Fresh off a bye week, Alabama will host LSU this weekend in Tuscaloosa in search of an eighth straight win to take a step closer to the College Football Playoff and the SEC Championship Game.
Alabama figures to need to go 2-1 over its final three SEC games to clinch a spot in the playoff and Atlanta. Winning the first of those three would go a long way toward ensuring it happens.
Despite the turmoil in Baton Rouge surrounding a disappointing 5-3 record and the dismissal of head coach Brian Kelly, Alabama will still be facing one of the nation's most talented teams on Saturday night at Bryant-Denny. Not only are they talented, but the Tigers are extra motivated as well. It's going to be a full 60-minute fight - Alabama better be ready for an all-out war.
That has typically been the case when the Tide and Tigers meet. Even though Alabama has won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams, the matchups tend to be close and hotly contested, last season's Alabama blowout in Death Valley notwithstanding.
If Alabama wants to earn the win this weekend, it's going to need some players to step up in critical spots. Let's examine three guys who could do just that.
Alabama players who could be X-Factors vs. LSU
DL LT Overton
Senior defensive end LT Overton has already surpassed his sack numbers from a year ago. He's second on the team with three sacks, but it always feels like he's just a few inches away from being a completely dominating force on the Tide's defensive line.
This weekend against LSU could present a perfect opportunity for Overton to produce a monster performance. LSU's offensive line has struggled all year, and it doesn't help matters that they are banged up at left tackle.
Starting left tackle Tyree Adams is out with an ankle injury, and his backup - Carius Curne - suffered a leg injury two weeks ago against Texas A&M and is considered questionable for Saturday.
That means LSU could be starting a third-stringer at left tackle. Alabama's defensive line has a chance to impose its will. Overton could lead the charge.
RB Daniel Hill
The running game was a point of emphasis over the bye week. OC Ryan Grubb still believes Alabama can improve over the last month of the regular season to finally bring some balance to the offense. The ground game has been what has held the Tide back from having an elite offense instead of merely a good one.
Ty Simpson has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country, but he needs some help. Alabama ranks 121st in the country in rushing success rate, per Game on Paper.
Redshirt freshman Daniel Hill could be part of the solution. He's started to come into his own in recent weeks, both as a runner and as a receiver. He led Alabama in yards from scrimmage in the win over South Carolina. Even if he doesn't have a big day on the ground, his emergence as a receiver has been key to the Crimson Tide's offense.
He could be in for another big game this weekend.
WR Lotzeir Brooks
Alabama felt the absence of freshman WR Lotzeir Brooks during the close win over South Carolina two weeks ago. He should be 100% and ready to go against LSU. If that's the case, he could be in for a big game.
LSU has elite corners on the outside, and they will undoubtedly do everything they can to take away both Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams. That could allow the freshman Brooks to get some favorable matchups.
Brooks has been one of the breakout performers for the Tide's offense this year, producing 255 receiving yards on 16 receptions. The best is yet to come for the youngster, however, and a big performance against LSU would make him a household name.