Published October 18, 2011 - 7:54am
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
Today is October 18th. So what if we’re a little over two weeks until the best college football game in the country for 2011? It will be the biggest non-championship game in quite some time. The TV ratings will be through the roof as the whole country will be tuning in from ACC country to Pac-12 country in order to see some the best of the best in college football.
We are only a mere 18 days away from this epic matchup, so let’s get started breaking it down.
We’ll start with three reasons why Alabama beats LSU on November 5th:
1. Trent Richardson
There is no one in college football having a finer season than Alabama’s Trent Richardson. From power running plays to screen passes, Richardson is imposing his will on would-be tacklers in the open field. Not one tackler has proven he can bring Richardson down. You have to gang-tackle this cat. With Richardson’s dynamic performance this past weekend against Ole Miss, he catapulted himself straight into the Heisman talk. Not many Heisman pundits were talking about Richardson seriously a week or so ago, but now they are. Richardson gained 183 yards on 17 carries and scored four rushing touchdowns. On the season, Richardson now leads the SEC in rushing with 912 yards on the ground on 132 carries and 15 touchdowns. He is averaging a crazy 6.9 yards per carry on the year. Arm tackles won’t get the job done.
Why? LSU has been good against the run this season, but if there is just one area the Tigers would be vulnerable, it would be straight up the middle. Alabama will run into the teeth of the Tiger defense behind their mammoth offensive line with the best power runner in all of college football in Richardson. Tennessee had success running the football on the Tigers in last weekend’s game. Was it enough? Obviously not, but they did have some successes with the power running game. LSU’s defense is very good, but the Tigers could be vulnerable up the middle.
This game will define Richardson’s campaign for Heisman in 2011 – he might be the best running back in college football since Adrian Peterson.
2. Home Field Advantage
Bryant-Denny Stadium is a beautiful masterpiece and a staple of football in the South. There is a ton of history in this stadium, and the all-time attendance record will be well in jeopardy when these two teams meet.
Over the course of history, Alabama is 216-50-3 all time at Bryant-Denny. This crowd will be rocking, not only because of the likely No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, but not one Crimson Tide fan can forget what happened last year in Death Valley.
I think the home crowd will be a huge factor, but LSU will travel very well, as they always do.
3. Nick Saban
There is not a better coach in the game today than Nick Saban. Saban’s attention to detail is very impressive, and it’s all business, all the time.
Saban has his defense smothering opponents so far this season, and Alabama is No. 1 in scoring defense (allowing 7.0 points per game), rushing defense (38.14 yards per game) and total defense (184.1 yards per game). And while they haven’t played the teams that LSU has so far, I do think player for player this defense has more experience and is more physical overall. I won’t say they are more talented or faster, because that is simply not the case, but this defense knows its assignments and it executes to perfection. It’s like a well-oiled machine every Saturday.
This defense and offense takes on Saban’s tough personality and physical presence. Alabama is the most physical team LSU has seen in any of their games this season.
Conclusion
While you can make an argument for both LSU and Alabama winning this football game, these are just three reasons why Alabama wins. We’ll be looking at three reasons LSU wins this game coming up.
One thing that won’t be argued – the SEC Championship, the National Championship and the rest of America will be weighing on this game.
18 days and counting…
You’re an idiot. LSU is number one for a reason. We’ll pull out all the stops on the Bama defense, and even score on your offense. I hope you like sucking on your toes, because your foot is going to be in your mouth in 18 days!
And conversely I’ll expect you back here to recant your idiotic statement if Alabama beats them.
Yeah a computer formula put LSU there. Trent Richardson isn’t into computers.
You obviously didn’t read all of the post…”While you can make an argument for both LSU and Alabama winning this football game, these are just three reasons why Alabama wins. We’ll be looking at three reasons LSU wins this game coming up.”….He’s only giving the reasons Alabama will win this week so all the LSU fans can calm down and just be patient lol
Reason #1: This game will define Richardson’s campaign for Heisman in 2011 – he might be the best running back in college football since Adrian Peterson. LSU beat Oklahoma & Adrian Peterson.
Reason #2: I think the home crowd will be a huge factor, but LSU will travel very well, as they always do. They have not lost a road game this year The crowds of the opponents are what helps to inspire them to play at their best.
Reason #3: This defense and offense takes on Saban’s tough personality and physical presence. Alabama is the most physical team LSU has seen in any of their games this season. Alabama likewise has not played against a Defense that is as fast, talented and swarming as the LSU Defense and they to are a physical, tough Defense.
