3 players who could be X-Factors for Alabama football against LSU

Alabama football is refreshed from its bye week and ready to do battle with LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. Everyone is aware of what this game means. It's a playoff elimination game at Tiger Stadium.

Both Alabama and LSU enter the game with two losses and cannot afford another one if they want to keep hopes alive of a College Football Playoff berth.

Alabama had a difficult October, going 2-2 with road losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, but finished the month on a high note with a 34-0 rout of Missouri at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

LSU lost its season opener to USC but won six in a row after that before running into a buzzsaw in College Station against Texas A&M.

If Alabama wants to go on the road and win its first SEC road game of the season, it will take X-Factors stepping up and making plays in critical moments. Let's examine three players who could do that for Alabama:

3 X-Factors for Alabama

3. Robbie Ouzts

Robbie Ouzts continues to be one of the most unheralded players on the Alabama offense. He only has four catches for 24 yards on the season, but Ouzts' value is not as a pass catcher. He's one of the best blocking tight ends in the country.

Ouzts just likes to hit people. If you see Alabama breaking a big run, Ouzts is usually one of the guys making a key block to help spring the play.

Ouzts has soft hands and can be a reliable target. Don't be surprised to see him make a big catch or two against LSU, though his main value will continue to be his ability as a blocker.

2. Justice Haynes

LSU struggles to stop the QB runs. That's why they lost to Texas A&M. Alabama knows it, but so does LSU. The Tigers will do what they can to mitigate the Jalen Milroe run game, which means the Crimson Tide needs to be prepared to run the ball traditionally in case the designed QB runs are taken away.

For my money, Haynes had his best overall game in an Alabama uniform two weeks ago againt Missouri. He finished with 79 yards on 8 carries and scored a touchdown. He looked more decisive and shiftier, and Alabama's ground game flourished as a result.

Alabama may have found its offensive identity in the win over Missouri. The power run game with Milroe and Haynes and Jam Miller with a talented offensive line can be overwhelming. It's up to Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan to stick with the run and not give up on it if it's a slow burn early on.

1. LT Overton

The LT Overton breakout game is coming. He has two sacks on the season, but he is among the nation's leaders in pass rush win rate and pressure percentage. He has to get better at finishing plays, but he has been a disruptive force up front.

Garrett Nussmeier might be the best QB Alabama has faced this season; he's got the ability to hit some big plays deep against a young secondary. Alabama has to bring pressure and affect the QB or it could be a shootout in Baton Rouge.

I think Overton has a big game, and maybe won't be penalized this week for playing football like he was against Missouri.