The LSU Tigers will travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday evening to take on the third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in an SEC matchup. This year, the Tigers are 4-4 (2-3) and are coming off a 31-17 road loss to the 12th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels. Sophomore quarterback Max Johnson finished going 13-of-21 for 146 yards with an interception. The Crimson Tide are 7-1 (4-1) thus far and are coming off a 52-24 home win over the Tennessee Volunteers. Sophomore quarterback Bryce Young went 31-of-43 for 371 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Alabama Crimson Tide Preview: Beast in the Air
The Alabama Crimson Tide has a prolific offense with junior wide receiver Jameson Williams out wide. He has 35 receptions for 710 yards (20.3 yards per catch) with six touchdowns. In his last game against the Volunteers, Williams racked in six catches for 123 yards (20.5 yards per reception). If he can continue to do his thing while finding the end zone, Alabama will be unstoppable.
The Alabama Crimson Tide defense has been solid this season as they are allowing 20.6 points per game. In their previous game against the Tennessee Volunteers, they gave up 24 points on 346 total yards of offense (282 passing, 64 rushings). The Crimson Tide did a phenomenal job of limiting conversions as the Vols went 2-of-12 on third down attempts and failed to convert their only fourth-down try. Alabama does need to improve their secondary play as Tennessee threw for 10.1 yards per pass. If the defense steps up, they can win the National Championship again.
LSU Tigers Preview: The Davis-Price is Right
With the question marks surrounding the quarterbacks, LSU has established the running game with junior Tyrion Davis-Price. He has 120 rushes for 627 yards (5.2 yards per attempt) with six touchdowns and three receptions for 35 yards (11.7 yards per catch) this season. In the last game against the Rebels, he had 17 carries for 52 yards (3.1 yards per rush) and a touchdown. If he can improve his yardage here, it will be an excellent sign for the Tigers.
THIS SEASON, the LSU Tigers have been a shaky defensive unit as they are allowing 28.8 points per game. In their previous game against the Ole Miss Rebels, the Tigers allowed 31 points on 470 total yards of offense (204 passing, 266 rushings). They need to improve on third down as the Rebels went 5-of-13 on third down attempts and converted all three fourth-down attempts as well. A big reason is the fact Ole Miss ran for 5.3 yards per carrying. If the defense can show up, LSU has a chance to win.
Who to Bet on LSU at Alabama
The top sportsbooks are not expecting this to be much of a game with the high spread, and it makes sense. LSU had quarterback Myles Brennan officially enter the transfer portal, and the whole Ed Orgeron situation happened, so they are lacking direction right now. Alabama is one of the top teams in the entire country. Bryce Young has been incredible as in his last five games, he has 16 touchdowns to three interceptions, while LSU has issues figuring out who will be under center. The Tigers are 2-6 against the spread in their previous eight games against the Crimson Tide, so go with the trend to continue here as well.