Alabama-LSU football: 10 bold predictions for the game of the year
By Les East
Published:
It’s the game of the year – so far.
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 3 LSU. In Tiger Stadium. In prime time.
Can the Tigers slow down the Crimson Tide’s high-scoring offense?
Can the Tigers score enough points to pull off the upset?
This will be Alabama’s biggest test so far, and probably its biggest until a potential spot in the SEC Championship Game. Can the Tide be beaten?
We’re about to find out just how good Alabama is, and the same goes for LSU.
Here are 10 bold predictions for Alabama-LSU:
1. It won’t be a shootout
Sure Alabama is scoring more than 50 points per game, but it hasn’t faced a defense like LSU’s.
The Crimson Tide won last year’s game 24-10. Two years ago, they won 10-0.
This one won’t be as low-scoring as either of those, but it won’t be a shootout. It will be hard-hitting, both teams mostly will have to drive a long way to get points, and the defenses will be even stingier in the red zone.
Thirty points should be enough to win it, but it might not take that many.
2. Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses will be the star linebackers
LSU’s Devin White is usually the marquee linebacker in any game involving the Tigers.
But the presence of the Tide’s Wilson and Moses, as well as the absence of White during the first half because of a suspension, will make them the marquee linebackers in this one.
3. Tua Tagovailoa will throw an interception
It has to happen sometime, right?
The Tide won’t be able to stay on or ahead of schedule as much as Tagovailoa is used to. He’ll face a stronger pass rush than he’s used to. And he won’t be playing with a big lead the way he usually does.
All of those things will force him to operate under the most duress he has faced this season, and somewhere along the way, someone from DBU will become the first defender to snare a Tagavailoa pass this season.
4. The Tide will lean more on the running game than the passing game
Tagavailoa and the passing game have been the biggest headline-makers this season, and they certainly will make some plays on the LSU defense.
But the majority of the 60 minutes (or more) will look like a traditional Alabama-LSU game, with both teams slugging it out at the line of scrimmage and trying to run the ball.
Florida rushed for 215 yards and Mississippi State had 201 on LSU, so the Tide should be able to get beyond 200, too. If they get to 300, the Tigers will be in deep trouble.
5. Jerry Jeudy will beat Greedy Williams
It will be a marquee matchup when the Tide’s leading receiver goes against one of the top cornerbacks in the country.
They likely won’t be matched all night long, but when they are, it will be a top-notch battle.
Both will have their moments, and one of Jeudy’s moments will be his 11th touchdown reception of the season.
6. LSU will have a placekicking edge
LSU’s Cole Tracy has missed 2 field goals (in 23 attempts) and is perfect in 24 extra-point attempts. Bama’s Joseph Bulovas and Austin Jones have missed 5 field goals (in 14 attempts) and 4 of 58 extra-point attempts.
Tracy will come through, but Bulovas will squander at least one scoring opportunity.
7. Joe Burrow will be hit and miss
He will be under pressure, and he’ll be asked to make plays as a runner as well as a passer. But he’ll also have playmaking opportunities, especially in the passing game.
He’ll be sacked multiple times and turn the ball over at least once.
But he’ll also make a few plays with his legs and hit a few big gainers through the air to balance things out and keep LSU in the game.
8. Grant Delpit will become a household name
If you’re an LSU fan, you know Delpit very well. If you’re an SEC fan, you’ve discovered him during his breakout season this year.
But this game attracts viewers that don’t necessarily follow the SEC closely, as well as casual college football fans in general.
Delpit will be Delpit, making plays against the run and pass, and a whole new group of viewers will discover just how good he is.
9. Devin White’s absence won’t matter much
Sure the Tigers wish White weren’t suspended for the first half, and the Tide are kind of happy he is.
But defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will scheme and mix in Patrick Queen and Micah Baskerville effectively enough to mitigate White’s absence. And White will be White when he gets in the game.
10. It’ll go to the wire
Come on, it’s LSU and Alabama in Tiger Stadium. Forget the fact that the Tide are favored by two touchdowns.
In the last three meetings in Tiger Stadium, Alabama rallied to score the winning touchdown in the final minute, Alabama won in overtime and Alabama won 10-0 in a game that was scoreless entering the fourth quarter.
This one will be decided late. Very late.
Les East is a New Orleans-based football writer who covers LSU for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @Les_East.
