Published November 1, 2011 - 6:50am
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Quarterback – Edge LSU
While AJ McCarron has played pretty steady this year, I would say LSU has been slightly better this season. LSU’s passing efficiency is better (162.4 to Alabama’s 144.1), and LSU has thrown for more touchdowns as well (16 to 10). While McCarron likely has thrown for more yards than Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson combined, LSU’s passing offense is really good when they incorporate play action and when they are running the football with authority. Jarrett Lee has been superb this season under tough situations, from all of the offseason talk about Jordan Jefferson to getting thrown into the fire in the first game of the year against Oregon. Yeah, I know he’s a fifth-year senior, and you can argue that he wasn’t exactly throw into the fire because that is more of a term used when a true freshman or redshirt freshman gets thrown into the mix right away. I think the job Jarrett Lee has done this year is the comeback-player-of-the-year type of performance. I also like the way Les Miles is using Jordan Jefferson. The truth be known, Miles was looking ahead to Alabama knowing they will need both quarterbacks to win. Lee might not be able to beat the Tide through the air, and that is where Jefferson can add a different style on the ground and through the air to get the ball moving some on offense. I like the way these two complement each other, but I am cautiously optimistic at how they are being used throughout this season.
Now, I’m not taking anything away from McCarron, because he is an efficient quarterback, and he has done everything Nick Saban and Alabama has asked him this year. But up to this point, I would give LSU the edge at quarterback because Lee has been really good, and Jefferson adds another playmaker at the position and a different dimension.
Running Back – Edge Alabama
There is little doubt Trent Richardson possibly has the brightest future of anyone who will be on the field this weekend. He is in the top three right now for a Heisman in the country, and a good performance against the Tigers, along with a victory, could give him the boost he needs to win the award. Richardson is tied for the league lead in rushing with Michael Dyer with 989 yards, has a terrific 6.6 yards per carry average, and leads the SEC with 17 touchdowns. Now, I really like the rushing attack of Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Alfred Blue present for LSU. Ware is going to be terrific for the remainder of this year and his career, but the addition of freshman Kenny Hilliard could be the X-factor in this game for LSU. I think Hilliard gives LSU a viable power runner than no one else in the SEC has except for Alabama. With that being said, not one of the four are even close to being as good as Trent Richardson right now. The edge has to go to Alabama.
Wide Receivers – Edge LSU
LSU’s wide receiving corps has really stepped up its game this year for the Tigers. Rueben Randle is third in the SEC in receiving with 638 yards and seven touchdowns. Randle is leading the SEC in yards per catch with 19.3 yards per catch. Along with Randle, freshman Odell Beckham has stepped up in crucial situations this year, especially with Russell Shepard being out for the first few games. Beckham has caught 27 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns. Beckham is lightning quick in the open field, and he has been the speedster on the outside for the Tigers. Tight end Deangelo Peterson has caught 12 balls for 133 yards and one touchdown as well.
While Alabama uses the running backs more in the passing game than the Tigers, it adds a solid dimension in the passing game. Marquis Maze is Alabama’s leading receiver, as he has caught 39 passes for 482 yards and one touchdown. Darius Hanks has caught 18 passes for 230 yards as well. Trent Richardson, Brad Smelley, Kenny Bell and DeAndrew White have all caught more than 10 passes.
However, I think Randle is arguably the best deep threat in the SEC this year. He’s not that fast, but he can be physical with corners, and he uses his body very well. I know some might disagree with me, but I think Randle is, pound for pound, the best receiver in the SEC this season. He has proven the ability to get open, and he catches the football when it’s thrown to him. Beckham and Russell Shepard can take one to the house if they get loose on the outside to give them a different dimension and type of receiver than Randle. Now, he hasn’t faced a defense or corners like Alabama yet, but I still like Randle and this LSU receiving corps.
Offensive Line – Push
Since Alabama is the No. 1 rushing offense in the SEC and the top overall offense in the SEC statistically, one would automatically think they are the best offensive line also. While Alabama has some maulers up front, LSU’s offensive line has given up the fewest sacks in the SEC with seven, five better than the next best team – Alabama. Trent Richardson makes the rushing offense really go, but Alabama’s offensive line led by Barrett Jones and William Vlachos are maulers up front who really help Richardson to get to the next level. He does the rest from there.
While Alabama’s offensive line will get more pub, LSU’s offensive line has been just as good. Senior center PJ Longergan, T-Bob Hebert and William Blackwell have played really well this year, and they are the heart and soul of this offense. LSU has surrendered the least amount of sacks in the SEC, as mentioned previously, and they have opened up some very good running lanes for the running back cast of Ware, Ford, Blue and Hilliard.
Alabama might have the edge here, but if there is an edge, it is not much.
Defensive Line – Edge LSU
If there are two words that describe the LSU defensive line it would be dominant and fast. I still have the memory of LaMichael James taking a zone-read handoff in the backfield and defensive end Barkevious Mingo running him down from the backside. That set the tone for this defense, and that is the statement this flashy defensive line loves to portray. LSU is second in the SEC in sacks with 19, and it seems like they are always in the backfield every other play. Along with Mingo, Sam Montgomery has played very well also. The Tigers obviously haven’t played an offensive line as good as Alabama’s yet, but I give the edge to the LSU defensive line right now.
Linebackers – Edge Alabama
One player who has played out of his mind this season for Alabama is Courtney Upshaw. Upshaw is second in the SEC with 11.5 tackles for loss and sixth in the SEC in sacks with 4.5. Along with Upshaw, CJ Moseley and Dont’a Hightower are just as good at the second level. Hightower hits like a truck when he sets his sights on the ball carrier. These guys will physically punish you from the point of attack.
