While Alabama got a big boost in the College Football Playoff chase earlier this week with the committee ranking the Tide at No. 5 in the initial CFP poll, that hasn't changed the importance of this matchup against LSU.
While Alabama may have an additional mulligan, the only sure-fire way to the playoff is by winning out from here and finishing the regular season at 10-2.
Kalen DeBoer has gotten plenty of motivational assistance this week. There is significant doubt both nationally and locally that the Crimson Tide can go on the road and beat the Tigers in Baton Rouge. Alabama fans may have more doubts than the national media, which is a depressing and altogether true statement.
LSU is a hefty favorite. Good. This team tends to play better as an underdog. Alabama came into the season as an underdog and quickly rolled to a 5-0 start. Once that stopped, so did the winning. Alabama lost back-to-back games before bouncing back and beating Texas A&M.
The playoff committee might believe in this team. Not many others do. It's time to change that. It'll take a consistent, 60-minute effort from the team (and the coaching staff), but we've seen that this team is capable of playing great football. Now is the time to prove it again.
Alabama got a boost on Friday with three starters - WR Ryan Coleman-Williams, C Racin Delgatty, and DT Terrance Green being cleared to play. Getting Zabien Brown back would be a nice lift, too, but he remains questionable.
Betting odds for Alabama at LSU
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 5am ET on Saturday.
Spread: Alabama +6.5
Over/Under: 52.5
Moneyline: Alabama +184/LSU-220
Alabama vs. LSU game predictions
Some of the doubt in the fanbase has crept into the Bama Hammer team. We are usually pretty unanimous in picking the Crimson Tide. I mean, if we aren't going to believe in our team, who is, right?
But I'll be honest with you. I was leaning LSU myself until the other picks from our team were sent to me.
This will be a tough matchup. LSU has a really good team. But history is on Alabama's side. Kalen DeBoer is 8-0 in his last eight games coaching off a bye week. The Crimson Tide has also historically played well in Death Valley, holding a 30-10-3 all-time record in Baton Rouge.
I think Alabama bounces back after a well-timed bye week. Keelon Russell turns in a virtuoso performance, and the Tide finds balance with an effective ground game. The team we thought was a title contender at the start of October emerges again.
Picks:
John Mitchell: Alabama 30, LSU 27
Ron Evans: LSU 27, Alabama 24
Trevion Ware: Alabama 31, LSU 28
Dominic Giacobazzi: LSU 31, Alabama 20
Kyra Madore: Alabama 21, LSU 14
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