South Bound & Down
Fansided

SEC’s Best in-Conference Games: Number 1: Alabama at LSU

By Justin Melton

Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) celebrates after a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) celebrates after a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Eddie Jackson is the veteran leader in the Tide secondary. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Eddie Jackson is the veteran leader in the Tide secondary. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

LSU Offense vs. Alabama Defense

Everybody knows LSU’s plan on offense: give the ball to Leonard Fournette and let him go to work. And boy does he go to work. Last season he racked up 1953 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. Those are insane numbers. And if Fournette gets tired, Les Miles can send in Derrius Guice, who averaged 8.5 yards per carry last season. The LSU rushing attack is difficult to stop.

But when they play a team who is able to stop their rushing attack, LSU has to depend on quarterback Brandon Harris to bail them out. Last season he could not do so. He will need to improve if LSU wants to make a playoff push this year. Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural should help with that.

The Tigers lost Vadal Alexander and Jerald Hawkins to the NFL, but the offensive line should still be stout. Center Ethan Pocic will be the key man in the middle. If he plays well, the rest of the line will gel around him.

Alabama’s defense was great last season. Which is nothing new for Alabama under Nick Saban. The Tide should be great again this year, though they lost a few pieces from last year’s squad. Up front the Tide lost Jarran Reed and A’Shawn Robinson to the NFL Draft. However, they return sack leader Jonathan Allen and nose tackle Daron Payne. The other end spot will be filled by either Dalvin Tomlinson or Da’shawn Hand. They should be one of the top units in the country.

At linebacker, the Tide should also be stout. They lost leader Reggie Ragland, but Reuben Foster seems ready to step into that role. Shaun Dion Hamilton should do well next to Foster on the inside. On the outside, the Tide return two elite pass-rushers in Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson. Rashaan Evans is a versatile weapon who can play inside or outside coming off the bench.

In the secondary the Tide lose two starters, in the forms of Cyrus Jones and Geno Smith. They will be missed. However, the Tide does return safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Minkah Fitzpatrick, who saw time at nickel last season, should transition smoothly to the other outside corner spot. Finally, Ronnie Harrison, who saw time at dime should slide into Smith’s role at safety.

Advantage: Alabama

Next: Special Teams and Coaching

Home/SEC Football