LSU vs. Alabama Preview and Prediction
Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) celebrates after an interception against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama Crimson Tide
For Alabama, an early-season loss to Ole Miss likely means the Crimson Tide need to win out if they’re to reach College Football Playoff.
With that said, Alabama has played as well as any team in the country up to this point. The Tide have earned victories in four of their five conference contests — including two decisive road wins over the Georgia Bulldogs (38-10) and the Texas A&M Aggies (41-23).
Last season, Bama edged LSU in overtime 20-13 (the third time in the last eight meetings that this rivalry went to OT). Additionally, six of the last nine match-ups have been decided by one possession. Yet the Crimson Tide have notched four consecutive wins over the Tigers, winning by an average of nearly two touchdowns per contest.
If Alabama is to beat LSU for a fifth straight season, it’s likely going to stem from the play on the defensive side.
The Crimson Tide’s defense ranks third in the nation, allowing just 78.5 rushing yards per game (2.6 yards per carry). They’ll look to build off of last year’s performance in Baton Rouge, where the Tide held Fournette — who was averaging 5.5 ypc at the time — to a meager 79 rushing yards on 21 carries.
Offensively, Alabama will try to match LSU’s power with the one-man wrecking crew that is Derrick Henry. Henry ranks ninth in the country with 1,044 rushing yards and just a single touchdown less than Fournette (14). In his last two games alone, the junior bruiser totaled 379 yards on the ground.
Henry has been held under 100 rushing yards just three times this season, yet he’s reached the end zone at least once each outing. A strong performance from Henry in the backfield could be enough to elevate the Crimson Tide over the Tigers this Saturday night.
Next: Prediction