Due to that early loss against Ole Miss this is a must win game for Alabama if they hope to remain in the College Football Playoff hunt. It can go either way, but the home field wins out.
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Let’s not pull punches, LSU’s defense has let the team down in three straight Alabama games. “I’m not sure”, Golden Nugget sports book director Tony Miller said. “I’ve never seen a stadium like that”.
The main course: No. 4 LSU and Heisman Trophy favorite Leonard Fournette visit No. 7 Alabama (CBS, 8 p.m.), and Minnesota visits No. 1 Ohio State, which suspended starter J.T. Barrett and will go with more-than-capable Cardale Jones (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Stopping LSU’s quarterback play is all the more vital for Alabama given the recent history between the two teams.
This is the seventh time since 2005 that the two schools meet with both ranked in the top 10. As such, it is this writer’s belief that LSU will be that team and they will revel in Tuscaloosa yet again.
That’s an understatement from either fan base. Boykin has been spectacular this season as he has led two comebacks, one against Texas Tech and the other against Kansas state. Time to move over Florida State; this year the Clemson Tigers are going to the big dance. It’s a pivotal American Athletic Conference West Division contest.
“We’re excited. We’re exhausted of waiting”, said Allen, who leads Alabama with six sacks and eight tackles for loss.
While Allen’s word may come off as downplaying Fournette’s abilities, don’t take them as disrespect. “It means nothing. I don’t even know why we have it”. “But you also have to try to control that and figure out and hone in on what you have to do on the field”. Sometimes it’s the gambles that have made the difference.
LSU does boast a pretty stout run defense (93.7 yds/game, 3.25 yds/att), ranking 2 behind Alabama. They’re both incredibly similar, and you just get the sense that one mistake is going to decide the whole thing.
“I don’t think being conservative is really going to help you win a game like this”, Saban said. Except at quarterback, LSU is possibly the most powerful and aggressive team in the country. Miles said he expects cornerbackTRE’DAVIOUS WHITE (knee), defensive tackle CHRISTIAN LACOUTURE (foot) and fullback J.D. Moore (knee) to return.
“They should relish it”, Miles said.
Freshman backup safety Ronnie Harrison (ankle) was also hurt against Tennessee and is probable after practicing this week.
The fourth-ranked team, however, is a bit controversial as the committee ranked Alabama ahead of unbeaten Michigan State, Baylor and TCU despite its home loss to Ole Miss. So pay close attention to special teams, where both of these teams have struggled”, he said, adding, “If the defenses play well and the game is played between the 30s and not the red zone, that could come into play. Henry has 1,044 rushing yards and 14 TDs. That is the second-longest active streak in the FBS (Air Force, 10).
LSU quarterback Brandon Harris has proven himself to be a surgeon with a football with 1,098 passing yards, 9 touchdowns and no interceptions. The fact Hargreaves is not among the SEC leaders in passes broken up is more a reflection of teams not throwing against him.
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Fournette’s legacy and Alabama – with the nation’s No. 4 rush defense at just 78.5 yards allowed a game – await.
