Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Louisiana State Tigers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 9th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Both No. 11 Alabama and No. 15 LSU are vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff, despite each having suffered two losses this season.

The outcome of their game on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La., will greatly impact their chances for postseason success. The team that emerges victorious will bolster their resume, while the losing team may have to adjust their goals for the rest of the season.

LSU coach Brian Kelly addressed the national discussion surrounding the game, stating that every matchup in the SEC is essentially an elimination game. With five teams currently holding just one loss in conference play, the stakes are high for both the Tigers and the Crimson Tide.

The Tigers (6-2, 3-1 SEC) are one of the five teams with just one loss in the SEC. In their most recent game, they suffered a 38-23 defeat to Texas A&M, the only other undefeated team in conference play at the time. However, the Aggies' loss to South Carolina last week has created a tight race for the top spot in the SEC.

LSU held a 17-7 lead over Texas A&M at halftime, but struggled in the second half. They were unable to establish a strong running game, with only 24 yards on 23 carries, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw three interceptions.

Coach Kelly emphasized the need for balance in the offense, with better blocking and support from all players, not just Nussmeier.

On the other side, Alabama (6-2, 3-2) has also faced struggles on the road under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer. They suffered losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, and are coming off a bye week heading into the game against LSU.

DeBoer stressed the importance of starting strong on the road, something the team has struggled with in their past two away games.

Both teams are aware that they have little room for error, especially with the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this season. But despite the pressure, DeBoer is confident in his team's potential and their determination to make the most of this season.

With a mix of experienced leaders and rising young players, DeBoer believes the Tide are in a good position heading into the game against LSU.

PREDICTION

Alabama Crimson Tide

Louisiana State Tigers

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Louisiana State Tigers Recap DEC 5TH 2020

Alabama's defense got off to a bad start this season.

So did LSU's.

The Crimson Tide's defense is getting better.

The Tigers' isn't.

Alabama, just elevated to the nation's No. 1 ranking, is scheduled to visit LSU Saturday night, though COVID-19 issues in the Tigers program raised the possibility that the game could be postponed.

For now the Tide (6-0, 6-0 Southeastern Conference) and the Tigers (2-3, 2-) are preparing for one of the league's annual marquee games.

"The LSU game is always a big game," said Alabama coach Nick Saban, who was Tigers' head coach from 2000-04. "It has turned into a rivalry game because of the success of the two programs. I don't think that's any different this season regardless of records."

After allowing an average of 30.3 points through their first three games, the Crimson Tide have allowed an average of 13.7 in their past three contests.

"I think we've progressed a lot throughout this year," Saban said. "We continue to try to make progress. It will be important for us to stop the run so we can create some positive down-and-distance situations for ourselves."

In their three losses, the Tigers allowed 44, 45 and 48 points. In the most recent game, two weeks ago, LSU held Auburn scoreless for the first quarter before losing 48-11, their most-lopsided loss ever to Auburn and their biggest margin of defeat in any game since 1996.

"We've got to play better defense," LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. "We haven't played good defense most of the year. We worked on that hard (last week). I think we got some things solidified. We still got a ways to go with others."

LSU quarterback Myles Brennan, who hasn't played since sustaining an abdominal injury on Oct. 10 in a loss at Missouri, will not be available this week. Orgeron said the Tigers are considering not playing Brennan again this season.

Two freshmen -- TJ Finley and Max Johnson -- have played in Brennan's absence. Reportedly Johnson is currently unavailable due to COVID-19 considerations.

Orgeron wouldn't address any specific coronavirus cases, but he did say the Tigers are "very thin" at the quarterback position. If Johnson were to be unavailable, that would leave Finley as the only scholarship quarterback available.

Both Alabama and LSU had an open date last week and the players on both teams had free time.

Saban said the Tide players were allowed to leave campus, but with restrictions.

"I really didn't want them to go anywhere and leave their bubble," Saban said, "but I didn't have the heart to tell them that they couldn't go home and see their families. So the one place where our players were allowed to go was home. That was it. If you weren't going home, you needed to stay here and be in the bubble."

Several unidentified LSU players tested positive for COVID-19 last week and others are involved in coronavirus protocols.

"There are starters among them," Orgeron said. "We're worried about the guys that are sick and their safety, there's no question. But the numbers are high with the quarantine. And that's where you get into some low numbers -- you put the COVID plus the quarantine."