Second-ranked LSU (8-0) arrives in Tuscaloosa, seeking to end their eight-game losing streak to Alabama football and take the SEC West crown (8-0). LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is 0-3 against Saban and a victory would catapult the Tigers into the playoffs.
Alabama football is in a quandary.
As the College Football Playoff Rankings show ran across television screens, the committee placed the Crimson Tide in the three-hole sandwiched between a torrid LSU and an underrated Penn State squad. The Crimson Tide are not the media darlings this season. Critics poke holes in their “weak” schedule, inexperience on defense, and life without Tua taking snaps from the center.
Alabama can play with an underdog mentality and prove to the world how underestimating them fuels their unquenchable fire for the remainder of the season. Another position Saban and Alabama have never experienced in the College Football Playoff existence is controlling their destiny.
Win, and play on.
Lose and the playoffs bubble bursts.
As the entire college football world converges on Tuscaloosa Saturday afternoon, the Tide cannot whiff on the most premier opponent they will face all regular season, at home, with a 31 home game-winning streak on the line.
Three players will need to make a significant impact on the game for Alabama to leave Bryant Denny Stadium victorious.