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 NOV 9TH 2024

Jalen Milroe rushed for a career-high 185 yards and ran for four touchdowns as No. 11 Alabama never trailed in a 42-13 victory against No. 15 LSU in an Southeastern Conference showdown Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Milroe, who also passed for 109 yards, matched his best single-game rushing touchdown total and surpassed his previous rushing yardage high of 155, both of which came in a 42-28 victory against LSU last season. The Crimson Tide (7-2, 4-2 SEC) strengthened their College Football Playoff chances with their first conference road victory of the season.

Garrett Nussmeier passed for 239 yards and a touchdown, threw two interceptions and lost a fumble as the Tigers (6-3, 3-2) suffered a major blow to their already slim playoff hopes.

Alabama outgained LSU 420-343 overall and held a 311-104 advantage in rushing yards.

Trailing 21-6, the Tigers drove to the Crimson Tide 4-yard line on their first possession of the third quarter, but Deontae Lawson intercepted a Nussmeier pass in the end zone on second down. Alabama then drove 80 yards, the final 19 of which came on Milroe's third rushing touchdown.

The score held at 28-6 until the first play of the fourth quarter, when Milroe ran 72 yards for his final score. Richard Young added an 8-yard touchdown for the Crimson Tide with 2:07 left before Nussmeier threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyren Lacy with 11 seconds remaining.

Alabama opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game. The Crimson Tide received the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards, with Milroe running off the final 39 to make it 7-0 with 10:49 left in the first quarter. Milroe completed all three of his pass attempts for 38 yards on the drive.

Zavion Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards and LSU drove to a first down at the Crimson Tide 5-yard line before settling for Damian Ramos's 23-yard field goal.

Alabama responded by marching 75 yards on 15 plays and went up 14-3 on Justice Haynes's 1-yard run. Ramos's 43-yard field goal trimmed the lead to 14-6 midway through the second quarter, but the Tigers would creep no closer.

One play after LSU stopped the Crimson Tide on a fourth-and-1, Tim Smith recovered a Nussmeier fumble at the Tigers 32. Three plays later, Milroe ran 10 yards for a touchdown and a 21-6 lead that held up through the end of the first half.