmaker, plain and simple. He’s scored 25 touchdowns this season, with 13 of them coming from his arm and the rest with his legs. He’s a threat not just to pass but to extend plays and keep drives alive – a skill that’s kept Alabama in tight games. Milroe’s four rushing touchdowns against LSU last season are burned into the memories of Tigers fans, and LSU’s defense will be looking to make sure he doesn’t repeat that feat.
For LSU, Garrett Nussmeier has the talent and confidence to make big plays, but his performance against Texas A&M two weeks ago was a rollercoaster ride. Despite a solid first half, he threw three interceptions in the second half, a disaster that left LSU fans shaking their heads as a 10-point lead turned into a 15-point loss. With seven touchdowns and seven interceptions over the last four games, Nussmeier will need to be smart and steady against a Tide defense that may not dazzle with interceptions but knows how to keep a quarterback off-balance.
Key Matchup: LSU’s Pass Rush vs. Milroe
Milroe has been on the receiving end of some rough sacks this season. Over the last four games alone, he’s been sacked 11 times, a stat Alabama would love to turn around. The LSU defensive front has been relentless in the pass rush, notching 28 sacks this season. Bradyn Swinson has been a standout, tallying eight sacks and becoming a nightmare for quarterbacks, while linebacker Whit Weeks adds another threat to Alabama’s offensive line. If LSU’s pass rush can keep Milroe scrambling or take him down behind the line, it could spell trouble for the Tide.
LSU’s Offensive Woes
LSU’s Garrett Dellinger, a key player on the offensive line, is sidelined with a high ankle sprain that will require surgery, a tough blow for the Tigers. LSU has allowed only four sacks all season, leading the SEC in pass protection, but Dellinger’s absence could open up vulnerabilities that Alabama’s defense will be eager to exploit. This comes as LSU’s running game faces its own set of challenges; they rank last in the SEC in rushing yards per game (115.3), and in their last outing against Texas A&M, they averaged a miserable 1.0 yards per rush.
PredictionRelated stories
With home-field advantage and a wild Tiger Stadium crowd behind them, LSU is hoping to pull off the upset, but they’ll need Nussmeier to play his best game of the season. Milroe, on the other hand, has shown he can handle high-pressure games, and if he can carve out some space to make plays with his legs, Alabama should come out on top.
As for the betting line, Alabama is favored by a slim margin, but that line feels almost as unpredictable as the rivalry itself. Expect a close one, and don’t be surprised if it comes down to the final minutes.
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Publish date : 2024-11-08 15:50:00
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