How LSU, Alabama stack up
Offense
LSU: For a 13-0 national championship contender, the Tigers have undergone significant changes this season. After nine starts, including in the first Alabama game, quarterback Jarrett Lee was replaced with Jordan Jefferson, who is a better runner and gives the Tigers a serious option threat. A group of four runners has been extremely productive, though the carries have tilted recently to- No. 1 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama
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Bovada.net line: Even Sagarin difference: LSU by 3.34 ward 240-pound freshman Kenny Hilliard. There are oddities here. Lee is No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference in passing efficiency yet might not play. And the Tigers rank No. 75 in the nation in total offense and No. 105 in passing yet have had nine 40-point games and are No. 12 in scoring.
Alabama: The Tide will rely on Heisman Trophy finalist and Doak Walker Award winner Trent Richardson, who has blossomed into a superstar as a junior with 1,583 rushing yards and a school-record 20 rushing touchdowns on 263 carries. He also has caught 27 passes. Sophomore A.J. Mccarron has stepped into the quarterback job and completed 66.7% of his passes for 2,400 yards and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions. While Marquis Maze (56 catches) is the vertical threat, Mccarron lately has been relying more than usual on TE Brad Smelley, who has 10 of his 27 catches in the last two games.
Advantage: Alabama Defense
LSU: There probably isn’t a better defense in the country – unless it’s Alabama’s. In fact, the Tigers rank second to the Tide nationally in scoring and total defense. They are athletic and opportunistic, having recovered 12 fumbles and intercepted 18 passes for a plus 22 turnover margin, best in the country. The secondary is astonishingly good, with Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne at one corner and Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu at the other. There will be a lot of pressure on the front seven, led by All-america end Sam Montgomery, to control Richardson and pressure Mccarron.
Alabama: The stingiest unit in the nation, leading in every major category including total defense and scoring defense, plays a base 3-4. NG Josh Chapman, second-team all-sec, will likely continue to tie up more than one blocker and free the linebackers, perhaps the best unit in the nation and the backbone of the defense. That group features All-american Dont’a Hightower (81 total tackles, three sacks, 9½ tackles for loss) but will have to watch the option directed by Jefferson. All-america LB Courtney Upshaw is a feared pass rusher (8½ sacks, 11 hurries, 17 tackles for loss). S Mark Barron and CB Dre Kirkpatrick pace a veteran secondary that helped hold LSU to 91 passing yards in the first meeting.
Advantage: Alabama Special teams
LSU: This is where the Tigers perhaps shine brightest, with the best punter in the country in first-team All-american Brad Wing and one of the best kickers in the country in Drew Alleman. Wing is adept at aiming the ball and placing it inside the 20. Alleman has made 16 of 18 field goal attempts, including 3-for-3 from 40 to 49 yards. And Mathieu is a big-time threat returning punts.
Alabama: Ks Cade Foster and Jeremy Shelley had a night to forget in November, combining to miss four of six field goal attempts, although the misses were from long range. They both say they’re comfortable kicking in a dome. Maze is dangerous on returns, but the Tide coverage teams will have to be on their toes because Mathieu and Claiborne are two of the most lethal return men in the nation — if the team chooses to kick toward them.
Advantage: LSU
Intangibles
LSU: It’s not easy to beat a great team twice in one season. On the other hand, this is a team that has overcome a great deal of adversity, including the embarrassing preseason bar brawl and four-game suspension of Jefferson and the switch in offensive coordinators after Steve Kragthorpe was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. A win would make LSU 3-for-3 in championship games played in New Orleans.
Alabama: The Tide will be the road team but firmly believe they outplayed the Tigers in the first game. They relish having a rare second chance with much more on the line. Coach Nick Saban is attempting to become the first coach with three Bowl Championship Series titles, winning in 2009 with Alabama and 2003 with LSU. He’s the only coach with BCS crowns at different schools.
Advantage: LSU