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LSU football vs. Alabama: Score prediction, scouting report for mock CFP playoff game

Harry November 7, 2024

BATON ROU – LSU football and Alabama players know what’s at stake when two SEC rivals step into Tiger Stadium and lock the doors behind them on Saturday night (6:30 p.m., ABC).

College Football Playoff Hopes will remain with the winner, while the loser will watch the goal he scored at number 13/15 fade away LSU (6-2, 3-1 SEC) and No. 11/11 Alabama (6-2, 3-2)) in square shape.

The stakes are always high There’s a rivalry between the Tigers and the Tide, and even though he’s no longer chasing Nick Saban on Alabama’s sideline, that rivalry won’t have any impact.

Crimson Tide Currently projected to be in the 12-team CFP field, it sits at No. 11 in Tuesday night’s initial CFP rankings, with LSU at No. 15.

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Significant LSU football defensive rift against Alabama offense

Yes, we’ll get into LSU having to tackle Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe in a moment, but let’s talk about a wrinkle in this game that could also affect the outcome.

Alabama’s offense is terrible at converting third-and-longs. He’s like 132nd in FBS bad. The offense failed to get things going as Milroe and the Crimson Tide were forced to go off schedule and throw themselves behind the chains.

While LSU’s defense isn’t a world-class stopper on opponent third-down conversions, allowing a 39% first down, putting Alabama on third-and-long series could be beneficial.

Limiting Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe

LSU linebackers talked to reporters this week about not being fooled by the Tide’s snaps and shifts.

Alabama’s offense uses plenty of disguises with “window dressing” upfront, and there have been situations where Milroe has been able to take advantage of those situations both in the passing game and running the ball.

The Tigers’ defense was terrible last time out against Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed, and the hope is that the extra preparation time for Milroe and the read option play will make the difference for Blake Baker and his defense.

Can LSU find a running game against Alabama?

Freshman running back Caden Durham could be the most important player in LSU’s offense on Saturday night. Alabama allowed 151 yards per game in SEC play, so this is the tightest it’s ever been on the field.

But the biggest aspect of this will be the absence of senior left tackle Garrett Dellinger, who LSU coach Brian Kelly said last week had surgery on a high ankle sprain and will play against Alabama, and how ready sophomore Paul Mubenga will be .

LSU’s offensive line has struggled to run blocks with Dellinger on the roster, so bringing in a younger, more inexperienced backup isn’t exactly a sign of confidence. But for the sake of balance and to prevent predictability on offense, offensive coordinator Joe Sloan will have to dial up the running game to keep the Tide defense honest.