It’s Bama Week.

LSU doesn’t circle the first Saturday in November on its calendar, because it doesn’t need to be reminded that that is when it faces the Crimson Tide every season.

This season the game is in Tuscaloosa, but that’s not a big deal because the road team often wins in this series. The Tigers did prevail in Baton Rouge last season, 32-31 in overtime, but before that 13 of their last 17 victories had come in Alabama.

This game is in prime time, which is a big deal because it’s a sign that the stakes are once again very high.

If No. 9 Bama wins it will strengthen its grip on the SEC West race. If No. 15 LSU wins it will be 1 Ole Miss loss away from taking control of its fate in the West.

It’s LSU and Alabama, and it’s going to be a heavyweight battle.

Here are 5 keys to taming the Tide:

1. Minimize big pass plays by Bama

LSU has the better offense. Bama’s offense has been inconsistent.

But Jalen Milroe is settling in as the Tide’s starting quarterback and is capable of big plays, especially when throwing to Jermaine Burton, who’s averaging more than 22 yards per reception and has 6 touchdown catches.

The Tigers figure to be the more effective offense at moving the ball consistently, but their defense has been susceptible to big plays. A few chunk plays by the Bama offense – most likely on Milroe-to-Burton completions – could be an equalizer.

2. Turn Harold Perkins loose

One of the keys to limiting those chunk plays will be for Harold Perkins to be disruptive, as a pass-rusher and otherwise.

He had a relatively slow start to the season, but the coaches have figured out how to put him in positions to perform in a manner befitting his preseason All-America status.

Perkins has been playing like an elite defender for the last month.

3. Take the ball away

Perkins has made several big plays on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage, but he’s also capable of making big plays in the offensive backfield. In fact, that’s how he made a name for himself last season.

If Perkins is able to sack Milroe or at least pressure him, and get to other ball carriers in the backfield, the Tigers can slow down the Tide offense and perhaps create turnovers.

LSU is tied for the SEC lead with 9 interceptions, and only 3 quarterbacks in the SEC have thrown more interceptions than Milroe’s 5.

The Tigers cornerbacks have played better of late, but the group is banged up.

4. Pound Logan Diggs

As dynamic as Jayden Daniels has been throwing the ball and running it, his job gets easier when LSU is able to run consistently with its backs. And Diggs has been their most effective one.

Diggs is a strong runner, and establishing his viability early in the game will enable Daniels to be more effective and keep the defense fresh.

The Tigers ran the ball well enough to be reasonably balanced in last season’s meeting, but Daniels had to out-rush all of the running backs combined. Diggs can give Bama more to worry about from the running back position.

5. Let Daniels win the game

He’s the best player in this game – if not the best player in the country.

Put the game in his hands as much as possible.

Running Diggs will help, and the defense and special teams will have to do their part.

But the biggest advantage LSU has is at the quarterback position.

The Tigers will have to deal with a Tide defense that is tied for the SEC lead with 29 sacks.

Daniels’ running can complement Diggs’ in a significant way – both by design and by ad-libbing. And Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Kyren Lacy and Mason Taylor are all capable of making big plays when Daniels puts the ball in their hands.

The Tide’s pass defense has been much stingier since allowing 349 yards to Texas, but Tennessee did throw for 271 in Bama’s last game and finished with 2 touchdown passes, just as Arkansas did a week earlier.

Daniels’ running and passing was a primary factor in LSU’s win last season, and he’ll have to have another very productive game if the Tigers are going to win again.