Alabama is in Baton Rouge this weekend to face LSU in a pivotal matchup for the College Football Playoff picture. The Crimson Tide potentially got an extra mulligan from the playoff committee with the No. 5 ranking, but the only guaranteed path to the playoff is by winning out from here.
LSU is a formidable opponent, and Alabama's chances of pulling off the road upset may depend on five starters who landed as questionable on Wednesday night's availability report.
It might also depend on a few other players being able to step into the spotlight and make plays in pivotal moments. The margins are thin in the SEC. The team that executes better in crunch time is typically the team that exits with the win.
Let's take a look at four Alabama players whose performances might determine the outcome, outside of the obvious guys like Keelon Russell.
1. Daniel Hill
Alabama is going to have to run the football effectively against LSU to have a chance at winning. This game can not be fully put on Keelon Russell's shoulders. Not against a talented defense in a raucous environment.
With EJ Crowell and AK Dear both questionable on the injury report, chances are Daniel Hill and Trae'shawn Brown are going to get the bulk of the work. Hill's ability to earn tough yards between the tackles could be pivotal.
In Alabama's best win of the season to date - the 45-17 win over Kentucky in Lexington - Hill had a career performance with 104 yards on 18 carries. After a week off, can he look rested and at full strength to potentially provide that level of impact again?
If he does, it'll go a long way toward Alabama coming out on top.
2. Racin Delgatty
Alabama's struggles running the football in the last two games coincided with starting center Racin Delgatty missing time after suffering an injury at the end of the Georgia game. Delgatty is officially listed as questionable, but it's currently trending toward him playing and starting at center.
That could make all the difference for the Crimson Tide's ground game. Delgatty's athleticism and ability to get out as a puller helped pave the way for Alabama's success early in the season.
If he can play on Saturday, Alabama will have its best chance to maintain balance on offense.
3. Chuck McDonald
It remains to be seen whether junior CB Zabien Brown will be able to play this weekend. He was one of the five starters listed as questionable on Wednesday's availability report. One interesting note from the Texas A&M game is that McDonald saw early action on the outside at CB instead of at Husky, where he has predominantly played the last two seasons.
He had to shift back to Husky when Red Morgan was ejected for targeting in the second quarter, but we could see McDonald get some more play on the outside against LSU, even if Brown makes his return. Dijon Lee and Carmelo O'Neal have struggled in coverage this season, and Kane Wommack could be looking for an alternative against LSU's talented receivers.
The bye week would have given McDonald even more time to acclimate to a new spot.
4. Yhonzae Pierre
We usually avoid putting "star" players in this spot, but Yhonzae Pierre's performance against LSU will be pivotal to Alabama's defensive success.
Pierre hasn't looked like the dominant edge rusher many expected in the preseason. He's managed just 3.5 sacks in eight games. He draws a ton of attention every game, and he hasn't been 100% himself but has gutted it out with a plethora of injuries around him.
If Pierre is close to full strength and can be a dominant force off the edge and make life difficult for LSU QB Sam Leavitt, it will be a huge boost for the Tide's defense.
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