No. 8 Alabama plays host to No. 14 LSU on Saturday night on CBS with an inside track to the SEC title game. The Tigers topped the Crimson Tide in a thriller last season, and if they can do it again, they’ll have a shot to play in the SEC Championship Game for the second year in a row.
But if Alabama can hold serve at home and avenge last season’s 32-31 overtime loss to the Tigers, it will be one step closer to clinching the division and potentially reaching the College Football Playoff. These teams have played some thrilling games over the years, and it’s only fitting that the SEC has so much stakes for the last meeting before scrapping its divisional format with the additions of Oklahoma and Texas for 2024.
The Crimson Tide have rattled off six straight since falling 34-24 against Texas on Sept. 9 and played some of their most impressive football of the season in a 34-20 victory over Tennessee in their last game before a Week 9 bye. The Tigers also enter the bye and should feel confident after scoring 159 points on a three-game winning streak that has helped resurrect their conference title hopes.
Alabama vs. LSU: Need to know
Jalen Milroe vs. LSU’s secondary: Alabama’s offensive strengths set up well against LSU’s defensive weaknesses. The Tigers are tied for No. 103 nationally. Opponents like Ole Miss and Missouri have opened up their pass defenses. Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milro thrives in the downfield passing game and may be able to take advantage of that weakness. In Alabama’s last three games, Milrow has completed at least one touchdown pass of 45 or more yards as the Crimson Tide has threatened opposing defenses as receivers Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond have begun to thrive.
Run Establishing: It will be interesting to see how dedicated these teams are to establishing runs. In last year’s meeting, Daniels finished with more rushing yards than all of LSU’s running backs combined, while attempting 51 passes with Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. The Tigers have been effective on the field in SEC play with Logan Diggs, but Alabama’s run defense is flying high after limiting Tennessee’s rushing attack to its second-lowest output of the season two weeks ago. If the Crimson Tide can run at LSU as successfully as Ole Miss did in a Sept. 30 win over the Tigers, it could make up for LSU’s edge in the quarterback game.
Alabama vs LSU Predictions, Picks
Odds by SportsLine Consensus
The weather is expected to be nice in Alabama on Saturday as these explosive SEC West title contenders tangle. Alabama will take advantage of calm skies to air it on LSU’s weak secondary, and the Tigers will contend with the nation’s top-rated passer in Jayden Daniels. Both quarterbacks are also adept at running the football when things break down. Both defenses will struggle to field third downs and should expect points on nearly every possession. Pick: Over 60.5
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