Top SEC Games: Week 10 Edition

Oct 24, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) rolls out to pass on a two point conversion against Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

2 LSU VS 4 Alabama

Location:  Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL

Game Time:  Saturday, November 7 8:00PM ET

TV:  CBS

Don’t lie.  Regardless of who you pull for, you’ve been looking forward to this game for weeks.  Alabama, with its season goals on the line, faces off against LSU at home.  Doesn’t this seem to have the same feel of Alabama-LSU games from a few years ago?  Also, this seems to have the same feel to it the Auburn-Ole Miss game from last year had.

Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles claps as the team warms up prior to kickoff against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Both Alabama and LSU square off in a playoff elimination game of sorts, though Alabama stands the most to lose.  If Alabama loses, the Crimson Tide will be eliminated from competing for a conference championship, as well as a playoff spot.  If LSU loses, the showdown in Oxford (provided Ole Miss beats Arkansas this weekend) looms larger.  Many have had this game circled for weeks because it pits Alabama’s highly regarded front seven against LSU’s rushing attack and Leonard Fournette.

Let’s be honest, Fournette will get his 100 yards regardless of who he’s playing against, but can the Crimson Tide contain Fournette?  Don’t sleep on the LSU passing attack.  Though the Tigers don’t have a gamebreaker at quarterback, they do possess a talented receiving corps that can cover a lot of deficiencies in the passing game.

Flip the scripts:  What about the Alabama offense?  Alabama has a more stable passing game with Jacob Coker settling in to the starting role and the rushing attack is downright brutal on opposing defenses as well.  This game screams close and low scoring, but could both teams get into the high 20’s and low 30’s Saturday night?  I believe that is a possibility.

The team that controls the clock and makes the most of their opportunities with the ball in their possession will win this one.  Les Miles and the Tigers have grown accustomed to big games over the years, so don’t expect the moment or the crowd to play much of a factor in this one.  While other teams have abandoned the more traditional style offenses, LSU (definitely) and Alabama (to a degree) have stayed true to this style of offense.

This is the game the entire conference and nation will be watching.  All eyes will be on Tuscaloosa Saturday night.  Will LSU continue its march toward the College Football Playoff?  Or will Alabama complicate the Western Division race and keep conference championship goals alive another weekend?

Next: Other Games Around the Conference