BAMA FIGHTS TO KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE TODAY...

  Bama is big favorite...

     LSU is not going to win the BCS National Championship this season. They could have huge say who does. Could there be anything greater than keeping 'Bama out of that game?  Tonight the Tigers will give it their best shot. That's nothing new for Alabama. Everyone gives the the Crimson Tide their best shot. LSU usually has the talent to actually have chance win. That won't change tonight. The Tigers could have the best offense in the SEC. They have a great running game featuring a tank named Jeremy Hill. His yards after contact is impressitve. His offensive line is talented. They can run block and protect Zach Mettenburger. When you have two wide receivers like Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry it is going to test your secondary to the max. Alabama's secondary has been through a lot, including the loss of Vinnie Sunseri.  

      There could be a good argument made for the LSU offense being the best in the SEC. Is that offense better Alabama's. Alabama has the most underrated and most consistent quarterback  in the NCAA in A.J. McCarron. Mettenberg has been pretty average in his last two games. His three interceptions against Ole Miss lead to a Rebel victory. Don't look for an Ole Miss repeat. Quarterback coach Cam Cameron is one of the best in NCAA or NFL. He'll have Metterburger ready. These are two great quarterbacks. I honestly can't remember the last game that could be considered poor with McCarron at the helm. I'd give the edge to Alabama in squeaker in a pick. It won't be a push. One of the signal callers is going to rise to the occasion. T.J. Yeldon is a great running back. He is not explosive but he hits the holes, follows his blocker better than anyone in the SEC. Kenyan Drake is nitrogycerin waiting  to explode. He is so fast and  quick it is just amazing. One is steady and the other is instant offense. The Tide also had Jalston Fowler for short yardage situation. The pick which team has the best running backs is tough. I'd call this one even, but Drake might give upset that pick in a heartbeat. The quarterbacks are no better than the offensive line.

   The Crimson Tide's offensive line has made tremendous progress since game one. Are they as good as last year's rendition? No, but they are that  far away either. Brothers Cyrus and Arie Kouandjio down the left side of the line. They have given Alabama some explosive plays with their ability to get to the second level to continue blocking. Ryan Kelly who has injured has returned. That move seems to have solidified a good situation. Chad Lindsey, the backup center who filled in for Kelly did a great job. Bama can count on him. The to right side of the center is Anthony Steen who is the pure guard in the SEC. His senior leadership has been invaluable. Right tackle Austin Sheppard and Steen have been the two lineman who have opened up holes for the backs. Tight end Brian Vogler has been more than adequete particularly with his blocking. Backup O.J. Howard has been the tight end who has shown more promise than any offensive lineman the Tide signed. He is a great receiver who has shown he can catch big play passes. LSU's offensive line has been impressive as well. They have opened up opportunities for Hill and Alfred Blue. Good backs make offensive lines look  good at times and LSU's line has done that. The Tigers have given up 2.5 sacks a game. Alabama gives up 1.5. Keep in mind the that both of these teams like to run as much as pass. Let's up it this way - A.J. McCarron rarely sees the blue sky or the dark of night while throwing the ball.

 

The Defenses are good...

 

  A lot ot people say the difference between LSU and Alabama is on the defensive side of the ball. That might true. That doesn't mean that LSU has a bad defense. What LSU has is a lack of experience. The players are great. The time they have played is the difference. Everyone talks about the number starters LSU lost to the NFL. Great players went to the NFL. Potentiall great players remain.  The key difference in the game is C.J. Mosley. He might be the best player who has played for Nick Saban at Alabama. Ha-Ha Clinton Dix is an All-American. The loss of Sunseri cost Alabama their quarterback in the secondary. The Tide has been weak  at seconday according to many. Dion Blue is not weak. the other side seems to change weekly. I thought that Eddie Jackson seperated himself from the pack. Bradley Sylve is listed  first on the dept chart this week. His ankle injury has slowed him down. The Tide corners are not bad corners. They are just small. Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry are going to catch some passes tonight. The are great players. They may be the best pair of receivers in the nation. But LSU has to deal with Amari Cooper who seems almost 100%. DeAndrew White is very good. Kevin Norwood has been the Tiger killer since he has played at Bama.I'd expect A.J. McCarron to find #83.. often. He'll look for him even ore on big plays. Kenny Bell is a rocket. He is Alabama's long ball threat with Cooper nicked up. This game is going to showcase the best pass  catchers in the SEC. You know who Mettenburger is going throw the ball to on passing downs. You have no idea who is going to get the ball when Alabama passes.  Alabama will put in some special looks for LSU in the secondary. I don't see how a coach can do that against Alabama. Almost everyone gives the edge to LSU. I think it's very, very close.

 

      C.J. Mosely has taken over the leadershp roll for the defense. He set down his quiet ways and has become a verbal leader. I don't think LSU has the type  of leadership that 'Bama..

 

The streak, special teams, etc...

 

   All fans know that the road team wins this game often. Why? I have no idea. Perhaps the home team thinks that playing at home gives them the win if they just show up. Perhaps it is extra pressure playing in front of so many loyal fans. I personally think it is just the personel for that particulary game. I'm not very supertitious, except for my lucky tee shirt, of course. Advantage of location goes to Bama.

 

 

    Alabama has better special teams period. Foster has been steady. The other team rarely gets much on kickoff and punt returns. Keep  in mind that Bama has not played a team with this much all around talent this season LSU has the horses. Under no circumstance should Bama forget that. One player said the coaches have reminded the team of that week.

Bama 38 - LSU 28