CFN: LSU vs Alabama Prediction Game Preview

[Saban4Ever]

I think the Bye week is really going to pay off for us as far as improvement. I have faith that the adjustments will be made for us to turn the corner and spank LSU. This should shoot us at least 2 spots!

I hope you are right. I wish LSU"s bye week was not at the same time as ours though. lol. They always seem to bring something on offense or defense that the Bama coaches haven't seen before. I would hate for LSU to win 2 years in a row, with Brian Kelly. I'll take a 1 point win, but hope we win by a lot more! I kind of wish it was a 3:30pm game.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

I hope you are right. I wish LSU"s bye week was not at the same time as ours though. lol. They always seem to bring something on offense or defense that the Bama coaches haven't seen before. I would hate for LSU to win 2 years in a row, with Brian Kelly. I'll take a 1 point win, but hope we win by a lot more! I kind of wish it was a 3:30pm game.

I find it hard to believe that they have the time to throw anything new at us because they are still trying to improve on the original product. That secondary needs some major fixing for LSU.

 

[PA Tide Fan]

A really good score prediction IMO. I think JessN's breakdown will probably be 4-4 with LSU having all advantages on offense while Bama has advantages on defense and special teams. Just like with Tennessee though this is a revenge game played at Tuscaloosa and a lot more important for us because we're still in the NC hunt while LSU has the two losses. I think we come out on top.

 

[We_are_Bama]

I hope this leads to an SEC Shorts that doesn't age well. Meaning...Bama and it won't be close. If all the pieces comes together, sort of like the 2009 SEC Championship Game....we could win by 24 plus.

 

[AWRTR]

I find it hard to believe that they have the time to throw anything new at us because they are still trying to improve on the original product. That secondary needs some major fixing for LSU.

I expect the wrinkles to come from the offense. If I was the defensive staff I would just blitz all game and hope I get home enough to kill some drives.

 

[mlh]

I think the first team to 30 wins.

I also think this game will be decided by turnovers. The team that has the fewest will come away with the W.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I hope this leads to an SEC Shorts that doesn't age well. Meaning...Bama and it won't be close. If all the pieces comes together, sort of like the 2009 SEC Championship Game....we could win by 24 plus.

I think it's likely be a close-ish game. I can see it going either way, though I do give Bama the edge. That said, I don't see any way LSU blows Bama off the field, and while I think the chances Bama drums LSU are low, I can see a game where the Bama D clamps down on the LSU O enough that the LSU D is hurting by halftime.

 

[davefrat]

Bama 28 LSU 17

If it was a PG defense I would give the dogs 30, but it's not. I think we are gelling!

I don’t see us holding them to 17, but I hope you’re right.

 

[We_are_Bama]

I think it's likely be a close-ish game. I can see it going either way, though I do give Bama the edge. That said, I don't see any way LSU blows Bama off the field, and while I think the chances Bama drums LSU are low, I can see a game where the Bama D clamps down on the LSU O enough that the LSU D is hurting by halftime.

I'm taking my Omega 3s getting the ticker ready. I had a dream that we did a 92 Miami game on em complete with ripping the ball right out of Daniels' hands and everything. It was a sweet dream. But then I woke up and realized.... it's probably gonna be a lower scoring version of 2013 Texas A&M. Or Lord forbid 2020 Ole Miss

 

[LostnVAbamafan]

Hello fellow Bama fans, I stumbled upon your forum and was so impressed I felt compelled to join (hasn’t been my normal reaction to join forums). I’m a long time fan of Alabama football, been a staunch fan since the mid-70s…..yeah I’m old, but that’s my problem not yours! I’m a “born and raised” Alabamian, (northeast near Huntsville, Sand Mt) but landed in Northern Virginia after retiring from the army, so that’s my history in a nutshell……

ok, here’s my assessment on Saturdays game. LSU fans are all over the map, similar to where we’ve been this season. (Yes I trolled their forums) We’ve all been spoiled with teams of the past, and we now have a team that’s not performed to the standard we’ve grown accustomed to, however we only have one loss, they have two.

They and we know LSU D is sub par, their secondary is decimated and will have untested freshman starting, for that reason alone I predict a major shift in how this game plan develops. Saban and staff will exploit the hell out of this, look for our WRs and TEs to have a banner game.

I anticipate Milroe will have his best game to date, to include our WRs, RBs and STs. I’m not a stats geek, I make this prediction based on a pure observer prospective of human nature and the sport of competition…..this is one you can toss out the stats, it’ll be won based on a couple factors;

1. The culture, expectation, and anticipation is a shot at the Natty, and Bama will have to use this game as a statement not only to the CFP Selection Committee but to all the naysayers as well. For this reason, you’ll see a deep dive into intestinal fortitude and effort from the coaching staff down to the lowest bench warmer on the depth chart. Expect a fired up and ready Bama team unlike what we’ve experienced to date this season.

