But as the #1 and #2 teams get ready to square off in tonight’s pivotal game let’s take an in-depth look at this matchup that is promising to be the game of the year in College Football. So take a look at who has the edge in each key matchup
Quarterback: LSU
The Tigers have seniors Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson running the show and also have a more diverse offense than Alabama’s. Sophomore A.J. McCarron is making his ninth game start and it has never faced an environment anywhere near to the one he will see tonight.
Running back: Alabama
LSU has good backs, but Trent Richardson is the best player around the area and a menace with a true ability to score from any distance. Backup Eddie Lacy has as many yards rushing as LSU’s leader, Spencer Ware, but Lacy is returning from a nagging turf toe injury. Alabama has the best run defense within the nation.
Receivers: LSU
Rueben Randle continues to be the Tigers’ playmaker and it is tied for that SEC lead in receiving touchdowns with seven. Tight end Deangelo Peterson’s receiving abilities lead him to a difficult game for Alabama’s linebackers and safeties.
LSU is fully healthy for the very first time in five games. Getting pads T-Bob Hebert and Will Blackwell back at their natural positions is vital and they are also boosted by P.J. Lonergan’s return from an ankle injury. Alabama’s line has some depth issues, however the Tide still leads the SEC in rushing attacks at 229.2 yards per game.
Defensive line: LSU
The LSU Tigers have a bit more complex of a defensive front scheme and call for their players to do a bit more in comparison to the Tide’s 3-4 D. Bama’s linemen mainly attempt to occupy blockers to allow the 4 linebackers to move freely.
Linebackers: Alabama
Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are perhaps the very best tandem in the united states with speed and power in their 260-pound frames. LSU’s Ryan Baker and Kevin Minter are more compact. Minter might find more action than normal as LSU most likely will remain in its base 4-3 defense a lot more than normal.
Secondary: Even
Both teams have great cover corners and difficult-striking safeties. Bama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick is a great game on Randle, but LSU cornerback Mo Claiborne is equally as good. And there is always the “Honey Badger,” Tyrann Mathieu, possibly the very best defensive playmaker around the area. Mark Barron and Robert Lester are larger than LSU’s safeties, Brandon Taylor and Eric Reid, however the Tigers’ tandem has got the edge in speed.
Special teams: Alabama
Final Score Prediction:
Alabama 37, LSU 28
| Date | Year | Location | Alabama Rank | LSU Rank | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 18 | 1895 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | LSU | 12-6 | ||
| November 29 | 1902 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | LSU | 11–0 | ||
| November 9 | 1903 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Alabama | 18–0 | ||
| December 2 | 1904 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Alabama | 11–0 | ||
| November 23 | 1907 | Mobile, Alabama | Alabama | 6–4 | ||
| November 25 | 1909 | Birmingham, Alabama | LSU | 12–6 | ||
| November 15 | 1919 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Alabama | 23–7 | ||
| November 11 | 1920 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Alabama | 21–0 | ||
| October 29 | 1921 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Tie | 7–7 | ||
| November 10 | 1922 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Alabama | 47–3 | ||
| November 16 | 1923 | Montgomery, Alabama | Alabama | 30–3 | ||
| October 10 | 1925 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Alabama | 42-0 | ||
| October 30 | 1926 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Alabama | 24–0 | ||
| October 8 | 1927 | Birmingham, Alabama | Tie | 0–0 | ||
| December 8 | 1928 | Birmingham, Alabama | Alabama | 31–0 | ||
| November 15 | 1930 | Montgomery, Alabama | Alabama | 33–0 | ||
| September 30 | 1944 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Tie | 27–27 | ||
| October 6 | 1945 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Alabama | 26–7 | ||
| November 9 | 1946 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 19 | LSU | 31–21 | |
| November 22 | 1947 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 8 | Alabama | 41–12 | |
| November 20 | 1948 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | LSU | 26–6 | ||
| September 29 | 1951 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 9 | LSU | 13–7 | |
| September 27 | 1952 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Alabama | 21–20 | ||
