When No. 15 LSU takes on No. 1 Alabama on Saturday night, one key to the game will be how well the Tigers can keep Alabama DL Jonathan Allen out of the backfield.

Allen has been an absolute beast this season, and the responsibility of keeping him away from QB Danny Etling will largely fall on LT K.J. Malone.

The junior tackle told NOLA.com that he’s going to have to be fundamentally sound in order to slow down Allen, a Heisman hopeful:

“I’m going to have to get low on him,” Malone said. “If I get low and my hand placement is right I’ll be OK. He’s a tremendous athlete. I’m like ‘I didn’t know a big man could move like that.’ Seeing that it’s like, ‘We’re in the SEC.’ You expect that.”

But, Malone continued, he’ll be prepared for Allen on Saturday. After all, he said, he faces off against guys like DL Davon Godchaux in practice every day:

“I have all the respect for (Allen),” Malone said. “But I go against Godchaux every day. Him and Godchaux are similar, both big and physical. I’ll go against him in practice and get a feel for it.

“I’ve got to trust myself. I can’t go out there freaking out.”

Alabama and LSU will square off at 7 p.m. Central time on Saturday. The game can be seen on CBS.