2. Take a hard look at the schedule of all the current top 4 teams, and honestly assess those against the schedule Bama has, and ask yourself how competitive those top 4 would be facing Bama? Yes we have to win out, yes we have to beat UG in December, but I’m confident Bama can run the gauntlet, this game Saturday is standing in our way of bringing that to fruition….trust in the team, Saban, and coaching staff, they know this and will develop the appropriate game plan to exploit LSUs weak areas, keep their offense on the sidelines, and beat them in the trenches.

In summary, I have no answer as to why we lost to TX, but after a shaky start it does seem this team is progressing each week and that’s what you want to see at this point in the season. I‘m confident we’ll win by double digits, play a well disciplined game, and take Daniels out of the Heisman Trophy conversation! Nuf said!

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Keys to the game from a Bama perspective IMO

1. Redzone defense. LSU was really successful vs FSU in the first half when it came to moving the ball but 2 4th down stops in the redzone were key. I think our defense needs to be in bend don't break mode.

2. Run the ball. We're going to need to throw in this game but the easiest version of this game for Bama is one were we control the clock and keep LSUs offense off the field.

3. Rush integrity. I'm not saying mush rush but staying in your rush lanes. Can't have Daniels running all over the place.

4. Protect Milroe when we do need to throw. We cannot afford 3 and outs or quick possessions. That means no big negative plays i.e. sacks.

5. Score early. We want LSU to feel pressed on offense. Need them to feel the pressure to score. If we control the clock and get up early it will frustrate their offense and Daniels. Hopefully it'll lead to a turnover or 2 and some negative plays.

 

[GrayTide]

Not sure who wins this game, but will say the winner will have to play a full 60 minutes, eliminate drive killing penalties, and avoid turnovers. Outside of that I've got nothing else.

 

[LSUgrad2BamaDad]

I’ll give you some insight into our offense.

Daniels is much improved this year with the deep ball and trusting his athletes. Last year the knock on him was he played scared. He knows he can run, but that has its limits too. It helps that once again, LSU has a dynamic duo at WR. First it was OBJ and Jarvis Landry, then Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson - now the guys are Malik Nabors and Brian Thomas, Jr. The former is being considered a sure fire 1st rounder and the latter is finally garnering attention after leading the nation in TDs for much of the year. K Lacy as the number 3 is fast but has had too many untimely drops.

TE is always a staple in BKs schemes. We have true soph Mason Taylor leading that group. You may recall he is the son of Miami Dolphins HOFer Jason Taylor. Oh, and he caught the 2pt conversion in OT last year. Behind him are skilled but raw freshmen.

The OL is the heart of the offense. Major question mark last year turned top tier SEC unit now. Starting true sophs at tackle and a back up freshman tackle that has played a lot. They have at least 8 they can rely on with some playing multiple positions.

The biggest change in the offense from the FSU game is the emergence of Logan Diggs at RB. He is a Nola kid who wasn’t recruited by the prior staff and went to ND. He wanted to follow BK last year, but stayed back to progress to his ND degree. our third team captain Josh Williams, former walk on, has been relegated to about 7-10 snaps per game. We also have a bruising freshman, Kaleb Jackson. Former 5* John Emery is back for his 5th season. Has all the ability, just can’t seem to break out. He had some nice plays in the game last year.

 

[UAH]

i'm going with our d and steel doing a repeat of our leonard four net yards performance from a few years back and we pretty much shut down their offense

We would all love to see that!

 

[UAH]

Hello fellow Bama fans, I stumbled upon your forum and was so impressed I felt compelled to join (hasn’t been my normal reaction to join forums). I’m a long time fan of Alabama football, been a staunch fan since the mid-70s…..yeah I’m old, but that’s my problem not yours! I’m a “born and raised” Alabamian, (northeast near Huntsville, Sand Mt) but landed in Northern Virginia after retiring from the army, so that’s my history in a nutshell……

ok, here’s my assessment on Saturdays game. LSU fans are all over the map, similar to where we’ve been this season. (Yes I trolled their forums) We’ve all been spoiled with teams of the past, and we now have a team that’s not performed to the standard we’ve grown accustomed to, however we only have one loss, they have two.

They and we know LSU D is sub par, their secondary is decimated and will have untested freshman starting, for that reason alone I predict a major shift in how this game plan develops. Saban and staff will exploit the hell out of this, look for our WRs and TEs to have a banner game.

