#2 LSU at #4 Alabama Preview (Part 2) and Prediction
By Scotty Nola
With all the focus being spotlighted on Saturdays game featuring #2 LSU at #4 Alabama, by far the most attention is being paid to the matchup of Leonard Fournette and his group of savages against the nation’s 3rd ranked rushing defense.
While that is certainly the aspect of the game Heisman voters will watch carefully; the Tigers are also going to have to try to make something happen in the air against Alabama’s pass defense to keep the chains moving, and get points on the scoreboard.
In this part of our #2 LSU at #4 Alabama preview, we are covering all of the action when LSU has the ball…..
When LSU Runs the Ball
Oct 24, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the fourth quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Western Kentucky 48-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Leonard Fournette is the man Alabama coaches and players and the entire country expect to see. You can expect the Tigers to deliver early and often.
Running against Alabama will not be an easy task. Alabama is starting seven seniors and three juniors on defense, and most of these veterans line up in the front seven.
The starters aren’t the only problem, Alabama can rotate four and 5 star athletes in at every position on the line all day.
That stout Tide front will be a real challenge for the nations best offensive line. This is a classic match of strength vs. strength.
Alabama has the nations third ranked rushing defense. They give up only 78.5 yards per game and 2.6 yards per carry.
LSU has the nations fifth ranked rushing offense, averaging 309 yards per game and 6.66 yards per carry.
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Alabama wil not give up the kind of rushing numbers LSU is used to putting up. They will have to respect Leonard Fournette though and keep their defense crowded in the box every time he is on the field.
The Alabama defense has great experience and size but none of their linebackers have Fournette’s open field speed. Fournette is always one missed tackle away from breaking a big run.
Fournette’s bruising style is not something the Tide have faced before. They have not seen a team with LSU’s depth at running back either.
The Tigers can rotate backs all night, and all of their backs are big physical runners who can deliver a pounding and have the speed to take advantage of any open space.
It will take some time for LSU to wear Alabama down in the trenches. The Tide are a big athletic group up front. But the Tigers can match them size for size and strength for strength, and LSU has superior speed.
The Tigers probably won’t be able to compete with some of their best running totals of the year but I fully expect them to keep their head above water in this game.
When LSU Throws the Ball
Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) throws as Florida Gators defensive lineman Alex McCalister (14) defends during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Leonard Fournette may be the straw that stirs the Tigers drink but the development of first year starting Quarterback Brandon Harris has turned the LSU offense into a legit two way attack.
It was Harris’ second quarter outburst against a respected Florida defense that led the way for the Tigers in that game. Harris was also instrumental in helping the Tigers to the blowout win over South Carolina that caused Gamecock Head Coach Steve Spurrier to abruptly retire.
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Alabama traditionally plays a stout pass defense led by future NFL players in the defensive secondary. They are a talented group but they can be thrown on.
Texas A&M QB Kyle Allen threw for 263 yards on the Tide while Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly racked up 341 yards and three touchdowns against them. Alabama gives up volume and they also give up big chunks of yards in the passing game.
In their loss to Ole Miss the Tide gave up passing plays of 73 and 66 yards, a box score line that has surely caught the attention of LSU Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron and receivers Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural.
The one big threat to watch for from the Alabama defensive backs is their ability to jump routes and make plays on the ball. They are a threat to intercept passes, but this is an area where Brandon Harris has consistently excelled this year.
Most media pundits are predicting this to be a low scoring game with Alabama having the slight advantage playing at home. I am not certain where this advantage is expected to materialize.
Alabama has not given up much in the run game this year but they have not seen a line like the Tigers front or a back like Fournette.
Alabama has shown that they can be thrown on by a good down field passer who protects the ball well and has the arm to make deep plays. LSU has all of these ingredients in place.
Fournette will run well, and he will break the century mark against the Tide. Not his greatest game but enough to keep the chains moving.
Sep 26, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is tackled by Syracuse Orange cornerback Wayne Morgan (2) and safety Antwan Cordy (8) during the first quarter in a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
The real opportunity for LSU is in the passing game. Alabama is vulnerable here, more vulnerable than they have been in years. The deep passing threat of Brandon Harris throwing to Dural and Dupre is a place where this game can come unraveled quickly for Alabama.
Brandon Harris has not thrown for over 300 yards as a Tiger–yet. He will have that opportunity on Saturday, and if his receivers hands stay steady do not be surprised if the Bama game turns into the Brandon Harris coming out party.
The national media, the Vegas bookies and even ESPN’s computers favor the Tide but looking at the weapons LSU has on offense I can confidently call LSU the favorite in this game, and I predict a final score of:
LSU 31, Alabama 13