What makes LSU so tough...and how do you beat them?

[TideMan09]

I think we go with the same game-plan we used in the 1st game..We moved the ball on them..But left a few points on the field..You just don't do against teams like Bama & LSU..We just need to execute & score on every opportunity we get..

 

[MattinBama]

I honestly don't see how Alabama can win this next game against LSU. In September I thought Bama would win the SEC and NC this year. But by the time the LSU game came up I could not pick a winner in that game. And now that I've seen what LSU did to a greatly improved Arkansas team and then a read hot Georgia team which showcased so many play makers I just don't think Alabama matches up well.

So how do you beat LSU? There weakness the past 4 years has been the QB position. That is what you attack. But the problem is all other positions are loaded with playmakers and depth. Can Bama beat LSU? Sure they can, it's college football.
But when you look at the team LSU has they don't ever beat themselves. Just look at their kicking game. That Australian punter is the best punter in college football but is not being selected as the best because the current system does not measure all the things he brings to his punting game. The guy can put the football anywhere on the field. LSU has only had 6 return yards all year long against their punting game. How insane is that? And they don't miss FG's. If Alabama can not turn the ball over it will keep the game close. It will then become Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy against LSU's 4 or 5 running backs, 8 to 10 legs against 4 for 60 minutes.

In any event I'm looking forward to the game, should be epic! Good luck to you guys!

Alabama already would have beaten them if not for taking FG's from too far out & a bad call by the refs. Funny that suddenly you don't see how we can beat them. They beat a "hot" Georgia team that didn't have to face any of the big 3 from the West during the regular season.

Alabama and LSU are evenly matched and that even shows in the scores against common opponents (they're almost identical in many ways). Your posts reads like we would be lucky to pull out the win when we dominated them in the first game in everything but the score.

 

[SimplyTide]

Cade needs to get behind the ball and eat his Wheaties before this game. :biggrin2:

Most Bama fans have forgotten what Cade did for us last year. He was 2/2 on short FGs and 5/6 on FGs between 40-49 yards. He was 0/1 on FG attempts 50 yards or longer. Yeah, he only attempted one.

This season, he was 1/1 on FG attempts from 40-49 yards going into the LSU game. Against LSU, he was 1/2 on FG attempts in his range (inside of 50 yards). However, the miss of the 2 FGs beyond 50 yards killed his confidence and he has missed both FGs within his range since.

His stats before the LSU game - 6/7 on FGs between 40-49 yards with a long of 49 yards. Pretty darn solid, if you ask me. With Shelley almost automatic inside 40 yards (16 of 18 this year), we had one of the most reliable kicking tandems in college football - until Cade was asked to do too much against LSU.

Cade is a very solid kicker - his stats prove that out. But he needs to get his confidence back for this game, and the fans are not helping with their focus only on his failures. When he is confident, he is almost automatic from 49 yards in. That is more than most teams dream of.

 

[JIB]

Here's what you do: do exactly what Alabama did the first time but make half your field goals instead of only a third. Bingo! Game over.

 

[Dallas4Bama]

I also think it would help if we ran more a rotation of Richardson, Lacey AND Fowler between the tackles of the LSU defense. Fowler is a HOSS to bring down and continuing to feed all three of these big backs on a frequent basis will wear down the LSU DL A LOT faster.

Buzz the injury situation will help that a lot. Eddie's toe should be much better and the O-line should be healthy and ready to push some people around. The formula to wear them down should be pretty simple if you ask me, Trent, Trent, Trent, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, Jalston, Jalston, Jalston between the tackles. Repeat over and over.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Most Bama fans have forgotten what Cade did for us last year. He was 2/2 on short FGs and 5/6 on FGs between 40-49 yards. He was 0/1 on FG attempts 50 yards or longer. Yeah, he only attempted one.

This season, he was 1/1 on FG attempts from 40-49 yards going into the LSU game. Against LSU, he was 1/2 on FG attempts in his range (inside of 50 yards). However, the miss of the 2 FGs beyond 50 yards killed his confidence and he has missed both FGs within his range since.

