Alabama Football: How the Tide leaves Death Valley victorious

In the most anticipated game for Alabama football this season, a tremendous amount of attention has been placed upon the Alabama offense to deliver the victory. However, the keys to victory will focus on more than just offensive firepower.

For Alabama football, Death Valley has always presented a unique and difficult challenge. The atmosphere at night, with the SEC West and playoff hopes on the line is a challenge for either team. For the Crimson Tide to leave victorious, three main areas must be won: Momentum, Beating One on One Coverage and Stopping The Run.

Momentum

For anyone who loves the atmosphere that college football provides, this Saturday night at Death Valley will be hard to beat. The LSU crowd has the ability to play a huge contributing factor for an opponent’s struggles, which is why I believe it is critical for the Tide to take the crowd and momentum out of the Tiger faithful early.

Every game this year, Alabama has scored on its opening possession. It has been a tremendous tool for the Tide in creating momentum for itself and at the same time breaking the opponent’s will to fight. By the halftime of every game this season, the Tide have essentially put the game away. If the Tide can yet again score on its opening drive, expect to see the momentum come out of LSU’s sails.

For momentum to remain on the Tide’s side, not turning the ball over is critical. Two week’s ago versus Mississippi State, LSU struggled to move the ball on offense. If it wasn’t for Miss State’s turnovers, the outcome of the game may have been in question. If the Tide can prevent turnovers it will eliminate the ability of LSU to capitalize on a short field and prevent any momentum swings.

Beating One on One Coverage

Greedy Williams is a for sure first round pick in this year’s upcoming draft. He may be the first corner off the board. I fully expect for LSU to rely on him to provide one on one coverage so the Tigers can blitz Tua Tagovailoa early and often.

For Alabama Football,  receivers need to beat Greedy Williams and Kristian Fulton on the outside. If Alabama is able to consistently beat one on one coverage, it will force LSU to drop both safeties into coverage and open up the RPO passing and rushing attack for the Tide.

Even with outside coverage being key, I believe the receivers who occupy the slot will be given the credit to victory. Alabama has used Jerry Jeudy by placing him in the slot against a safety or nickel corner. He has beaten them each and every time. Combining this with the threats Jaylen Waddle and Irv Smith Jr bring, creates a potent offense difficult to slow down or stop.

The Tide’s ability to beat one on one coverage will enable the Tide to keep the Tiger’s defense on its heels. It will allow Tua Tagovailoa to continue having tremendous success for Alabama football.

Stopping The Run

In the major victories for LSU this year, many have pointed to the quarterback play of Joe Burrow. However, his success has been created by the effective running of the football. Against Miami, Auburn and Georgia, LSU was able to not only run the ball but score from the run. This drove opponents to dedicate more personnel towards the running game, creating favorable matchups in the passing game.

For Alabama, the defense must shut down the LSU rushing attack and force Joe Burrow to throw the football. Against Mississippi State, Joe Burrow struggled mightily and it was because of the inability to run the football.

The past seven years of victory for the Tide have rested on the ability of the Alabama defense to stop the run. I believe for Alabama, its defense can win the game by stopping the rushing attack of LSU. If LSU cannot establish a ground presence then QB Joe Burrow will have no chance at victory.

Conclusion

If Alabama football wants to capture National Championship No. 18, it must go through the Tigers. Death Valley will provide new tests for this Alabama team. I believe they are ready and able to conquer from the coin toss.

If the Tide can be as dominant in Death Valley as it has the first half of the season, everyone in the country will be on notice the Tide is nearly impossible to stop. If victory follows the Tide out of Death Valley it will be because it controlled the momentum of the game, consistently beat LSU’s one on one coverage, and stopped the rushing attack of the Tigers.

Comment below on your keys to victory for the Crimson Tide! Also, provide a prediction for the outcome of the game!