Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

LSU Tigers

Inside the Numbers: Can LSU run it at Alabama?

Brett Weisband

By Brett Weisband

Published:

After a week off, LSU returns to the field to take on the rival Alabama Crimson Tide. LSU, No. 16 in the College Football Playoff rankings, is looking to cause some chaos in the standings, both SEC and CFP, as they host the No. 5 Crimson Tide.

Here are some of the interesting numbers as these teams renew their spirited rivalry.

THE GOOD

  • 8.5. LSU’s defense has rounded into form the last few weeks, but they’ve been crushing opponents at home all season. The Tigers are only giving up 8.5 points per game in the five games they’ve played Tiger Stadium. While that number includes shutouts over two overmatched out-of-conference opponents, it also includes a combined 10 points allowed to Ole Miss and Kentucky. Alabama’s offense has been day and night at home and on the road, so John Chavis’ unit has to feel pretty good about its chances of slowing the Crimson Tide.
  • 66.7. Blake Sims has been very careful with the ball all season, throwing just 3 interceptions. However, two of them have come on the road, a number that could be much higher if not for multiple passes that hit defenders in the hands or chest against Arkansas and Mississippi. If LSU’s defense can replicate the way they harassed Bo Wallace into mistakes two weeks ago and take advantage more so than they did in that game, they could create some real problems for Sims.
  • 3. Les Miles, in his career at LSU, has only lost three night games in Death Valley. Now in his 10th season, the Mad Hatter is an astounding 46-3 in games that kick off when the sun goes. Miles clearly has great enjoyment for the raucous atmosphere in Tiger Stadium, and his teams feed off of that.

THE BAD

  • 78.1. Alabama leads the SEC in rush defense by a huge margin, allowing just 78.1 yards per game on the ground at an average of 2.7 yards per carry. That won’t deter Miles and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who have seen their rushing attack have great success against Florida (No. 2 in the SEC) and Ole Miss (No. 5) over the last month. Miles has said that he hopes to have some surprise in his offense, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if LSU still hands the ball off 50 or more times.
  • 47.2. As nice as the Tigers’ three-game win streak has been, with several dominant defensive performances, the imbalance of the offense could be an issue against Alabama. LSU has thrown the ball 53 times in the last three games against 156 runs, a 3-to-1 ratio. They’re also only completing 47.2 percent of those passes. Yes, Anthony Jennings has a knack for connecting on timely passes, but this Alabama defense is bigger and more physical than any the Tigers have faced and have the ability to force them to throw.
  • 3. LSU has dropped three straight to the Crimson Tide, including two regular season games and the 2011 BCS championship game, with the latter still stinging Tigers fans. Only a small handful of players on the LSU roster know what it’s like to beat Alabama, something they’ll be looking to remedy.
Brett Weisband

A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.

You might also like...

2025 RANKINGS

presented by rankings

Read our Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Cookie Policy and

© 2025 Saturday Down South. All rights reserved

We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. We support responsible gambling. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). global.footer.legal