Stakes are high as LSU gets set for Alabama

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LSU fans are starved for a win against Alabama.

But this year’s Crimson Tide team is No. 1 in the country and is as fierce as ever under former Tigers coach Nick Saban – the odds on favorite to win the College Football Playoff.

So what gives?


We’ll find out on Saturday night on the storied natural grass of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Tigers will take on arguably their top rival on Saturday at 7 p.m. – the first time coach Ed Orgeron faces Alabama as LSU’s full-time head coach.

The Tigers are 6-2 and 3-1 in SEC play. The Tide are unbeaten in eight games.


The winner of the game will be in control of the SEC’s Western Division.

Both Orgeron and Alabama coach Nick Saban said they expect Saturday’s game to be a thriller, despite Las Vegas making the Crimson Tide more than a three touchdown favorite.

Both teams were off this past weekend and will be rested for the game.


“It’s a big deal,” Orgeron said. “It’s LSU and it’s Alabama. We know it’s a big challenge for our football team, but we’re going to be up and ready for it.”

“I know the LSU game is a big game,” Saban said. “It always is and we certainly have a lot of respect for how they’re playing now. They’re doing a great job and they’ve played very well the last few games.”

For LSU, the age-old question will be whether or not the Tigers can move the football against the vaunted Alabama defense.


In the past, the answer has been no.

In seven games against since 2011, the Tigers have never scored more than 20 points and have been shut out twice.

Last year, LSU’s defense dominated the game, limiting the Crimson Tide to just 323 yards and 16 first downs, while forcing two turnovers.


But Alabama shut down the Tigers cold, limiting LSU to just 125 yards and next-to-no offense.

In the offseason, LSU modernized its offense when Orgeron hired Matt Canada, but the move has had mixed success, though things have been trending upward lately.

LSU struggled mightily offensively early in the season.


But in the past three games, the Tigers have gotten better – first in a 27-23 victory over Auburn and then in a 40-24 win at Ole Miss.

Against the Rebels, LSU gained 593 yards and 393 yards rushing.

Halfback Derrius Guice was dominant, rushing 22 times for 276 yards and a score.


Saban said he’s watched a lot of LSU on film and he said there are things that LSU’s doing that could give Alabama problems.

The legendary coach specifically mentioned LSU’s use of the jet sweep and unbalanced lines as things that Alabama will have to be paying attention to in preparation for the game.

Saban said in preparing for Canada, the Tide have also watching film of the coordinator at some of his other teams, including last year at Pittsburgh.


“They have been very effective running the ball and making explosive plays,” Saban said. “They have shifts and motions that cause problems for the defense. I think it’s a very challenging offense – a great running back and a very effective in what they want to do.”

In terms of personnel, Alabama will be up to the task, owning several future NFL players. The Crimson Tide have allowed fewer than 10 points in four of their five SEC games.

But they’re not half bad on offense, either.


Alabama’s running game is second to none. The Tide have rushed 2,390 yards on 377 carries as a team – a 6.3 yard per carry average.

Their lead halfback, Damien Harris, is a force. He’s carried 81 times for 697 yards and 10 touchdowns.

When defenses cheat up to try and combat the run, Alabama goes deep. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has tosses for 9 touchdowns with just 1 interception.


Their lead receiver is Calvin Ridley, who has 41 catches for 523 yards.

Alabama’s next leading receiver has 12 catches.

But LSU’s defense has been playing its best football of the season, which may make for a tasty matchup.


Under second-year coordinator Dave Aranda, the Tigers have overcome youth and have achieved excellence, becoming one of the top units in the conference in the past several weeks.

Up front, LSU is thin, which is problematic against the Tide. But the team has been better in recent weeks – especially against Auburn.

In the secondary, LSU is living true to its DBU moniker. Against the Rebels, the Tigers recorded three interceptions.


“We think we’re rounding into form,” Orgeron said. “I think we still have a lot to work on and get better at. But for our football team, we like the direction we’re headed and we think we’ve made progress.”

So now for the elephant in the room – slaying Goliath when you’ve lost to Troy.

Saban said LSU’s loss against Troy earlier this season reminded him of his first year at LSU when the Tigers lost to Alabama-Birmingham.


Saban said after that game, his players were energized. LSU closed out the rest of that season strong, then had an SEC Championship season the next year.

The Alabama coach said he sees the same effect happening right now in Baton Rouge.

Vegas thinks it will be a massacre and so do most fans on each side.


But the coaches in the heat of the battle are preparing for a four-quarter game.

“We have to be ready,” Saban said. “We know it’s a great challenge.”

Ed OrgeronJOSE DELGADO | THE TIMES


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