In the ultimate clash of SEC West heavyweights, the Alabama-LSU game also presents perhaps the most intriguing coaching matchup the league has to offer.
Nick Saban and Les Miles have accounted for a combined five national championships, and their programs are consistently ranked among the nation’s elite. But it is not just about the head coaches because the LSU and Alabama staffs are littered with assistant coaches that are former and future head coaches.
So while we wait for Saturday’s highly anticipated game, let’s take a look at what each team will bring to the field with its coaching staffs, and what their line of thinking might be for this game:
HEAD COACHES
Nick Saban, Alabama: As the architect of four BCS national championship teams, including three at Alabama, Saban has earned his reputation as one of the best coaches in college football history. His other national championship was earned as head coach at LSU, which always adds a little bit of spice to the matchup with his former team. Saban has the Crimson Tide in position to once again contend for an SEC championship, but a loss in this game all but eliminates Alabama from contention, so the margin of error is razor thin.
Les Miles, LSU: Miles carries a sterling 7-0 record and a reputation for coming up with big calls in the most dramatic of moments into this game. While the Tigers control their own destiny for the SEC West title, Miles is the coach that likely feels the pressure to win in this series after losing the last four games in this meeting. In total, Miles holds a 3-6 record against Nick Saban-coached Alabama teams.
OFFENSIVE STAFFS
Alabama coordinator: Lane Kiffin (QB)
His staff: Burton Burns (RB), Mario Cristobal (OL), Billy Napier (WR), Bobby Williams (TE/ST)
When Alabama has the ball: Derrick Henry has become the focal point of the Crimson Tide offense in recent weeks, carrying the ball 113 times during the past four games. Given that number, and the fact that Alabama is 4-0 during that stretch, means we should look for there to be plenty of Henry in the gameplan for Saturday. But if the Crimson Tide is going to win, it will need to both diversify its running attack with better use of Kenyan Drake and rely on Jacob Coker to make some plays down the field.
LSU coordinator: Cam Cameron (QB)
His staff: Frank Wilson (RB), Jeff Grimes (OL), Tony Ball (WR), Steve Ensminger (TE)
When LSU has the ball: It is hardly a secret that this offense lives and dies by the effectiveness of RB Leonard Fournette. The sophomore leads the nation in rushing yards and is second in rushing touchdowns, and has carried the ball no fewer than 19 times in any game this season. So we can pencil in somewhere between 20 and 30 carries for Fournette, and Tigers fans will hope that QB Brandon Harris continues to have success finding WR Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre to keep the Alabama defense honest.
DEFENSIVE STAFFS
Alabama coordinator: Kirby Smart (LB)
His staff: Bo Davis (DL), Mel Tucker (DB), Tosh Lupoi (OLB)
When LSU has the ball: Alabama possesses one of the best rush defenses in the nation, which is good, because they know they will face a heavy dose of RB Leonard Fournette on Saturday. The game plan for Kirby Smart’s squad will likely be to emphasize stopping the run on early downs, which will put the Tigers in the position of being forced to throw the football to keep drives alive.
LSU coordinator: Kevin Steele
His staff: Ed Orgeron (DL), Bradley Dale Peveto (LB/ST), Corey Raymond (DB)
When Alabama has the ball: Much like his counterpart is likely to try to force Brandon Harris to beat him, so too will Kevin Steele try to force Coker into winning this game for Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s loss to Ole Miss was accompanied by five turnovers, three of which came via interception as Alabama was forced into predictable passing situations. That’s the road map for beating the Crimson Tide.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
