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LSU @ Alabama; Tigers and Tide control own destiny for SEC title game

To say that Saturday’s showdown between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide is a big game almost wouldn’t do it any justice. This game has so many implications for both teams and for the entire SEC conference. While both teams sit inside the nation’s top ten, LSU at no. 9 and Alabama at no. 3, they are also sitting at no. 1 and 2 in the SEC West, looking for a shot at Florida for the SEC Championship, in which, presumably, the winner would go on to the national championship game.

Not to mention that other little aspect that has Tiger and Tide fans riled up, Nick Saban facing his former team.

Coach Saban was able to return to Baton Rouge last year and secure a victory in his old stomping grounds, with a thrilling 27-21 overtime victory. While Saban was able to quiet a lot of his former faithful last season, he insists that this year’s game is not about him, but about the players.

“The game is about the players,” he insisted, trying to head off those questions. “There’s a lot of good players and this is two very good teams that have good players on both sides.”

Coach Les Miles, who just passed Saban for third in wins all-time at LSU with 49 after last Saturday’s blowout over Tulane, acknowledged the importance and the magnitude that this game holds.

“Since I’ve been here, this team enjoys playing big games,” Miles said. “It only counts one, but it’s a very important one. We always want to honor our best opponent with our best effort. Every time we play Alabama, home or on the road, we realize that it’s going to be a very competitive game. It matches two of the best college football programs in the country.

“Our football team wants to compete for the Western Division championship every year. That’s this game. The game is very significant. Our guys understand that.”

The SEC West looks as if it will surrender its spot to which ever top defense outplays the other, as both defenses rank in the nation’s top ten in scoring, with Alabama claiming the no. 5 scoring defense, and LSU boasting the no. 7 scoring defense.

Alabama is coming off it’s closest contest of the season after defeating Tennessee just 12-10 two Saturday’s ago. “Mount” Terrence Cody had to block two field goals, including one as time expired, to help keep the Tide’s perfect season alive. The bye week will most certainly help an Alabama team that hasn’t had a week off until this past weekend, and should help rejuvenate what looked to be a team that was mentally exhausted.

Let’s take a look at the positional matchups in what looks to be another SEC slug fest.

Quarterback

Advantage LSU. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy has struggled since starting the SEC schedule, and looks to face yet another imposing defense. McElroy hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in his last three games (Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee) and really needs to get back on track to help balance out this Alabama offense. LSU’s Jordan Jefferson has really started to come into his own as a starting quarterback in the SEC. Jefferson has really been able to control the pace of the game through the air and has been very accurate this season (63.7 %) as well as efficient (11 TD, 4 INT). Look for freshman standout Russell Shepard to run some Wildcat to give the LSU offense a different look.

Running Backs

Advantage Alabama. Mark Ingram has arguably been the best back in the country this season. Ingram has had to really put the Tide offense on his back the past few games as the passing game has struggled and he has responded with a few career days against Ole Miss and South Carolina. Ingram is second in the SEC in rushing yards with 1004 (1st in ypg with 125.5) and has scored 8 rushing touchdowns as well as 3 receiving touchdowns. Freshman Trent Richardson has had a standout year and Roy Upchurch provides the Tide with a great third option and is a great pass threat. LSU’s Charles Scott leads LSU in rushing with 459 yards and 4 touchdowns. Russell Shepard out of the Wildcat has been very effective, rushing for 225 yards on just 28 carries (8.0 ypc) and 2 touchdowns. Keiland Williams has also added 212 yards and two touchdowns.

Wide Receivers

Advantage LSU. The Tigers boast one of the best receiving cores in the entire country with Terrence Tolliver and Brandon LaFell creating most of the buzz. Tolliver (6′5″, 206 lbs.) leads the team in catches and yards with 38 for 501 and 3 touchdowns, while LaFell is just behind him with 37 catches for 478 yards and a team high 8 touchdown grabs. Freshman Rueben Randle has yet to really get involved, but look out for a possible breakout game. Alabama’s receiving core has really taken a hit with the struggles of Greg McElroy. While they were able to get off to a good start early in the season, they have almost fallen off the map as the past few weeks have gone on. Julio Jones leads the team with just 20 catches, but looks to be healthy for really the first time this whole season, and Marquise Maze is looking to the deep ball back into Alabama’s repertoire. Colin Peek, who missed the Tennessee game due to a strained knee in warm ups, should return to the lineup to give McElroy his safety valve. Look for Darius Hanks and Mike McCoy to get into the action as well.