LSU has three experienced and very good linebackers as well. Ryan Baker, Karnell Hatcher and Stefoin Francois have played very well for John Chavis, particularly Baker. Baker is the vocal leader on this defensive unit.
But there is little doubt that Alabama’s linebackers are the best unit.
Defensive Backs – Push
The strongest position out of every position on the football field will be in the defensive backfield. From Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne to Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron, the defensive backfield for both teams will have enough talent on it to fill out an NFL roster.
Mathieu has played out of his mind this season, and Claiborne has played ever so steady for the Tigers. However, they have not outplayed Dre Kirkpatrick, Robert Lester or Mark Barron by any stretch of the imagination.
There will be several guys in both secondaries playing on Sundays over the course of the next couple of years.
Special Teams – Push
Kickers Drew Alleman (LSU) and Jeremy Shelley (Alabama) are interchangeable, and both have kicked their little hearts out this year.
LSU has the best punter statically in the SEC in Brad Wing – the guy is a stud, but Alabama has the advantage in returning punts with Marquis Maze.
Coaches – Edge Alabama
Both of these coaches recruit incredible talent, but this game will be settled on the field. While I’ll give Nick Saban the advantage in preparation and preparing for this LSU team, Les Miles is one of the best and gutsiest game day coaches in the country…and he’s usually right in his judgement.
With that being said, I’m going with Nick Saban as my coach of choice because he’s the only coach in the SEC to win two National Championships at two different programs. I would take Les Miles in a close second, though.
The coaches are very good and probably the best in the country, but this game will be settled on the field the way it should be among the top two programs in the country.
It should be a blast.
Dear NCAA, just for fun, let’s take the best players from these two teams and put them against similar teams from the other conferences. Wonder how the rest of the country would stack up then?
I think a combo of LSU-Bama would handle ANY all conference team.
An LSU/Bama hybrid team would DESTROY every team in the NCAA.
Alabama will win this game quite easily.
In your nitemares and dreams that Bama wins easily. I’d hate like hell to face the D of LSU on any given nite or day. Bama should be saying their prayers.
Hey Jon, who would you give the overall edge to? I think Alabama is more intimidating than LSU.
I’m very torn on this. I’ve been leaning Alabama all season because of Trent Richardson being the best offensive player on both teams, but I’ve really been liking how LSU approaches each game.
Interestingly, Jordan Jefferson could be the difference in this game. Going to be a heck of a ball game.
we could combine these 2 teams and make our on NFL team. we should should call them the southeastern maulers
You left out the biggest edge and it will be playing @Alabama. However the edge of coaching going to Bama?!?! I realize that Saban has his name and his paycheck, but he is not as good a Les. Les has a history of beating better teams. Saban has never done it. Not once.
Saban has won two National Championships…the guy knows how to prepare and coach in a big game. With that being said, Miles is also a big game coach. The edge only goes to Saban because of the Natty’s. JMO
If not for Saban recruits Les would not have a title, heck, he’s the only coach to lose TWO games in a season and still win a Natty!
Sayyyyyyyyyyyyyy whattttttttttttttttttttttttttttt? Satan’s recruits, give me a break. Nick Satan didn’t have a thing to do with recruiting this class. By far you need to do your homework. It’s a proven fact that some of these guys wanted to come to LSU because of the standards LSU set forth in their program and not to mention due to some of the past players involvement. Geesh Louise, Nick Satan’s recruits.
Y’all want the conferences best QB and nations best receivers on that team give Arkansas a call. :)
The Hogs had their chance against Bama and blew it… They’ll get another chance against LSU later this month… same result!
They are good, but I wouldn’t say best in the nation…
Arkansas?! hahahahaha
I didn’t say anything about the team as a whole. I’m a die hard Hog fan and I’ll admit to you Bama is the better team. But if the depth at receiver isn’t best in the country at Arkansas, where is it at?
Why?
Ole Miss and Vanderbilt seemed to keep the receivers in check.
Saban can only win if his players are bigger, stronger, faster. He hasn’t out coached anyone…he out recruits most. The team that doesn’t turn the ball over will win. 31-27 LSU on the final drive with the clock running out.
I would say you missed one important component when comparing special teams: LSU punt coverage. The Tigers have given up seven return yards the entire season. Not per game. The whole season!
Who ever loses just don’t cry about it on National TV like Tebow. I’m leaning ball control- time of possession advantage with Bama’a running game but would love to see an undefeated LSU still at Number 1 when the Hogs get a chance at em. Arkansas always has something special for LSU at the end of the season. The best teams don’t always win the Game. Happens every Saturday. Turn overs and special team play could be the deciding factor in this matchup. I expect a low scoring defensive ball game where mistakes will be the difference.
Prediction: 24-21 LSU over Bama
P.S. why are the two best games of this weekend between 4 top ten teams being scheduled at the same time? Thank goodness for picture in picture and DVR’s.
this game will be one for the ages a old fashion slobber nocker,this is southern football at its finest,a true rivalry GEAUX TIGERS, PREDICTION LSU 28-21
Before I say this I am in no way comparing State to Bama or Lsu. Now with that said State held LSU to 19 points so I don’t think this will be a high scoreing game. Don’t get me wrong ,it’s going to be the game of the year. Bama has a great team and LSU has a great team it’s gonna come down to who wants it more. My wife is a LSU fan so I have to pull in their favor cause I need a place to live.
I’ve changed my prediction on the score of the game, Alabama 38 LSU 17; ’nuff said!
neither offense will score more than 21 points and if you say different then you have never watched a game of football in your life. my prediction is 21-17 Bama over LSU