[ad_1]
This is the game of the year until now. Alabama, No. 1, vs. LSU, third in the standings, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is traditionally one of the country's most difficult, if not the toughest, places.
But instead of the hype typically associated with a game of this magnitude, the overriding question is whether Tua Tagovailoa and the Crimson Tide favorite at 14 ¹ / ₂ points can be pushed? Consider this: Since 1999, only two of the top four teams – Auburn in 2013 and LSU in 2009 – have been double-digit outsiders at home, according to Steve Makinen, editor of VSiN, Point Spread Weekly.
"It's understandable [the spread is so high]but Death Valley is the place where dreams will die, "said Aaron Taylor, an analyst at CBS Sports, during a phone interview. "I really expect LSU to live up to the situation."
In eight games, Alabama (8-0) is not only undefeated, but undressed all his opponents, his runners rarely playing in the depths of the second half. He outclassed the 433-127 opponents, earned the nation's highest ranked offensive (54.1 points per game) and the ranked defense ranked 10th (15.9), as well as the Heisman Trophy's runaway favorite at the youth Tagovailoa, 20 years old. start an interception.
"He's fast with the ball. He is fast with the release. He's smart, "said Ed Orgeron, LSU coach this week. "He can throw the ball deep. He can run the football. This is a very dangerous football player. I think he is the best player in the country. "
But as dominant as Alabama has had eight games, the Crimson Tide calendar is far from intimidating. They faced two teams with winning records, SEC also Texas A & M and Mississippi. They still have to face a high-flying defense. Their best game outside the conference was Louisville, wine cellar at the ACC Atlantic winery.
That changes Saturday night against LSU (7-1) (a defeat), which arguably has the best resume in the country, winning two wins over two teams in the top 20 at College Football Playoff, Georgia and Mississippi State, which is particularly difficult at home. The Tigers have already beaten Georgia at Baton Rouge, 36-16, sixth and finalist last year, and 34-5 at home since 2013. Alabama has won at LSU three times in a row, though those victories were won by a total of 21 points.
"It will be interesting to see how [we] respond by playing a very good team on the road, "said Alabama coach Nick Saban.
LSU's defense is great, with three possible first-round picks: cornerback (Greedy Williams), safety (Grant Delpit) and linebacker (Devin White). The whites will miss the first half however, the result of a call to the goal against the state of Mississippi on Oct. 20. The Tigers are ranked 22nd in total defense, lead the country with 14 steals and award fewer points per game (15.1) than Alabama. LSU has already dominated two well-known quarterbacks, Nick Fitzgerald of Mississippi State and Jake Fromm of Georgia, setting the stage for this clash against Tagovailoa.
"I think we're up to it [with] them, "said Delpit, who has five interceptions and four sacks.
LSU did not see such an offense either. In relief, Tagovailoa, the hero of last year's national championship game, had 2066 yards and 25 touchdowns, despite less than 60% of Alabama's clear catches due to the unbalanced nature of its games. He also completes 70.4% of his passes. Five different receivers have at least 21 receptions and the Crimson Tide offensive line, anchored by the best offensive prospect Jonah Williams, has allowed only five sacks, the third lowest in the country.
Although LSU can slow down Alabama, which is not easy, it remains to be seen if the Tigers can score enough points. The offensive is far from powerful, producing 30 points or more just three times in six games against opponents of the power conference. The Ohio State transfer, Joe Burrow, has stabilized the quarterback position. Still, LSU is 102nd in the country in number of passes per game with 190.6, and Burrow completes 53.8% of his passes. If she does not manage to run the ball – and few teams do it against Crimson Tide – it would probably result in a long night at Bayou.
Alabama seems particularly excited about slaughtering after asking questions about his schedule. Linebacker Mack Wilson said Dylan Moses, a native of Baton Rouge and a fellow countryman, was "ready to crush someone." When asked if he would choose to receive or postpone if the Crimson Tide won the draw, Saban gave the story of the week.
"I hope we will choose to kick asses," said Alabama 's coach.
It's quite different from Saban's typically reserved character. Imagine what he says to his mastodon behind closed doors.
– with AP
Source link
