The Alabama Crimson Tide controls their own destiny at this point in the season as they aim to get into the College Football Playoffs. The team's hardest games are ahead of them and that begins Saturday against LSU on the road. If the Tide get past the Tigers, they then face No. 1 Mississippi State and No. 3 Auburn before the year is over. The Tigers are coming off a big win over Ole Miss and will now look to upset Alabama as well.
Alabama has won their last three matchups against LSU including the 2011 National Championship game. The Tide is coming off a win over Tennessee on the road, beating the Volunteers 34-20. The Tigers are coming off a close win over Ole Miss ending their unbeaten streak. Now, after both teams had bye weeks, they face off in Death Valley to keep the rivalry going.
The Tigers have stumbled this year. They lost to Mississippi State early and then fell to the Auburn Tigers, making them 0-2 in league play to begin the year. However, wins over Florida, Kentucky and Mississippi has things on track. They are not in contention for the Playoffs, but upsetting the Tide's chances of getting in will certainly make their season.
LSU will aim to run the ball as much as possible. The team averages 50 rushes of more, putting up 225.7 per game. They rushed 264 yards against Mississippi's defense. Alabama has strength stopping the run that they will rely heavily on in this game. The Tide are giving up 78.1 yards per game and they have yet to allow a runner to put up 100 yards in a game. They will have their hands full with Leonard Fournette who has emerged as a leader with 657 yards with seven touchdowns. He has three touchdowns in the past three games.
Alabama has their own two-headed attack. TJ Yeldon and Derrick Henry have combined to be a strong attack that is averaging 218.6 yards per game. Blake Sims has not performed well in hostile environments, struggling against Ole Miss on the road. He will certainly be in a tough atmosphere in Death Valley.
