Game of the Week: Alabama vs. LSU
On Saturday night in Death Valley, two teams loaded with NFL talent and a pair of coaches with personalities like no other will square off for a top-five primetime matchup. No.1 Alabama will take on the No. 4 LSU Tigers in an SEC West showdown to claim the top spot in the division.
For Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide, a win in Death Valley against Ed Orgeron’s LSU Tigers would no doubt silence the critics who have constantly brought up Alabama’s lack of strength of schedule. Meanwhile, the Tigers will look to spice things up in what seems to be an interesting year for SEC football as both teams look to be the sole representative of the SEC West in the conference championship game.
Coming into this matchup, Alabama sports the best roster in all of college football with NFL talent at nearly every position. The Crimson Tide are led by sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who has been nothing short of immaculate this season. On the season he has thrown for 2,066 yards, 25 touchdowns, a 70.4 completion percentage and zero interceptions.
The rest of the offense contains incredibly talented players across the board as well, such as a projected first-round pick in starting left tackle Jonah Williams and talented center Ross Perschbacher.
With such great talent on the offensive line, Alabama also features a deadly trio at running back with Najee Harris, Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs pummeling opponents in the ground game.
The Tide receiving corps may also be the most talented Saban has ever had with Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle, and Henry Ruggs III all proving to be excellent pass catchers. The Tide have five receivers each averaging over 17.5 yards per catch coming into this weekend.
Defensively the Crimson Tide are no joke, featuring a fearsome front seven that includes the likes of Raekwon Davis, Derrick Brown and Isaiah Buggs. The secondary is manned by ball-hawking free safety Deionte Thompson, who has broken out after the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick to the NFL.
LSU is no slouch either, as the Tigers also feature one of the best defenses in college football. Cornerback Greedy Williams is one of the top NFL prospects at the position right now with eight interceptions in only two years at LSU. Williams has been nothing short of a lockdown corner and could help to slow down Alabama's lethal passing attack.
In addition to Williams, there is linebacker Devin White. White is possibly the best linebacker in all of college football and is the heart and soul of the LSU defense. White can do it all whether its playing coverage, pass rushing or run stuffing.
However, White will miss the first half of this matchup due to a controversial targeting call he received against Mississippi State. White’s suspension will put a lot of strain on the Tigers defense that will need all the help they can get against the Crimson Tide’s offense.
Speaking of offense, LSU is all about the rushing attack. Running back Nick Brossette is the feature back for LSU with 697 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on the year. Brossette will undoubtedly be challenged by Alabama’s defensive front.
Meanwhile, quarterback Jake Burrow has struggled this season for LSU with only 1,544 yards passing to go with a 53.8 percent completion rate, six touchdowns and three interceptions. Burrow will have to step up big time if the Tigers are going to knock off the Crimson Tide.
The crowd at Death Valley should be electric and will no doubt help the Tigers tremendously as there’s nothing quite like a Saturday night in Death Valley.
David Saggio is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him email davesag12@gmail.com.
