When LSU and Alabama hook up on CBS at 3:30 p.m. EST Saturday, it will be the last important game on the SEC football schedule. Rivalries aside, this one has SEC Championship Game (not to mention BCS Championship Game) implications. Blogcritics’ Jay Skipworth and Josh Hathaway present cases for both teams and offer their picks for the big game.
Jay Skipworth's Three Reasons LSU will win:
1) Red Zone Defense
It’s one thing to give up yards to opposing teams and it’s another to limit scoring opportunities when teams are in the red zone. LSU leads the SEC (tied with Arkansas) in red zone defense. Opposing teams have only mustered 14 scores (eight TDs, 6 FGs) against 21 opportunities. Alabama has struggled in the red zone in recent games and the way LSU shuts down teams in position does not bode well for the Crimson Tide’s chances of cashing in on the Tigers.
2) LSU’s Defensive Backs
The LSU DBs are big, rangy and good enough to go man on man with Alabama's receiving corps. That can create opportunities for the front seven to apply pressure and stack up against the run game that powers Alabama’s rather one-sided offensive strategy. The DBs have garnered nine of the team’s 11 interceptions. Only one of these players is less than six feet tall and they play an aggressive style. If Alabama wants to establish balance sorely missing throughout the middle of the season, they are in for a tall order against the LSU defensive backfield.
3) Jordan Jefferson
He is not a Heisman quarterback, but he does something every coach wants in a signal caller – he protects the ball. Jefferson's completion percentage rests around 63% and his 11/4 TD/INT ratio ranks LSU in the top 5 of the SEC in categories of passing efficiency. That permeates throughout the offense. Through eight games, LSU has only turned the ball over seven times. Jefferson can get the ball down the field– average yards per pass attempt is just over seven yards – utilizing two big playmakers at wide receiver who have speed and size to work against multiple defensive looks. Jefferson’s mobility should not be overlooked either. He’s not a Tim Tebow (Florida) or a Josh Nesbitt (Georgia Tech), but he make plays with his feet. More importantly, he can roll away from pressure and make throws on the run or outside of the pocket. That’s a great weapon to have when you are facing a team that likes to blitz.
Article comments
1 - Josh Hathaway
We'll continue the argument below. Jay, you're right that LSU's offense has looked better of late. It helps to play Auburn and Tulane. Alabama's offense looked great against Fla. International and North Texas. LSU's offense, when facing a defense the caliber of Alabama's in Florida, did nothing. LSU's output isn't a trend until they do it against a real defense. They get their chance on Saturday.
2 - El Bicho
So if Jay picks Bama to win, shouldn't it read "Jay Skipworth's Three Reasons LSU could win, but I doubt it"
3 - Jay Skipworth
EL - yeah but then you wouldn't have read the whole thing
Josh - good points about LSU's offense. I just think the fact that a weapon like Charles Scott is relatively rested at this point in the season gives them something to work with. However, you are right - it is easy to look good against Auburn, Tulane, North Texas and Fla. Int'l. That's why this is the most important game of the season.
4 - Rocky
Do you think Shephard for LSU will be a factor in the game?