The story lines are interesting and varied for Alabama football and LSU. One good question is can LSU stop the Tide run game.
Alabama football and LSU is special for many reasons. For some Tide fans (count me in) a matchup of teams who relish a physical battle a few yards on either side of the line of scrimmage (LOS) is nostalgic. The SEC is still first and foremost a LOS league. But even in the SEC, teams sometimes shy away from ‘mano a mano’ confrontations where the strongest, toughest, meanest and most resolute men win.
Let the Big 12, most of the Pac 12, Gus Malzahn and other finesse-frenzied foes waver. Nick Saban and to his credit, Ed Orgeron love the practice of running over opponents. Since 2007, every Alabama and LSU game has been waged from the challenge of which team can physically whip the opponent.
Call it what you wish, old-school, downhill football, power football, ground and pound. It is a classic football philosophy but it does not preclude a use of tactical wizardry. It just doesn’t live by it.
Can LSU run on the Tide?
A healthy Derrius Guice is a serious offensive weapon. Guice has gained 711 yards despite not being fully healthy all season. Darrel Williams has performed well when Guice has been banged up. Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada has also done a good job of incorporating receivers in the LSU rushing attack. Russel Gage, D. J. Chark and Derrick Dillon have rushed a combined 40 times with a yards-per-carry average of over eight yards.
If that group can get around the edges of the Tide defense, they can do damage. On the flip side, Alabama football has speed on defense and an abundance of headhunters. LSU will have to do more than run to beat the Crimson Tide.
Can LSU stuff the Tide run game?
Statistically, LSU has not been ‘LSU-like’ in defending the run this season. The Bengal Tigers gave up 5.1 yards-per-carry (YPC) against Florida, 4.3 yards YPC to Auburn and 5.5 YPC against Ole Miss.
There is a story-line suggesting those numbers are misleading. That story claims the LSU defense will be finally healthy and in-shape against Alabama. There is some truth to the claim. LSU has not had Arden Key, Rashard Lawrence and Frank Herron all season. It has taken Key awhile to work back into fully fit, game condition.
But the story is a stretch. Key and Lawrence played against Florida, Auburn and Ole Miss. There is also plenty of other defensive talents in Greg Gilmore, Christian Lacouture, Donnie Alexander and Devin White.
LSU will load the box against the Tide and that could cause problems. There is no guaranteed success to a Tide aerial response countering a loaded LSU defensive box. Keep in mind, the LSU secondary against Ole Miss’ Shea Patterson and in the second half against Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham was very good against the pass. The Tide is likely to wear down the LSU defense if the Bengal Tigers offense cannot sustain drives.
Alabama football should win because it has the better defense and the better offense. Is the Tide three touchdowns better as the opening lines suggest? We are not so sure about that.
Next: Is 'Little Tua' a lock in 2019 Recruiting?
Check in with us often this week. The ramp up for LSU will be fun and we will stay on top of it. After the LSU losses to Mississippi State and Troy, we never expected the LSU game would become the Tide’s toughest (so far) test this season.