Yes for every reason that one of these Teams will win there are as many if not more why the other Team will win also. We all need to remember the game will be played by the Players on the field, not the Coaches on the sidelines, not the Media that can come up with articles like this about how much better one Team is than the other or any of the words that we all type on these forums as Fans and how much better we think our is than the other. Who wins will be determined by how well they know what to do and when to do it at the given time it is for them to demonstrate how well there are prepared to do so.
Both Teams still have another game to play and a week off to rest up, to heal up and to prepare for the other Team. The game they play before the game on Nov. 5th is just as important in the scheme of things as this one least we all get caught up and forget it. Unless they play and win that game, this game will not carry the impact it could have if both Teams were undefeated. So, yes I am just as excited as the next Fan at looking forward to this game but, they do have to take them one game at a time and to show you that what I said in the last paragraph is true about the other team may have more reasons than the other to win, well….
Reason #4: When given more than 1 week to prepare Les miles has lost only 2 games in the previous 6 years while he has been the Head Coach at LSU. Miles is 16-2 when he has more than a week to prepare for an opponent. With that I wish the Best for both Alabama and LSU in this upcoming week so that we as Fans do really get to see THE Game of this new century up till now. With both Teams undefeated and with a minimal number of injuries so they will both be at full strength so there can be no excuses for either team.
As an LSU Tiger Fan, I Say, Geaux Tigers!
casey, as far as your comments about LSU winning the game, I think both teams will be going on the field as evenly matched as ever before. I am an Alabama fan, would love to see them win, but as you said, it will be played by THE PLAYERS, not the coaches, not the media or the fans. We can blow our collective horns for our teams all day long, but in the end, who ever has the most heart and talent will come off the field with the points on the board. It will definitely be the game o watch in 2011.
reason 1- lamichael james, trent richardson, ect. LSU does not give up big plays -they are too fast. if bama runs richardson 40 times for 200 yds it wont be enough if they cant score. reason 2 is valid. reason 3. what are the head to head with miles and saban? i think miles is ahead by 1. 31-20 LSU
LaMicheal James and Trent Richardson are two VERY different running backs. LaMicheal is scary fast when he wants to be but Trent is fast and SCARY STRONG. And Im pretty sure Ol’Mad Hatter hasnt won but one National while Saban has won two at two different schools (LSU,BAMA)
all good opinions. should be a great defensive gm although both teams have great offensive lines to run behind also. two great coaches too. the difference is my tigers have been tested this season and passed with flying colors. playing all those ranked teams early has prepared us for this gm. LSU will win!!! Geaux tigers!!!
Umm Bama has been just as tested as LSU has. Penn State is not an easy place to play. Also, Bama absolutely destroyed the best offense in the conference (Ark), then went on the road and ran all over UF. BTW, LSU was lucky that UF played Brissett, you can thank Bama for that.
I’m sorry but all these LSU fans are simply not paying attention. Bama has the 2nd best offense in the SEC and the number 1 defense. You know what the 2nd best offense and the best defense on the same team means? CHAMPIONSHIP! Bama’s defense gives up almost half as many rushing yards as LSU. Yes, LSU has played some tough teams, but Oregon was completely overrated and it was almost a home game for LSU. They went to Morgantown and gave up 550 yards of passing….seriously? LSU’s offense is not great….very good, but not great. Bama’s defense will give Jarrett Lee fits. LSU’s defense relies too heavily on turnovers, of which Bama only has 1 since the first game. Bottom line, Bama’s offense is better than LSU’s and the defense is a push at worst. 31-17 Bama.
I personally just can’t wait to see what Tyrann Mathieu does when he comes up against wide receivers who are more than prepared to deal with his showboating ass.
I’ll also wager that Jefferson and Lee will both have brown streaks up the back of their trousers courtesy of Mr. Courtney Upshaw.
While Miles may be 16-2 with a bye week, Saban rarely loses to any team two seasons in a row, and has not since he has been at Alabama. One of those is going to give November 5th. Either team can win this game, but being an Alabama fan, I am going to believe it will be my team. I think the difference is going to be our offense, not just Richardson. Both LSU and Bama have great defenses, flip a coin as to which one is better and good coaching. Our offense is only second to Arkansas in the conference, and is very balanced. That with home field advantage could be the difference, but we’ll see, its going to be a good one. Roll Tide.
First off, let me say to the LSU fans bashing this article, IF YOU WAIT A FEW DAYS OR NEXT WEEK EITHER JON, KEVIN, OR ROBERT WILL POST 3 REASONS WHY LSU WILL WIN!!!! So get over it for now!
