First and foremost, I would like to say good luck, and Roll Tide to everyone out there. I look forward to this matchup, and have no doubt that this will be the National Championship of college football this season. It's ironic to me that both teams get a week off, and the world has to anticipate this matchup for two weeks.
As I see it:
QB - LSU has the edge in this category. You have two proven QB's, and a dual threat with Jefferson. Jefferson lit up the Tide last season, and Alabama has yet to face a legitimate dual threat this season. LSU has yet to face a secondary like Bama's and they are going to make it difficult on these QB's. Another thing to remember is that a lot of these defenders have already faced Jefferson, and this offense, and know what to expect for the most part. Not sure how well the pass rush will do in this game either, because of the O line of LSU I will speak in a bit about the LB's matchup of the two teams... On the other side of the QB situation, you have AJ McCarron. Although LSU has the edge, I don't think it is a factor when comparing the QB's. AJ has proven that he doesn't make mistakes. Before the INT last week, he had thrown 150+ passes without an INT, and the ones before that were in the first game, when the QB situation was a factor. What is important to me is that he came back from that INT, he didn't let it effect him, and he had his best game of the season. AJ does what is asked of him, and takes what the defense gives him. Granted, we have in no way faced a secondary like LSU's, so it will be interesting to see how well he performs.
Agreed, and only because we have 2.
RB - Edge Alabama here... Overall statistics make Trent Richardson the best running back in the nation right now, and Eddie Lacie is ahead of Ford as well... I consider that duo to be the best in college football, period, and to argue that is crazy. This has a lot to do with a dominant offensive line... If anyone thinks that stacking the box is gonna just shut him down, you're crazy. Trent is gonna do his thing, and be a factor in this game. I am not saying he will run all day, because once again, this LSU front is the toughest we have faced all season, aside from Florida's. (Yes, Florida has a BIG, Experienced, Talented defensive line.) Because of this, there will be times when Trent is shut down, and we are gonna be forced into pass situations. On the other side, I can't say that similar won't happen on the LSU side of the ball. I am not taking away from the offensive line of LSU, because they are big and tough, and allow Ware to do amazing things. How well they will do against this Tide rushing defense, which is ranked first in the nation, is a matchup that will be interesting to see. I personally think the Tide is gonna dominate the LSU run game for the most part, but that is the "Bammer Homer" in me.
I disagree with this. While I think if LSU only had Ware and Ford, the edge would go to Bama, that just isn't the case. You guys have 2 running backs you use, Eddie Lacy and Trent Rich, we have Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Alfred Blue, Terrance MacGee, and Kenny Hilliard. 5 is better than 2.
Wr's - Slight edge to LSU because of the tallent, explosiveness, and deep threat ability. Alabama has also proven that they are exposed at times to the deep threat, so I can't say that LSU won't break a few of those off. I say slight because, although Bama doesn't have that legit deep threat, we do have a plethora of proved receivers who are spread around among some proven TE's as well. Neither team has faced a secondary like the others...
I disagree with this also. I think we have a distinctive advantage at receiver. We are so deep at this position it's ridiculous, you have Marquis Maze and Hanks, and Bell when he isn't dropping everything.
TE's - Edge Bama... Our TE's are proven threats, and the two of their combined yardages is more than the 3 of LSU's. TD's are the same. (Totaling 3 for each team) Smelly is also an EXCELLENT blocker on the O line...
I can go with this, however Deangelo Peterson is a weapon, just ask your coach.
O Line - SLIGHT edge to Bama, and that is ONLY because of the rushing yards they have allowed for Trent Richardson. Each line is experienced... Bama probably has more depth... They are both great at allowing the QB time to throw the ball, and dominant when running the ball. I'd love to hear some feed back on the matchups of the O lines of both teams vs the defensive front seven's of the other.
I disagree with this as well. I think this is also a definite advantage for LSU, especially since you guys lost some depth with the injury to Kajagogo or whatever his name is. We run about 8 offensive linemen through a game. Stats can be misleading. We rotate backs and linemen, and do things like run 13 play 8 minute drives. It's all about clock with LSU not stats.
DLine - Edge LSU... These boys are big, mean, and experienced. They are gonna cause some issues for Bama at times during this game. We have a pretty excellent set ourselves, so don't think they are just gonna get ran over all day. They are part of the reason this is the #1 ranked rush D in the nation boys and gals.
Definite edge to LSU. Brockers will be in the NFL, Bennie Logan will be in the NFL, Ken Adams, Mingo, and Sam Montgomery will be in the NFL. Freak Johnson is a beast and he is a backup, Rasco is a back up and he is a beast. You lost Dareus, your best D lineman, LSU's defensive line is the best in the country.
LB's - Large edge Bama... Dont'a Hightower, and Courtney Upshaw are the two of best LB's in college football. They are dominating all over the field, and are a terror for their opponents. They will cause some major issues for LSU, this I promise. This is why I say that the LSU run game will be, for the most part ineffective. As I said before, we have the #1 ranked rush defense in the nation for a reason.
Agreed. You have a huge edge at Linebacker. But.... I really like the way Tahj Jones played last week, in his first real action at Linebacker.
Secondary - Even - As far as turnovers go, LSU has the edge. The "Ganja Bear" is AMAZING, and he will cause some issues for Bama. I think the coordinators are even here, but Saban gives the edge, because I think he is the best mind in college football, and most of the NFL when it comes to coaching a secondary. Experience wise everything is pretty even also, except Bama returned all 4 starters in the secondary, and I think LSU lost a main guy. For the most part LSU should be able to contain our WR's and give us some issues, and I think the same goes for Bama's.
This part I find humorous. LSU's secondary could walk on to an NFL team and play immediately. How Alabama can go from what pundits called the worst secondary in the SEC a year ago, to suddenly a secondary that is on par with Mathieu, Claiborne, Simon, Reid, Brooks, Loston, Taylor and company is beyond me. Definite edge to LSU.
I said at the beginning of the season in a lot of forums... No team in college football, this season, will score more than 17 points on Bama's defense. I stick to that even with this game. I think LSU has some issues when they allowed WV to put up 500+ yards on them, and had a lot of opportunities to keep that game closer. There isn't a team in college that can put up 500 on Bama, that I promise you. I think Bama is the more experienced, deep, physical team, and they will wear LSU down. This game will stay close for quite some time, and could be decided in the 4th quarter, with the more physical team wearing the other down, and coming away with the victory, and a SEC/National Championship later down the road.
Final Prediction 17 - 28 Bama
Thank you all for listening, and BEST OF LUCK! Roll Tide!
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