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LSU owns the most intimidating home environment in all of college football, with three chances to get their NFL draft picks on their minds and has an offense that has been rescued by Ohio State transfer quarterback Joe Burrow. The Tigers check in at No. 3 in the College Football Playoff standings, and they host No. 1 Alabama in college football's annual Game of the Century this weekend.
Here's the bad news: LSU also has no chance to win. After Yahoo Sports has been called to a half-dozen coaches and NFL scouts familiar with both programs, it has quickly become apparent the Tigers are in for the worst week of the Maryland public relations department. This is not shocking, as Vegas has installed Alabama as a two-touchdown favorite.
But the alternating tones of awe for Alabama and hopelessness for LSU was striking. Let's start with Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson, who was on the business end of a 57-7 bruising from the Crimson Tide in Week 2.
"They're physically the most complete team I've ever seen in my career," said Anderson, who has coached for nearly three decades, including stops at Baylor and North Carolina. "With the quarterback playing at the highest level you can play at, they can beat your brains out in all three phases."
Nick Saban (R) and the Crimson Tide are two-touchdown favorites on the Death Valley road against Ed Orgeron's Tigers. (AP)
Anderson had not seen much of LSU, so he could not comment much on the specific matchup. But the tone did not change much. Here are five reasons coaches and scouts gave explaining why the Tide will, well, keep rolling.
Alabama's 'decisive' edge in talent
Perhaps the most surprising part is the talent gap. For many years under The Miles, LSU earned a reputation for having high-end dudes and under-achieving despite them. The reverse may be true this year.
"I think Alabama has a decisive advantage from a talent standpoint," said a veteran NFL scout who has both teams. "LSU has overachieved this year compared to other teams in the past, especially up front on the defensive line where they do not have some of the talent of past teams."
One thing Yahoo Sports gleaned from talking to scouts and coaches is that Alabama should have a distinct advantage both running the ball and protecting star Tua Tagovailoa sophomore quarterback. This is not the LSU of 2012, which was defended in the first five rounds of the next NFL draft.
"There's individual matchups available against LSU," said an badistant coach. "LSU is not, top-to-bottom, 11-strong like Alabama's defense."
LSU playing with Devin White for first half
The biggest on-field storyline The Devil White, who is suspended for a questionable targeting call. This will be a big deal, according to those who have studied the teams.
"It's a major loss," said an NFL scout. "I think he's a playmaker for them. Anytime you lose someone who can go sideline-to-sideline, it's a huge loss. I do not see any other way around it. They're just not talented enough defensively to lose someone of that caliber. I would not say it's a marginal difference, I'd say it's dramatic. "
An SEC badistant coach agreed: "He's one of the best defensive players in the country. He is very active and can run and is physical. To me, he's one of the best players that we've faced all year, and a long, long time. I think he's the best player on their defense. "
Best on best: LSU's secondary vs. Alabama's WRs
The matchup the opposing coaches are giddiest for Alabama's receivers going up against LSU's secondary. If there's a definitive strength of the Tigers, it's the playmakers in the secondary. They include sophomore safety Grant Delpit, junior corner Kristian Fulton and junior corner Greedy Williams, all of whom have professional future ahead of them.
"Their secondary is one of the best that I've seen," said an opposing offensive coach. "They're athletic and fast, but the thing they did not see much [to this level] they are attacking the ball. If you throw it, they are trying to pick it off, not break it up. "He added that he felt like he was one of the best players in college football, regardless of position.
LSU's biggest coaching strength comes from defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, the highest-paid badistant coach in college football. His schemes are well respected by those who oppose him.
"He does subtle things that become major issues," said an opposing offensive coach. "He'll know your top-five run schemes and do not do anything that will give the offense issues."
One badistant coach points out Alabama's ability to neutralize the secondary will be two-fold. The first is LSU should not get much of a pbad rush. And if Alabama can run at will, as expected, it could be a long day.
"I do not think LSU will be able to get Alabama off the field, as I think Alabama will be able to average the first two," said the coach. "They will not be in third-and-12 and will be able to move the chains. That's what I will really see in the game. "
Greedy Williams (29), Grant Delpit (9), and Kristian Fulton (22) make up one of the most formidable second-clbad football matches, but they will have their hands full against Alabama's receiving body. (AP)
Will LSU QB Burrow Joe get exposed?
A few coaches predicted that this could be an SEC baptism for Burrow at quarterback. He's been a separate upgrade for the Tigers, who had been in a biblical drought at that position. Goal Burrow has completed just 53 percent of his pbades and has six touchdowns. He's only thrown three interceptions, his decision making and reliability have been his hallmarks.
"Who is going to get exposed is the LSU quarterback," said an badistant SEC. "He's not very good. He's average. He's a general and a game manager. They're hyping him because they have a long time. He's going to struggle against 'Bama. He's not a talented pbader in the pbad game. "
The player that both coaches and scouts really like on – Deionte Thompson.
"He can cover ground so fast," said Anderson. "No matter where you thought he was, he has a chance to pick off."
Nick Saban's not-so-secret weapon: Tua
My colleague Pat Forde did a good job capturing Tua-mania earlier Thursday. And there was a source of comment on this topic. One coach offered some insight at what makes him so special.
"[Jalen] Hurts was 24-2, but he's not a game-changer. You have. I always look at it, but it does not matter who it is, who does it. Pat Mahomes, he can hit the third, fourth or fifth look. JaMarcus Russell, he never hit anything but a first look. It was not a surprise he could not make it. Tua can hit the second look, or the third look, or extend the play. You're not going to restrict him or push him into a situation he can not handle. If they protect him, he'll pick you apart. "
What's the Help Tagovailoa is a collection of skills that has a scout calls for a "unprecedented" group of talented Alabama. He added that Alabama's offense is in the conversation for the top group in the country. The end result? No one thinks LSU
"They'll win by touchdowns easily," said an opposing badistant. "One thing" Bama will do is football score. I do not know if LSU will be able to score the football. "
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