Alabama vs. LSU Prediction, Game Preview


Alabama vs. LSU prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the SEC West clash between the Crimson Tide and Tigers.


Alabama vs. LSU Game Preview

When: Saturday, November 5 – 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
TV Broadcast: CBS

Jalen Hurts. Leonard Fournette. Geaux Tigers. Roll Tide. This has all the makings of a classic.

Both teams are coming off byes. Alabama is undefeated and mostly unchallenged, running over the opposition with ease. LSU, on the other hand, has dealt with some adversity, including the firing of head coach Les Miles. Since his dismissal, the Tigers have been running on all cylinders.

Strap on your shoulder pads and fasten your helmet tight. This is going to be a hard-hitting, drag ‘em down fight.

What To Know About Alabama

What can’t this team do? Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts has been excellent, and could very well be on his way to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Stop him, and you have to face running back Damien Harris, who has become the latest Alabama back that eats up yards behind a huge defensive line. Force the Crimson Tide to pass? Then you are dealing with Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart, and O.J. Howard. This offense is explosive.

Oh, and don’t forget about the defense, which scores as much as most offenses. The defensive front is headlined by Jonathan Allen and Tim Williams, who put pressure on quarterbacks at all times. Linebacker Reuben Foster is a star, and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick heads up a secondary that is second to none.

What to Know About LSU

An offense that was as flat as a three-day-old Pepsi has come around and is now thriving under a new system. Getting Fournette back healthy was obviously a big help, but Steve Ensminger has opened up the playbook and let the Tigers play more freely. Quarterback Danny Etling leads the charge, and has been able to awaken wide receiver Malachi Dupre from the dead.

This is the best defense that Alabama will have faced this season, and performs as a carbon copy of the Crimson Tide: pressure the quarterback, stop the run, and force mistakes. Defensive end Davon Godchaux will lead the front that will try to contain Hurts, while linebacker Kendell Beckwith is a star at the second level.

Advantages

Offense: Alabama. No one thought Hurts would be this good so early. He gives the Tide another dimension with his running ability.

Defense: Alabama. LSU is deadly on defense, but the Tide just have so much talent it is embarrassing.

Special Teams: Alabama. Losing Eddie Jackson as a kick returner hurts, but it will be next man up.

Coaching: Alabama. Ed Orgeron has revived the Tigers, but no one beats Nick Saban in this category.

Intangibles: LSU. The Tigers were shut down by Alabama last season and are on a mission to redeem themselves. Oh, did I mention this is a night game in Death Valley?

Matchup To Watch

LSU rushing attack vs. Alabama defense

Fournette was held to 31 rushing yards in the loss to the Tide last season. He must do better to give the Tigers a chance.

Alabama vs. LSU Betting Odds

Spread: Alabama -7
Over/Under: Not available at time of post.

Alabama vs. LSU Prediction

A month ago, this looked like it would be a blowout by the Crimson Tide as the Tigers struggled to a 2-2 start. Now, with LSU playing as well as they have in a while, this is going to be a battle. Fournette will be looking to play much better than last year, and he will, but Alabama is too talented at all positions on the field. Hurts makes the difference with a few runs to pick up first downs and the Tide stay undefeated.

Alabama vs. LSU Score Prediction: Alabama 31, LSU 23

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