The unbeaten Tigers were perhaps the biggest obstacles left in the Tide’s path. Alabama only has SEC road games against Mississippi State and Auburn remaining, with Georgia Southern sandwiched in between. That hasn’t been an issue lately with Harris producing big plays and topping 200 passing yards in three straight games. Both head coaches Les Miles and Nick Saban know what’s at stake, as a loss this weekend could end either of their chances at the College Football Playoff.
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Saturday’s showdown between Number 4 Alabama and Number 2 LSU features two offenses built around running the football and two of the top running backs in the country – LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Alabama football’s Derrick Henry. After holding the Vols’ rushing attack to just 132 yards, the Alabama defense now turns it attention to stopping perhaps the best rushing back in the nation.
The No. 4 Crimson Tide soundly defeated the No. 2 Tigers 30-16.
Moreover, it came on a stage custom-built for such a performance – a rivalry match in the best conference in college football between two of its best teams with virtually everything on the line from another victory, to the SEC West title, to an SEC championship to a berth in the College Football Playoff. LSU came in at No. 2 in the CFP ranking and in control of its own fate. The defense was stout again Saturday, holding the nation’s leading rusher, Leonard Fournette, to 31 yards.
Together, they made life miserable for LSU, which gave up a season-high 160 yards to Auburn, 127 yards against Syracuse and 103 yards against Western Kentucky in its undefeated start.
It’s a comparison that didn’t interest Henry.
“It really just comes down to, like Coach has probably said all week, just dominating our box”, linebacker Dillon Lee said. “I’m just trying to win with the Crimson Tide”. The Razorbacks beat No. 19 Ole Miss in overtime, 53-52.
But Miles said he’s ready to take on the Crimson Tide. “You’ve got to go out and show what you can do, be confident in what you can do”. For all of the game info that you need for tonight’s 2015 matchup, look no further.
NUMBERS GAME: Arkansas running back Alex Collins has 960 yards rushing. “We have to improve”. They were kind of messing with the substitutions, and we were getting in late and not getting lined up, and they hit a couple big plays on us. Despite Coker’s tossing that many picks, Alabama is still plus-three in turnover margin this year.
On defense, the Tigers will want to pressure Alabama quarterback Jake Coker and force him to be the one to make plays.
-RB Derrick Henry. Like it has been all season, Alabama’s offense goes behind the legs of Henry.
Saban describes Henry as a “taller, longer” version of Fournette, adding that both players are incredibly competitive.
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This is what happens with weekly rankings and when saying, “We think they’re better” apparently doesn’t suffice.