Second off, Bama has the second best offense in the SEC and 2nd best defense in country! Yall beat an over rated Oregon, and West Virginia(who put over 500 yards on you!) and then who else? Miss St? They’re not near as good as predicted and then a couple of cup cakes. LSU’s defense is good but not great, rely to heavily on turnovers and the offense is very one demensional other than the occasional deep throw. I get that they try to break the will of the opposing D by the 4th quarter but Bama is too deep for that.
AJ has developed great so far and since the first game has really protected the ball. Then look at Bama’s running backs, Trent Richardson(aka the next Hiesman winner), Eddie Lacy(who will be healthy) and Jalston Fowler(3rd stringer who put 125 and 2 tds last week and is averaging over 8ypc(and weighs 250 pounds!)) They will score to many points on LSU and LSU wont be able to keep up.
Bama wins but keeps it close….35-24
Reason # 4 – Honey Bear runs his mouth too much & will be dealt with accordingly on the field. But, hey, these are the 2 best teams in the country, & we all can’t wait to see them settle it on the field. Hope neither awbrn or Tinnisee doesn’t mess around & ruin our plans this weekend – you can’t overlook anybody.
Saban will pull all the stops too!!! Im sure he is saving the best ones for LSU!!!!!! We will see who wants it more LSU or BAMA my pick is BAMA!!!!!
Ala D has given up 1289 yds to date LSU 1763. Thats 474 yards more. Ala O has racked up 3224 yds to date as LSU 2584, thats 640 yds more. Alabama has given up 49 points to date as per LSU’s 82. Something tells me LSU as good as they are will not be good enough to stop Richardsson & company on the running. Now lets not forget the tight ends who hit as hard as any line backer when blocking down field and the numerious recievers who have showed they can run after they have cought the ball. Alabama doesnt have to throw deep cos the running game on average gets 6.8 yds per carry so why throw deep if you dont have to. LSU has scored mostly in the 2nd half wearing down their opponents were as Alabama has always owned the 4th quarter…The game is won on the field not on paper but this says Bama has a slight advange and will capatilize on it Roll Tide
here’s an advanced preview of
here is an advanced preview of part of my lsu bama package. Bama fans…oter than arkansas, name me one team ranked on the southside of 75 for total offense. Go ahead.
offense that bama has faced
Ok, then name to me, other than LSU, who has Oregon(Who was shut down by Auburns horrid D last season) and West Virgina played? And dont even try to bring up Miss St…who is 4-3 and had to take LaTech to overtime. West Virginia put over 500 yards on LSU and Arky who is averaging 466 yards per game, only managed 226 against Bama. Bama has the number 1 run D in the country and what does LSU try to do? Run the ball. It wont work against Bama!
I think all of you Alabama fans are right- you will beat LSU by 21 points — I think Saban should forget about getting ready for that game and focus on Auburn.
LOL….we spanked Auburn !!!! So now what !!!
Have any of you people screaming about this article read this blog before? Jon is a Florida man and has no dog in hunt. This is an objective look at the reasons why Alabama is capable of beating LSU. Furthermore, as he writes in the article: We’ll be looking at three reasons LSU wins this game coming up.
Also, Jon, I hate to disagree about TR, but I have seen him brought down by single defenders. What happens is, after TR levels the defender, he trips over the guy.
I am surprised that no Bama fans have griped that he listed only three reasons. Says the LSU fan.
Congratulations! You’re ever so slowly learning to use the innerwebs!
It’s this damn innerwebs for dummies written by a Bama fan. It takes forever. Every time I complete some mundane task, it tells me to go make a T-shirt and brag to everyone about what I did. You feeling a wager? Something fun.
See? At least at Alabama we’ve learned to write books. LSU is still learning how to read them. Sorry, no. I never wager on anything. I once had a Soldier with bad gambling debts and I realized I couldn’t legitimately tell him to stop if I was doing it. Never wagered since.
It’s going to be a nail-biter. It will be the first (and the last time) in the regular season that both teams’ fans will be fearing a loss late in the game.
LOL…I think all of this is really quite amusing . But I have to ask. Your so sure that your going to beat LSU with the coach that isn’t on the best of terms with Mike the Tiger , the team or 100 thousand of their closest friends . So tell me what happened in South Carolina when you were spanked by the Gamcocks . Hey I’m just asking. Saban’s not all that weve been there done that! Moved on…. See ya’ll on Game Day !
Oh — You will see what Saban has for ya’ll It’s comming so get plenty of towels to wipe the tears away If I remember right Ark. put a good one on LSU last year but Bama handled them too last year so I would leave last years stuff alone .. Bama has the best stats on both sides of the field so we will see ….. Roll Tide!!!!