NCAAF Game Preview: No. 1 Alabama at No. 15 LSU
As college game day heads on down to the Bayou, so does the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) as they will face the No. 15 rival LSU Tigers (5-2) in a night showdown at Tiger Stadium. Alabama comes in having won the last five meetings between the two.
LSU has been a completely different team since Ed Orgeron took over as head coach, and has been putting up 41.6 points per game, while only giving up 12.6. They’ve been establishing the run, and playing great defense in Baton Rouge since Les Miles got fired.
Alabama has looked unbeatable in every game. They’ve dismantled everybody they’ve played with ease, and continue to benefit from good play all across the board. Nick Saban is looking to close out the Tide’s road schedule with a huge win deep in enemy territory this Saturday.
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Hootie Jones (6) slides through the confetti on the field after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Hootie Jones, S: This will be Hootie Jones’ first start in Eddie Jackson’s place, and in his home state nonetheless. He will need to be prepared to be the signal man in the secondary, and to fill in for a key player that Alabama will be missing in their secondary. Jones needs to be on his A-game for the Tide to pull off the victory.
Da’Ron Payne, DT: Alabama lost their big run stoppers to the NFL last season, and Da’Ron Payne will be the key player in the Tide’s win versus LSU. He will see a lot of time Saturday, and will be the key gap clogger in the middle for the Tide, and at 6’2″ 319 lbs. he can do just that. Expect to hear his name called a lot on Saturday.
Calvin Ridley, WR: Alabama can’t connect on the deep throws just yet, and Calvin Ridley is one of the best deep ball threats in America. Expect the Tide to take some shots deep once they reach midfield, and for Ridley to be the target. He’s an explosive playmaker who can burn you all over the field, and most importantly a reliable pair of hands for tight situations.
Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) throws against the Mississippi Rebels during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Danny Etling, QB: LSU had quarterback problems, they benched Brandon Harris and that’s still unsolved. Etling has completed 60.5% of his passes, and has seven touchdowns to three interceptions, but just hasn’t looked like the solution, being inconsistent at times. Typically, mobile quarterbacks who can throw on the run and make them respect the edge beat Alabama, Etling isn’t that, he’s a pro-style guy who will have a lot put on his plate Saturday.
Leonard Fournette, RB: In the middle of an almost unprecedented Heisman run, Fournette’s hopes were upended by Alabama when he carried the ball 17 times for 31 yards and a touchdown. Fournette hasn’t forgotten that game, and he will not be held in check like that again. He is the key to LSU’s offense, and if he can’t get going, neither can they.
Jamal Adams, S: Adams is a force to be reckoned with in the defensive backfield, and has a knack for finding the ball. Adams, a senior, will have a big role in stopping the passing attack, and the run attack, if he can make plays like he always does, and bait the true freshman quarterback, Jalen Hurts, into some dangerous throws the Tigers will keep it very close.
Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) passes the football to Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) against Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Stop Leonard Fournette: Alabama has the number one run defense in America, they give up only 2.2 ypc, 70.1 ypg, and have only given up three touchdowns all year. Leonard Fournette is the heart of LSU’s offense, and if they can shut him down like they did last season then this could be a blowout. If the Tide want to win, they can’t allow Fournette to run all over them like he did to Ole Miss in their last game.
Make Danny Etling Beat You: Alabama’s best chance to beat LSU is to load up the box to stop the run, and make Danny Etling throw. Etling is inefficient, and a quarterback they can keep in the pocket. Alabama has proven with this year’s front that they only need to rush four, and they’ll still get to the quarterback very fast. With a loaded box, and that pass rush this game could be ugly for LSU if Bama stops Fournette.
Throw The Ball Effectively: Jalen Hurts has yet to connect on the deep ball, and that likely won’t change deep in enemy in Baton Rouge, but he is money on the mid-range throws. If Hurts can regularly complete mid-range and short-range throws to open up the deep ball, Alabama could take some shots and test LSU’s secondary with their weapons like Ridley, ArDarius Stewart, and even the forgotten five-star Robert Foster. Expect to see a good bit of O.J. Howard up the seam as well.
Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Arden Key (49) and safety Jamal Adams (33) play defense against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at NRG Stadium. LSU won 56 to 27. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Get Fournette Going: LSU’s offense is so run heavy, it gets predictable after a while. The only thing is that even though it can be predictable it works because of who they have running it. If LSU can run the ball against Alabama they can establish some high percentage play action passes that allows Danny Etling to get the ball to their talented receivers and tight ends with minimal risk, the classic Orgeron O.
Get off the Field on Third Downs: Alabama’s offense is 16th in total offense gaining 498 yards per game, and putting up 41.9 points per contest. They’re 13th in the country with a 49.1% conversion rate on their downs, it’s crucial LSU stops them on third down. Alabama has an offense that can push the tempo, or keep your offense on the field, it would be bad for LSU to allow them to convert on third and keep their defense out there, especially with a matchup that doesn’t favor their offense.
Force Field Goals: Alabama’s place kicking struggles are well documented, perhaps even overplayed. But no matter which way you look at it, Adam Griffith is a liability for Alabama, and LSU’s dream scenario would be to force Alabama into long field goal situations. Griffith’s made 66.7% of his kicks, and if he misses a kick(s) early, it may force the Tide to consider taking chances on fourth down.
Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans cheer during pregame before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Death Valley at night is one of, if not the, hardest places to play in the entire league. Alabama will enter undefeated with a true freshman quarterback and a nasty defense to boast. LSU will enter with one of the best one-two punches at running back, and a talented defense to pit against them.
More from NFL Mocks
Alabama’s yet to go deep into their playbook thanks to early blowouts, their quarterbacks ability to run, and the fact that they have three running backs splitting carries and excelling. Their defense is built for these kind of games, except this time there aren’t as many big bodies to stop Fournette, but much more speed.
LSU will need to throw the ball if they want any chance to win, and that will be difficult to do with Alabama’s talented defensive backs. They will need a career day from Danny Etling, and their defense to beat this Alabama team. Expect Coach O to pull out everything he has against the top ranked team.
It’s very unrealistic to expect Fournette to only gain 31 yards again this year, this Alabama defense isn’t as big as last year’s and will concede more yards. Fournette will not reach 100 yards, but will be near 85 at the end of the game, Alabama’s 10 game non-offensive touchdown streak breaks, and Alabama will run the ball with Jalen Hurts leading the way with 130+ yards.
FINAL: Alabama 34 LSU 16
This article originally appeared on 
