LSU Hosts Alabama in Huge SEC Matchup

Expect a Heavyweight Title Fight at Death Valley Tonight

The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and the 4th-ranked LSU Tigers will battle on Saturday at Tiger Stadium (Death Valley). This game will decide the SEC West Champion and give the winner a leg up on getting into the College Football Playoff.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, CBS.

LINE: Alabama -14; O/U: 51.5.

Alabama has been cruising through its schedule so far this season. The Crimson Tide might run into a stern test on Saturday when it visits LSU in an SEC showdown.

The Crimson Tide are also atop the first College Football Playoff rankings. They have defeated six of their eight opponents by 34 or more points. Now they face a stingy LSU squad that is third in the CFP rankings and are allowing just 15.1 points per game.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said that none of his team's gaudy stats matter in the matchup with the Tigers. Alabama has scored more than 50 points six times, is an example of those stats.

"(LSU) is one of the best teams in the nation," Saban said during a press conference. "I think they're very elite in a lot of ways in terms of the way they play defense. Their offense is very efficient. They've really done a great job this year and the quarterback (Joe Burrow) plays well for them."

LSU coach Ed Orgeron is aware of the stakes as his team would greatly increase its CFP hopes with an upset.

"I am not going to make it bigger than life that our guys can't handle it," Orgeron said during a press conference. "We're going to approach this game, we're not going to say it's like every other game, we understand this is 'the' game. But we're going to approach every day like we've done. We're not going to change our process."

The Crimson Tide are 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the SEC. This is normal fare for them under Nick Saban and should be ready for the Death Valley crowd.

Sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is having a season for the ages. He has 2,066 yards and 25 touchdowns without throwing a single interception this year.

Wideout Jerry Jeudy is his top target with 31 receptions for 777 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fellow sophomore DeVonta Smith has a hamstring injury and is in danger of missing his second straight game.

RB Josh Jacobs, who averages 30.9 yards per kickoff return, is second on the team with nine touchdowns (eight rushing, one kickoff return).

The defense is allowing an average of 15.9 points per game. Senior defensive end Isaiah Buggs has a team-high 8.5 sacks and is enjoying a strong season. Junior cornerback Saivion Smith has a team-best three interceptions.

The LSU Tigers are 7-1 on the season and 4-1 in the SEC.

The only blemish is a loss to Florida for an opportunistic team. They are tied for the national lead with 14 interceptions. They have five from sophomore safety Grant Delpit, who also has four sacks.

The Tigers will be without standout junior linebacker Devin White, who has a team-best 76 tackles, for the first half due to a targeting infraction against Mississippi State.

Burrow, a junior, has passed for 1,544 yards and six touchdowns. Senior running back Nick Brossette has recorded 697 yards and 10 scores on the ground.

The LSU offense is averaging 30.4 points per game.

Alabama has won the past seven meetings, including a 24-10 victory last season.

PREDICTION: Alabama 31, LSU 21

NCAA Football Betting Odds & Trends

Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Alabama's last 5 games
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Alabama's last 15 games on the road
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Louisiana State
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Alabama's last 8 games when playing Louisiana State
Alabama is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Louisiana State
Alabama is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Louisiana State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Alabama's last 5 games when playing on the road against Louisiana State

LSU Tigers
Louisiana State is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games
Louisiana State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Louisiana State's last 5 games
Louisiana State is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Louisiana State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Louisiana State's last 7 games at home
Louisiana State is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Alabama
Louisiana State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Alabama
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Louisiana State's last 8 games when playing Alabama
Louisiana State is 3-8-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Alabama
Louisiana State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Alabama
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Louisiana State's last 5 games when playing at home against Alabama

 

Next up:
Alabama home to Mississippi State Saturday, November 10
LSU at Arkansas Saturday, November 10

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