His stats before the LSU game - 6/7 on FGs between 40-49 yards with a long of 49 yards. Pretty darn solid, if you ask me. With Shelley almost automatic inside 40 yards (16 of 18 this year), we had one of the most reliable kicking tandems in college football - until Cade was asked to do too much against LSU.

Cade is a very solid kicker - his stats prove that out. But he needs to get his confidence back for this game, and the fans are not helping with their focus only on his failures. When he is confident, he is almost automatic from 49 yards in. That is more than most teams dream of.

I agree. But unfortunately in big time college football what you do in "regular games" is quickly forgotten when you don't do it on the big stage. And that game November 5th was "The Big Stage". I think he'll learn A LOT from that game and don't be surprised if he's not lined up in the last three seconds of the BCSNG with an opportunity to win the game for the Tide and redeem himself. Football is funny about things like that.

 

[TexasRed]

We really just left a lot of points of the field in that November game, which i hope we won't do in the next game. As far as game strategy goes I think that you just keep going with what works. I know a lot of people want to look at the Reid int of Williams at the 1 yard line as the difference maker, but in my opinion we should have just kept handing it to Trent. We were gouging them with Trent, had a first and ten at their 25, and decided to get a little too cute.

If we play solid football and don't make stupid mistakes and bad decisions I think we win.

 

[Nolan]

Watch the 1st half tape of the SECCG over and over. UGA held them to something like 15 yards??? Jefferson had a look like I hadn't seen him have all year. He was flat out LOST.

Yes, for sure. I think our staff will pay close attention to the way UGA attacked AND the adjustments LSU made later in the game.

I honestly don't see how Alabama can win this next game against LSU. In September I thought Bama would win the SEC and NC this year. But by the time the LSU game came up I could not pick a winner in that game. And now that I've seen what LSU did to a greatly improved Arkansas team and then a read hot Georgia team which showcased so many play makers I just don't think Alabama matches up well.

Sure, this is coming from an Alabama fan, but I would say we match up as well as any team can in college football. There is certainly a desparity in special teams, though. It's almost a push all the way around between offense and defense. Who will make the best adjustments throughout the game? Who will capitalize on turnovers and short field opportunities?

 

[theBIGyowski]

As incredible as our defense is...

I don't think there is any team that blitzes more effectively than LSU. They blitzed us almost flawlessly when we played in November and it is part of what led to us having so many negative plays each time we were in scoring position. I think that if we can take advantage of their over-pursuit...we will force them to sit back more and that opens up the 4-7 yard runs by Richardson every down.

I honestly believe that will be the key to victory for us. UGA was able to take advantage of this in the first half...they were just too scared to finish each play. WE ARE NOT SCARED.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Overall I think Bama just needs to do what they do best and if LSU stops us and beats us then so be it. I'd hate to know that we lost trying to get cute and doing things we're not used to doing. That would suck bigtime.

 

[SimplyTide]

I agree. But unfortunately in big time college football what you do in "regular games" is quickly forgotten when you don't do it on the big stage. And that game November 5th was "The Big Stage". I think he'll learn A LOT from that game and don't be surprised if he's not lined up in the last three seconds of the BCSNG with an opportunity to win the game for the Tide and redeem himself. Football is funny about things like that.

That's my point - on the "big stage" he was 1/2 on FG attempts within his range, making a 46 yarder. He did just fine.

Going into that game, Cade had NEVER made an attempt of 50 yards or more for Bama. NEVER. But we were so desperate for points that we asked him to do what he had already proven that he could not - one of the two 50+ yard attempts being an absurd attempt in OT because of failures in other areas. JMHO, but that isn't on Cade. But the fans have placed it on him, and his confidence has crumbled since.

Shelley is only good up to 40 yards. We are going to need the old Cade back in this game.

 

[Dallas4Bama]

Most Bama fans have forgotten what Cade did for us last year. He was 2/2 on short FGs and 5/6 on FGs between 40-49 yards. He was 0/1 on FG attempts 50 yards or longer. Yeah, he only attempted one.

This season, he was 1/1 on FG attempts from 40-49 yards going into the LSU game. Against LSU, he was 1/2 on FG attempts in his range (inside of 50 yards). However, the miss of the 2 FGs beyond 50 yards killed his confidence and he has missed both FGs within his range since.