| September 26 | 1953 | Mobile, Alabama | 5 | Tie | 7–7 | |
| September 25 | 1954 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Alabama | 12–0 | ||
| September 28 | 1957 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | LSU | 28–0 | ||
| September 27 | 1958 | Mobile, Alabama | 15 | LSU | 13–3 | |
| November 7 | 1964 | Birmingham, Alabama | 3 | 8 | Alabama | 17–9 |
| November 6 | 1965 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 5 | Alabama | 31–7 | |
| November 5 | 1966 | Birmingham, Alabama | 4 | Alabama | 21–0 | |
| November 11 | 1967 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Alabama | 7–6 | ||
| November 9 | 1968 | Birmingham, Alabama | 20 | Alabama | 16–7 | |
| November 8 | 1969 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 12 | LSU | 20–15 | |
| November 7 | 1970 | Birmingham, Alabama | 19 | 11 | LSU | 14–9 |
| November 6 | 1971 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 4 | 18 | Alabama | 14–7 |
| November 11 | 1972 | Birmingham, Alabama | 2 | 6 | Alabama | 35–21 |
| November 22 | 1973 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 2 | 7 | Alabama | 21–7 |
| November 9 | 1974 | Birmingham, Alabama | 3 | Alabama | 30–0 | |
| November 9 | 1975 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 5 | Alabama | 23–10 | |
| November 6 | 1976 | Birmingham, Alabama | 15 | Alabama | 28–17 | |
| November 5 | 1977 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 2 | 18 | Alabama | 24–3 |
| November 11 | 1978 | Birmingham, Alabama | 3 | 10 | Alabama | 31–10 |
| November 10 | 1979 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 1 | Alabama | 3–0 | |
| November 8 | 1980 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 6 | Alabama | 28–7 | |
| September 5 | 1981 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 2 | Alabama | 24–7 | |
| November 6 | 1982 | Birmingham, Alabama | 8 | 11 | LSU | 20–10 |
| November 5 | 1983 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 19 | Alabama | 32–26 | |
| November 10 | 1984 | Birmingham, Alabama | 12 | LSU | 16–14 | |
| November 9 | 1985 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 20 | 15 | Tie | 14–14 |
| November 8 | 1986 | Birmingham, Alabama | 6 | 18 | LSU | 14–10 |
| November 7 | 1987 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 13 | 5 | Alabama | 22–10 |
| November 5 | 1988 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 18 | 13 | LSU | 19–18 |
| November 11 | 1989 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 4 | Alabama | 32–16 | |
| November 10 | 1990 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Alabama | 24–3 | ||
| November 9 | 1991 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 8 | Alabama | 20–17 | |
| November 7 | 1992 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 3 | Alabama | 31–11 | |
| November 6 | 1993 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 5 | LSU | 17–13 | |
| November 5 | 1994 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 6 | Alabama | 35–17 | |
| November 4 | 1995 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 17 | Alabama | 10–3 | |
| November 9 | 1996 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 10 | Alabama | 26–0 | |
| November 8 | 1997 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 14 | LSU | 27–0 | |
| November 7 | 1998 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Alabama | 22–16 | ||
| November 6 | 1999 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 12 | Alabama | 23–17 | |
| November 4 | 2000 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | LSU | 30–28 | ||
| November 3 | 2001 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | LSU | 30–14 | ||
| November 16 | 2002 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 10 | 14 | Alabama | 31–0 |
| November 15 | 2003 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 4 | LSU | 27–3 | |
| November 13 | 2004 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 17 | LSU | 26–10 | |
| November 12 | 2005 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 4 | 5 | LSU | 16–13 OT |
| November 11 | 2006 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 12 | LSU | 28–14 | |
| November 3 | 2007 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 17 | 3 | LSU | 41–34 |
| November 8 | 2008 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 1 | 15 | Alabama | 27–21 OT |
| November 7 | 2009 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 3 | 9 | Alabama | 24-15 |
| November 6 | 2010 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 5 | 12 | LSU | 24-21 |
| November 5 | 2011 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 2 | 1 | ||
| Rankings from AP Poll | ||||||