I anticipate Milroe will have his best game to date, to include our WRs, RBs and STs. I’m not a stats geek, I make this prediction based on a pure observer prospective of human nature and the sport of competition…..this is one you can toss out the stats, it’ll be won based on a couple factors;

1. The culture, expectation, and anticipation is a shot at the Natty, and Bama will have to use this game as a statement not only to the CFP Selection Committee but to all the naysayers as well. For this reason, you’ll see a deep dive into intestinal fortitude and effort from the coaching staff down to the lowest bench warmer on the depth chart. Expect a fired up and ready Bama team unlike what we’ve experienced to date this season.

2. Take a hard look at the schedule of all the current top 4 teams, and honestly assess those against the schedule Bama has, and ask yourself how competitive those top 4 would be facing Bama? Yes we have to win out, yes we have to beat UG in December, but I’m confident Bama can run the gauntlet, this game Saturday is standing in our way of bringing that to fruition….trust in the team, Saban, and coaching staff, they know this and will develop the appropriate game plan to exploit LSUs weak areas, keep their offense on the sidelines, and beat them in the trenches.

In summary, I have no answer as to why we lost to TX, but after a shaky start it does seem this team is progressing each week and that’s what you want to see at this point in the season. I‘m confident we’ll win by double digits, play a well disciplined game, and take Daniels out of the Heisman Trophy conversation! Nuf said!

Completely agree with you that all of the teams in the top 5-6 would select Bama as the team they would least like to face in the play offs.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

When someone said LSU is depleted at Secondary, they didn't mention how bad it was. Look at the chart posted, those are true freshmen that played this season. Now look at CB/Safeties. Now, they can be real good, or they can struggle.... hard to tell right now. They've had two weeks to prepare for Alabama, and honestly, if I was Rees I would expect LSU to hide their secondary issues by playing zone coverage a lot, and that should open the door for Bama to run the ball well. I don't think LSU can afford to have their man spy Milroe and if they do, They'll move Perkins all over the line to alleviate their issues and hope he create enough problems for Bama OL to keep Bama from exposing LSU issues. Whatever Perkins is lined up, change the play to run the opposite direction.

If MIlroe can calm down on opening drive and hit a deep ball to make a statement, force LSU to respect the throwing, we can stress their defense to the point where they're making mistakes and they will.

 

[crimsonaudio]

When someone said LSU is depleted at Secondary, they didn't mention how bad it was. Look at the chart posted, those are true freshmen that played this season. Now look at CB/Safeties. Now, they can be real good, or they can struggle.... hard to tell right now. They've had two weeks to prepare for Alabama, and honestly, if I was Rees I would expect LSU to hide their secondary issues by playing zone coverage a lot, and that should open the door for Bama to run the ball well. I don't think LSU can afford to have their man spy Milroe and if they do, They'll move Perkins all over the line to alleviate their issues and hope he create enough problems for Bama OL to keep Bama from exposing LSU issues. Whatever Perkins is lined up, change the play to run the opposite direction.

I'm no FB guru but I'd think man coverage (assuming safety help) would be easier for young guys to handle than even a simple zone.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

I'm no FB guru but I'd think man coverage (assuming safety help) would be easier for young guys to handle than even a simple zone.

with freshmen?

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

I'm no FB guru but I'd think man coverage (assuming safety help) would be easier for young guys to handle than even a simple zone.

I think LSU basically has 2 options with their injuries and issues in the secondary. Though I know nothing about what they traditionally run.

They could play a lot of zone, keep everything in front of them and try to make Milroe throw short/intermediate and slowly work our way down the field. But that only works if they can stop our running game (which hasn't been up to par for most of the season). Basically don't let Milroe beat them deep. And like you said zone can be more complicated generally and requires discipline young/inexperienced guys might not have.

Option 2 would be to blitz the heck out of us especially on the left side and see if they can simply not give Milroe any time to throw it deep. This would lead to a lot more man. Its generally more simple you just try and guard your guy.

I'm not 100% sure what they will do but I'd assume they'd blitz a lot. Their run defense has been horrid and our running game seemed to find its grove a bit vs Tennessee. I mean, Grambling had a 100 yard rusher against them on only 7 carries.

 

[crimsonaudio]

with freshmen?

Yes, because "chase that man' seems a lot simpler than knowing coverage assignments based on areas of the field. I played LB and (eventually) DL so I've no experience in the back half, but it always seemed man coverage was simplest mentally, just required physical ability, which I assume LSU frosh have.