His stats before the LSU game - 6/7 on FGs between 40-49 yards with a long of 49 yards. Pretty darn solid, if you ask me. With Shelley almost automatic inside 40 yards (16 of 18 this year), we had one of the most reliable kicking tandems in college football - until Cade was asked to do too much against LSU.

Cade is a very solid kicker - his stats prove that out. But he needs to get his confidence back for this game, and the fans are not helping with their focus only on his failures. When he is confident, he is almost automatic from 49 yards in. That is more than most teams dream of.

I agree, a lot of fans have. You won't find me being critical of Cade for the misses. The kicks were outside his known range. It's equivalent to towing loaded gooseneck trailer behind a half ton truck. Sure it's built to tow things, sure it can do it on occasion, but it just isn't built to tow heavy load all the time.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

As incredible as our defense is...

I don't think there is any team that blitzes more effectively than LSU. They blitzed us almost flawlessly when we played in November and it is part of what led to us having so many negative plays each time we were in scoring position. I think that if we can take advantage of their over-pursuit...we will force them to sit back more and that opens up the 4-7 yard runs by Richardson every down.

I honestly believe that will be the key to victory for us. UGA was able to take advantage of this in the first half...they were just too scared to finish each play. WE ARE NOT SCARED.

That's when having a seasoned, veteran QB would have come in handy....ala Greg McElroy. Knowing when to get us out of one play and into another simply by pre-snap recognition. But AJ is just a first time starter and a sophomore at that. Tough to expect him to do that.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

That's my point - on the "big stage" he was 1/2 on FG attempts within his range, making a 46 yarder. He did just fine.

Going into that game, Cade had NEVER made an attempt of 50 yards or more for Bama. NEVER. But we were so desperate for points that we asked him to do what he had already proven that he could not - one of the two 50+ yard attempts being an absurd attempt in OT because of failures in other areas. JMHO, but that isn't on Cade. But the fans have placed it on him, and his confidence has crumbled since.Shelley is only good up to 40 yards. We are going to need the old Cade back in this game.

Then hopefully Cade can dig deep down within himself (like the great ones do) and keep pressing forward. I hate it for the kid and unjustly he's been shouldered more of the blame than need be, I agree. But welcome to life. It happens to us all from time to time. I got a feeling Cade will get a chance to show the world he's clutch.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

LSU O.
Keep JJ inside the hash marks. This is where he's most uncomfortable with decisions.

LSU D.
Game-plan to force their LBs to make plays in space all night long. Their front four can handle anybody including our front five. Their back four can cover our WRs one-on-one. Their LB are at a disadvantage against our RBs and TEs.

Special teams.
Best of luck. :biggrin2:
If it were me I'd not kick to them ever.
Get it in the teams head we will be playing with a long field and be patient. They would have a short field because I'd give up the 10-15yds per kick rather than risk a big return.

There will be no turnovers in this game other than on downs. Probably three fourth-down stops between the two teams.

$.02

 

[VandyRon]

My only issue I have with the argument "If Bama had made its FG's they would have won the game" is how LSU seems to respond to the other team scoring in their games. It seems if the other team scores they answer. Didn't LSU score a FG right after Bama did each time? So I don't think LSU necessarily calls the same plays if Bama makes it FG's in the first game. What I'm saying is that it's a different game if Bama makes it FG's and history shows LSU scores more points. What troubles me most about Bama is how they looked tired at the end of the game. If you look at their final 2 drives in regulation and what Bama did in OT compared to how fresh LSU looked I'm seeing an advantage LSU with their depth going into the final quarter and minutes of the game. Nick Saban letting the clock run out was kind of odd to me. All he had to do was take a few shots down the field and try another FG. Also, I think Les Miles will play the same type of game which seems to be, stay close, don't turn the ball over, wear down Bama and then win the game at the end.
If Bama can not turn the ball over and do the same to LSU they can win the game. But I'm not seeing that in the first game which is why LSU stayed close and won the game 9-6.

