LSU and Alabama have been known for their toe-to-toe, heavyweight battles in the trenches.

But this year will be different.

The Tigers will bring a new offense under first-year coordinator Matt Canada into Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night. It’s more finesse than rock ’em, sock ’em.

“One of the reasons I hired Matt is because all the shifts and formations and stuff that I would think would give Alabama problems,” coach Ed Orgeron said. “I think he’s done a tremendous job for us this year.

“Obviously he spent all week last week (an open date) on his game plan. Obviously when he watches the film, he sees what he can do and what he can’t do.”

It remains to be seen what Canada’s offense will be able to do. The Tigers have lost six straight in the series.

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In the past three seasons, LSU tried to run at the Crimson Tide with Leonard Fournette, one of the most productive running backs in school history. Fournette averaged fewer than 50 yards per game and managed just one touchdown total.

On Saturday, Derrius Guice will take a shot at the Alabama defense, which shut out the Tigers last season.

“It all starts with blocking those guys up front,” Orgeron said. “I mean, you can have the best play called in the world, but if you can’t block those guys up front, it’s not going to work.”

The Tigers have a young offensive line that has been inconsistent this season. Freshman Ed Ingram has been the starting right guard. Another freshman, Saahdiq Charles has started at left tackle while K.J. Malone has been injured. Malone is questionable for Saturday.

“I think protection is going to be key for us,” Orgeron said. “Be able to run the ball in spots, be able to throw the ball and move the ball. Obviously scoring points against these guys is very tough.”

Danny Etling has faced a strong pass rush virtually every week and he was sacked three times by Ole Miss in the Tigers’ last game two weeks ago.

“We’re going to have to protect Danny. That’s going to be the key in the game,” Orgeron said. “I think the whole key to Alabama is protecting the quarterback. If you can protect the quarterback, you got a chance. We can’t let them get their cleats in the grass, get in the pass-rush mode. They become very tough.

“Got to protect Danny, find some spots to throw the football. Danny has to be very, very patient. He has to make the right throws, the right decisions in a big game. This is his test. He knows it. But we got to protect him.”

Orgeron said Ingram (6-4, 314 pounds) and Charles (6-5, 321) have the physicality that he’s looking for in linemen, but the Tigers need to find more like them in recruiting.

“We’re a little ways away,” he said. “Now, you look at Saahdiq Charles and Ed Ingram. Those guys coming in starting as freshmen can be the type of offensive linemen that we need. I love all our guys, OK? But those are physical guys, have the physical stature that it takes to be able to block these guys. Are they ready to block these guys as freshmen? It’s pretty hard. We need to continue getting guys like that.”

The LSU defensive front has something catching up to do as well.

“The difference in their football team is the offensive line,” Orgeron said of the Tide. “The offensive line is very well-coached. They’re big, they’re strong, they’re physical. Typical Alabama team.

“On defense we need to continue to recruit better, get bigger and faster on the line of scrimmage. This is a big man’s game. This is where the game is won.”