Anything You Can Do We Can Do Better, Except Kick

Now that the collective sigh and rambunctious celebrations of Alabama fans have simmered and we got that pesky Oklahoma State problem out of the way, we can all start to focus on the task ahead. We have to endure an entire bowl season – which I fear will feel like an eternity – to find out if Alabama can win this rematch with LSU without causing Shelley or Foster to vomit into the Gatorade bin from nervousness.

* * * *

LSU’s talent isn’t up for discussion; they are dang good. I feel a fury like no other when I see a cocky smirk from Les Miles, or a replay of the “mighty” Tyrann Mathieu. If those two people weren’t plastered all over the screen twenty times a day, or were an unranked Big Ten team playing in the Little Caesars Bowl, my emotions wouldn’t be running this high.

We all know the first meeting should have gone differently, but it didn’t. Yet somehow, the heavens opened up, the stars aligned and the Crimson Tide will have the opportunity to play LSU again, this time for the crystal trophy.

So, let’s say the stars align again and the special teams behave, the passes connect, Trent is open to do his thing and the ball doesn’t get turned over. I don’t see how all of those things happening won’t result in an Alabama win.

A game with such evenly-matched foes could go either way, and LSU will be a force to be reckoned with for the Tide. LSU has two good quarterbacks, one of whom is still having nightmares about the Tide defense. Jordan Jefferson will have to be their playmaker in the title game, and at 6-foot-5 and 223 pounds he has the tools to do it. A.J. McCarron may not have the size, but he’s scrappy and has a shotgun for an arm. His greatest talent, however, may be the innate ability to turn a bit to his right or left, and hand the ball off to Trent Richardson.

Tyrann Matthieu will be a problem for A.J. in this game. A.J. will have to put on his big boy pants and check as thoroughly as he can to make sure he doesn’t throw it into the hands of the interception machine.

We know the running game favors Alabama. The Tide will be able to send wave after wave of tough backs into the game to wear down the LSU defense. In the first game the Tide was able to move the ball well, and should this time around, given the time they’ve had to rest and heal.

Special teams for Bama are clearly the weak link. Coach Saban will surely not put his kickers in a position to launch errant balls this time. If our kick coverage teams can then prevent the “Honey Badger” from running one all the way back, I have confidence in our stout defense to stop them.

As Tide fans you’ll forgive my use of the pronoun, “we,” when I write about Alabama football. Even though I can only bench press the bar (okay let’s be honest; I can’t do that) and require Band-Aids for paper cuts, I feel like part of the team, and when my mother is asking why I’m cussing like a sailor at the refs, the other team and anyone else around, I truly believe I’m doing my part.

There is a reason the title game is so close in Vegas. Both teams have what it takes. It’s going to be a battle, which makes me extremely uneasy. But don’t let LSU fans, players or coaches make you think this game will be just like the last one. With the personnel we have on hand, this could turn out like another game played in New Orleans, back in 1992.