Alabama football and LSU will mix power and finesse on Saturday. Both teams have explosive speed and love to hit. Les Miles makes a prediction.
When Alabama football and the Bengal Tigers square off Saturday night, two offensive coordinators will have a new experience, Brian Daboll and Matt Canada have never coached in such a big SEC rivalry game.
Daboll with his NFL experience will be better prepared for the fever of the slugfest. LSU Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada will see live a defense combining size and speed with an intensity born of rivalry and championship aspirations. It will be the biggest test of a Matt Canada offense.
Canada is known as something of a college football offensive guru. His wizardry led the Pitt Panthers to an upset of Clemson last season. The one-point Panthers victory was aided by three interceptions thrown by Deshaun Watson and because Clemson was not able to run on the Pitt defense (50 yards on 25 carries).
We are not suggesting Canada is over-rated. His offense ran up big numbers in the ACC last season. Despite LSU’s early season stumbles, Canada’s offense should flourish with LSU talent. Nick Saban and Jeremy Pruitt know the Tide will be challenged.
What about ‘Eye Candy’?
Earlier this week, Nick Saban was asked about the LSU offense, with its mixture of formations and pre-snap motion. Saban described it as a bit of Eye Candy that we assume was meant as a compliment.
"All the shifts and motions and tackle over unbalance and rocket motion, ‘eye candy’ I call it, for a defensive player makes the guy not focus on his real keys and play fast and remember that you’ve got to play block protection, you’ve got to tackle, you’ve got to read your keys, play the play and do your job."
LSU players have done some big talking about the game. A few months ago, LSU running back, Derrius Guice said the Tide was “afraid” of LSU last season. We are sure Saban was not intending such bulletin board material with his ‘eye candy’ observation. Then again, Nick is a wordsmith and the primary definition of ‘eye candy’ is something that is ‘superficially attractive’ implying a lack of substance.
LSU cannot take down Alabama football with an offense that is superficial. Throw in all the rocket motion, jet sweeps, misdirection in the Bengal Tiger playbook, knocking down, running over or speeding past Tide defenders will be necessary.
Canada to LSU has not changed the Bengal Tigers core philosophy. LSU wants to run the football. They use some two-back sets. They will use double tight ends, even three tight ends at times. Trying to shore up offensive line deficiencies the Tigers have used four tight ends once or twice.
Les Miles, Prognosticator
All these new combinations against a tenacious Alabama football defense will be fun to watch. Former LSU coach Les Miles was asked for a prediction. Les said it was painful to pick because he loves LSU,
"LSU is a spectacular place … As much as I hate to admit it. If I had to bet the house, I’d have to bet on Alabama."
Unless Matt Canada is the greatest offensive mind in college football, we believe Les is spot on with his pick. It may not be a three-touchdown beatdown. LSU will play as hard as any team the Tide will face this season but it will not be enough.
Next: The Five Best Tide-LSU Games
ICYMI: The Quirky History of Alabama and LSU. Bryant-Denny will be loud Saturday night. Alabama football fans are ready for a big game. We predict the Crimson Tide team is even more ready for a statement opportunity.