Offensive Line

Advantage Alabama. Alabama’s interior line has been absolutely superb behind the play of Mike Johnson, William Vlachos, and freshman Barrett Jones, while tackles Drew Davis and James Carpenter have been able to keep McElroy off of his back as much as possible. LSU is anchored by tackles Ciron Black and Joe Barksdale, guards Lyle Hitt and Josh Dworaczyk, and center T-Bob Hebert. The Tigers have allowed 23 sacks this season, second most in the SEC.

Defensive Line

Advantage Alabama. This is the unit that seems to wear down opposing offenses in order to open them up for the different looks that the Tide like to show. Led by nose tackle Terrence Cody (savior of the Tennessee game) looks to cause havok for the interior line of the Tigers and should be able to open up some holes for the blitzing linebackers. Lorenzo Washington and Brandon Deaderick will also be able to get some pressure up front, while Marcel Dareus and Josh Chapman provide the depth for what looks to be the best defensive line in the country. LSU is led by senior tackle Charles Alexander, to go along with tackle Drake Nevis and ends Rahim Allen and Pep Levingston.

Linebackers

Advantage Alabama. Led by middle linebacker Rolondo McClain, the Alabama linebacking core has been stellar since the loss of Dont’a Hightower. McClain looks to be one of the best linebackers in the country, and his play hasn’t disappointed. McClain has been playing next to freshman standout Nico Johnson, who has seen his role increase to a starter in the past few games. Seniors Cory Reamer and Eryk Anders have also played exceptionally well since the loss of Hightower. LSU is led by seniors Perry Riley and Harry Coleman, with Jacob Cutrera and Kelvin Sheppard also seeing time at the linebacker spot.

Defensive Backs

Advantage Alabama. Alabama’s corners, Javier Arenas and Kareem Jackson, will be tested by the Tigers big receivers for a second straight season. Arenas and Jackson have been exceptional this season with nickel Marquis Johnson really stepping his game up as well. Safety Mark Barron has also played out of his mind, tied for the SEC lead with 4 interceptions, while safety partner Justin Woodall has been extremely consistent and solid with his play. Robbie Green has also played very will in relief as both a safety and cover corner. LSU is led by senior corner Chris Hawkins, as well as talented sophomore corner Patrick Peterson, and junior safety Chad Jones. Sophomore Brandon Taylor is tied with Jones and Hawkins for the LSU lead with 2 interceptions.

Special Teams

Advantage Alabama. Since the first two games, in which Alabama allowed 2 kickoff returns for touchdowns, the Alabama special teams have been nearly flawless. The coverage team has been very solid since, in large part to great kickoffs by Leigh Tiffin. Tiffin has also been very sound in the kicking game, converting on 20 of 23 field goals, including a perfect 4 for 4 last week, accounting for all of the Tide’s points. P.J. Fitzgerald has been very solid on punts this season. All-world return man Javier Arenas has been on the shelf the past few games due to a rib injury, but should be healthy enough to return this game. LSU is very solid in the return game with speedster Trindon Holliday returning both kicks and punts. Also look for Chad Jones to return some punts. LSU kicker Josh Jasper has been pretty solid this season, but shows some inaccuracy on the longer kicks. Punter Derek Helton is near the bottom of the SEC in punting average.

This game really needs no added hype, as both teams are very good and very well respected as national powerhouses. Obviously this game has SEC ramifications, as well as national championship, and the better team should be able to prove it on the field. I see a pretty typical SEC gridiron matchup where the better defense should prevail. I’m going Alabama in a slug fest, 20-10.

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