 

[BamaGreek]

Yes, I think you have hit on something here. We can beat them with our TEs and RBs. There were a lot of times in the last game where AJ went downfield with the pass to a WR that went incomplete when Trent was open in the middle of the field or in the flat. If Bama can consistently get the ball to Trent in space, he will make the yards.Smelley also has really come on in the last few games and should be a big part of the game plan.

 

[MattinBama]

My only issue I have with the argument "If Bama had made its FG's they would have won the game" is how LSU seems to respond to the other team scoring in their games. It seems if the other team scores they answer. Didn't LSU score a FG right after Bama did each time? So I don't think LSU necessarily calls the same plays if Bama makes it FG's in the first game. What I'm saying is that it's a different game if Bama makes it FG's and history shows LSU scores more points. What troubles me most about Bama is how they looked tired at the end of the game. If you look at their final 2 drives in regulation and what Bama did in OT compared to how fresh LSU looked I'm seeing an advantage LSU with their depth going into the final quarter and minutes of the game. Nick Saban letting the clock run out was kind of odd to me. All he had to do was take a few shots down the field and try another FG. Also, I think Les Miles will play the same type of game which seems to be, stay close, don't turn the ball over, wear down Bama and then win the game at the end.
If Bama can not turn the ball over and do the same to LSU they can win the game. But I'm not seeing that in the first game which is why LSU stayed close and won the game 9-6.

You've changed my mind. If we score they will only score even more. We stand no chance whatsoever and LSU should be given the title right now before we get embarrassed.

 

[RollinTider1335]

My only issue I have with the argument "If Bama had made its FG's they would have won the game" is how LSU seems to respond to the other team scoring in their games. It seems if the other team scores they answer. Didn't LSU score a FG right after Bama did each time? So I don't think LSU necessarily calls the same plays if Bama makes it FG's in the first game. What I'm saying is that it's a different game if Bama makes it FG's and history shows LSU scores more points. What troubles me most about Bama is how they looked tired at the end of the game. If you look at their final 2 drives in regulation and what Bama did in OT compared to how fresh LSU looked I'm seeing an advantage LSU with their depth going into the final quarter and minutes of the game. Nick Saban letting the clock run out was kind of odd to me. All he had to do was take a few shots down the field and try another FG. Also, I think Les Miles will play the same type of game which seems to be, stay close, don't turn the ball over, wear down Bama and then win the game at the end.
If Bama can not turn the ball over and do the same to LSU they can win the game. But I'm not seeing that in the first game which is why LSU stayed close and won the game 9-6.

Well you seem to have it all figured out.

Truth is you, or anybody, have no idea what to expect out of this game just like the last one. These are two great teams and gonna be one for the ages.

One aspect I haven't seen anyone bring up yet is, how many of the current Bama players were on the national championship team in 09?? I would consider that experience could be an advantage over LSU. Just sayin.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Nothing wrong with your assessement IMO. It is an objective view from another SEC outsider. All valid points. LSU has proven to be an opportunistic team that thrives when adversity hits.

I think we need to play to our strengths, not make the big mistake and let's see who wins. I know if it was me I'd utilize our TE's every chance I had to slow down the blitz. Smelley has shown a nack for slipping out and getting open on quick hitting passes, turning them upfield for good yardage.

My only issue I have with the argument "If Bama had made its FG's they would have won the game" is how LSU seems to respond to the other team scoring in their games. It seems if the other team scores they answer. Didn't LSU score a FG right after Bama did each time? So I don't think LSU necessarily calls the same plays if Bama makes it FG's in the first game. What I'm saying is that it's a different game if Bama makes it FG's and history shows LSU scores more points. What troubles me most about Bama is how they looked tired at the end of the game. If you look at their final 2 drives in regulation and what Bama did in OT compared to how fresh LSU looked I'm seeing an advantage LSU with their depth going into the final quarter and minutes of the game. Nick Saban letting the clock run out was kind of odd to me. All he had to do was take a few shots down the field and try another FG. Also, I think Les Miles will play the same type of game which seems to be, stay close, don't turn the ball over, wear down Bama and then win the game at the end.
If Bama can not turn the ball over and do the same to LSU they can win the game. But I'm not seeing that in the first game which is why LSU stayed close and won the game 9-6.