Alabama Football: A tight LSU game could be decided by special teams play

If two highly explosive offenses nearly match each other in points, Alabama football may need special teams play to take down LSU.

Given the offensive productivity of both Alabama football and LSU, a shootout is how the game will probably unfold. In that scenario, the team with a possessions advantage usually wins. The productivity of those possessions is the deciding factor.

When nearly every possession must yield points, field position also becomes a factor. Every component of special teams play, except points after TDs and field goals, affects field position.

Alabama football fans are never confident with Crimson Tide placekicking. It is scary to think a field goal could determine the outcome of the LSU game. Even missed PATs could be the decider in a game filled with touchdowns.

Let’s review the special teams components for the Crimson Tide and the Bengal Tigers. The presumption is made Crimson Tide freshman kicker, Will Reichard will not be available on Saturday.

Punters

LSU has 29-year-old Zach Von Rosenberg. He has been solid, averaging 43.54 yards-per-punt. After six seasons of minor-league baseball, Von Rosenberg shared punting duties in Baton Rouge until becoming the starter this season.

Alabama has walk-on freshman, Ty Perine. Perine has been a mid-season boost for the Crimson Tide after repeated weak performances from Skyler DeLong. Perine is averaging 47 yards-per-punt but has only punted four times. He also has one tackle on his stat sheet.

Placekickers

The Bengal Tigers have freshman, Cade York. His career stats are 11-for-13 on field goals. He has missed two of his last six field-goal attempts.  He is 2-of-4 from 40 yards or longer. York has also missed three extra points, including one in each of his last two games.

Alabama football must rely on redshirt sophomore, Joseph Bulovas. Bulovas missed six extra points last season. He has only missed one this year. In 2019, he is 5-of-7 in field goals and 19-of-25 in his Crimson Tide career. All his made field goals this season have been inside 40 yards.

Kickoff Returns

LSU is No. 1 in the SEC and No. 16 nationally with an average of 25.1 yards. The Crimson Tide is No. 6 in the SEC and No. 78 nationally with an average of 20.3 yards. Henry Ruggs III is the Tide’s leading kick returner with an average of 23.9 yards. The primary kick returner for LSU is Clyde Edwards-Hillaire with an average of 18 yards this season and 21.1 yards for his career.

Punt Returns

The Crimson Tide is No. 2 in the SEC and No. 3 nationally with an average of 21.4 yards. Jaylen Waddle is the No. 1 punt returner in the nation with an average of 21.6 yards. LSU is No. 6 in the SEC and No. 20 nationally with an average of 12.7 yards. The top returner for LSU is Derek Stingley Jr. who is No. 20 nationally with an average of 9.8 yards.

Kickoff Return Coverage

The Crimson Tide is No. 2 in the SEC and No. 4 nationally with an average of 15.5 yards. LSU is No. 13 in the SEC and No. 100 nationally with an average of 22.8 yards.

Punt Return Coverage

LSU is No. 2 in the SEC and No. 18 nationally with an average of 3.8 yards. The Crimson Tide is No. 5 in the SEC and No. 68 nationally with an average of 7.4 yards. It should be noted, Ty Perine gets significantly more hang-time on his punts than did Skyler DeLong.

Evaluating all the numbers, the Crimson Tide might have a slight edge. Jaylen Waddle gives Bama an opportunity for a game-changing return. How Bulovas and Perine will perform is hard to predict.