EPIC Battle

Bryant-Denny Stadium will be the site of the colossal SEC football
matchup on Nov. 5th with Alabama hosting LSU

Ladies and gentleman get your popcorn ready, ice down a couple cases of brews, hell cook up a few corn dogs if you feel so inclined because we are in for one hell of a ride this Saturday night. This game has just about every possible headline you can think of written all over it. Nick Satan...um I mean Saban leads his team out onto their home turf against his former team, the LSU Tigers, coached by The Mad Hatter himself, Les Miles. I am not affiliated with either school in any way, actually I try to distance myself from both as much as possible! But hey I am still a sports fan and this matchup is one that every sports fan should be waiting on pins and needles to watch. I mean I really can't wait. This has had Pre-National title game written all over it since the beginning of the season. Hell, I was pretty damn sure that both were going to be undefeated going into this game as early as last spring. Needless to say, the anticipation has been building for weeks now as we've watched both teams literally steamroll over their previous opponents en route to this goliath vs goliath matchup. I mean let's be serious people. This game has the POTENTIAL to be one of the greatest college football games ever played. I use the word 'potential' because that's just what it is. Potentially, we could see something that happens once-in-a-lifetime. I mean LSU could come in Saturday night and blow the top off Alabama and coast to a win, but I highly highly doubt that.

When certain games like this one come around every few seasons or so they tend to live up to the billing. It's like the football gods make sure that all the hype and anticipation was well worth it and they make sure to give all the die hard fans the intensely close game they are desparately seeking. (See Texas-USC National Championship game) In a game like this, it's almost like all the fans of both teams want to win and they each want to win a close, well-played and hard fought ballgame. Sure, a blowout by either side would be cool and all but only for the winning team. The real losers of such a blowout, one-sided victory for one of the teams are all of the neutral fans that want to see a legendary and unforgettable game. As a neutral fan in this one this is exactly what I want. I don't want to see Alabama with a 28 point lead halfway through the 3rd quarter. I'd probably just turn it off, continue drinking and enjoy the company of those around me. No, this game must live up to it all. College football wants and needs this game to be an epic battle.

I've been asked many times over the last few weeks who was going to win this game. I have an opinion but I will let you in on that at the end. For now, let's take a look at both teams:

Offense

So far, so good for Jarrett Lee in his 2011 campaign where
he has taken the reins to what is now HIS team

There is only so much to complain about if you're a coach or fan of either team. These offenses are both fundamentally sound. They both run and throw the ball very well. Let's look at QBs. Jarrett Lee currently is 98-155 with 1,250 yards and throwing for 13 TDs and only 1 interception. Not too bad if you ask me. Yes he's split some time with Jordan Jefferson, who can definitely still be a major factor in this game, but I fully believe Lee is the QB to lead the Tigers to a victory. This young man has been through the ringer over the last several years down on the bayou. I think all the rough times he's had has made him a tougher person and a better QB at that. Tide QB A.J. McCarron boasts some solid stats as well. Thus far he is 134-200 for 1,664 yards while throwing for 10 TDs and 3 interceptions. Great numbers for a first year starter in my opinion, especially in the SEC. My edge goes to Jarrett Lee here though. As a more experienced QB who knows this type of environment Lee can weather the storm and stay composed while keeping the Tigers in the game. McCarron will have the Crimson heavy crowd behind him and could benefit from smart playcalling. But, with Lee and the strong possibility that we see experienced QB Jordan Jefferson in this game I lean towards LSU slightly.

Trent Richardson is the leading Heisman Trophy
candidate so far this season

Now onto the running backs. Let's just say that neither team is lacking in this department. Alabama sports a solid rushing trio of Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and Jalston Fowler who have a combined 1,783 rushing yards through 8 games this season. Trent Richardson is the obvious leader of this group Richardson is a monster running downhill at as big 225 lbs. Richardson tops most Heisman Trophy lists at this point of the season and I wouldn't be suprised if he won it, especially if he leads the Tide to a victory this Saturday. Sitting at 989 yards he will undoubtedly reach the 1,000 yard mark in this game. Lacy is a good compliment with 465 yards this season. Across the field the Tigers have a solid three backs as well that inlcude Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Alfred Blue. Ware is the top back in their system who has amassed 512 yards this season. Ware is a bruising runner that is not afraid to hit the hole and take on a linebacker one-on-one. As good as he is I have to give the nod to Richardson and company. Trent Richardson had become the best running back in college football and playing in front of his home crowd he should be able to help keep the Tide offense on the field.

Rueben Randle is always a strong
threat in LSU's passing game

As it was with the running backs, the wide receiver's of both teams are exceptionally talented and extremely dangerous at any point in the game. The Tigers receiving corps is led by Rueben Randle who has amassed 638 yards. He is the Tigers' top target through the air. Randle had a great game against Alabama last season with 125 yards and a touchdown to go along with it. Odell Beckham, Deangelo Peterson and Russell Shepard also require a great deal of attention as they can explode at any moment. For the Tide, they lack the stud standout like Randle when they lost Julio Jones last season and it has been a receiver by committee season. Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks lead the Tide. Although it isn't a bad thing it is worth noting that Trent Richardson is the third leading receiver on the team with 212 yards, only 18 yards behind Hanks. This tells me that they aren't ask McCarron to do too much when throwing the ball which is limiting his mistakes and keeping the Tide on the field with the running game. But, what will happen when LSU slows down the running game? Is McCarron ready to use his receivers to make the big play(s) necessary to win? Soon we'll find out.

Defense

Holy Mary Mother of God, if you like to watch great defense then this is the game for you! In my opinion these two teams have the best defenses in the country hands down and without question. Both play hard-nosed defense and smother the opponent with timely blitzes and exceptional defensive line play. It's been fun watching each play this season, except when my team played Alabama, and there is a noticable difference in the hitting of these two teams and the rest of the country. Here's a little prview:

 Don't you just feel sorry for Aaron Rodgers' little brother Jordan, QB for Vanderbilt? I certainly do. As a redshirt junior he has played well for Vandy as of late. He is mobile and can use his legs to generate offense but..well...as you can see he couldn't quite get out of the way of the oncoming train that was Dont'a Hightower. Kirby Smart, Bama's defensive co-ordinator, will disguise the blitz extremely well and when his pack of hungry wolves come at you you better just fall on the ground. Hightower along with Courtney Upshaw are ready for the biggest game to date this season and they know it all leans on them to stop LSU's offense in order for the Tide to win this game.

Mississippi State's running back Vick Ballard learned first hand just how hard LSU's defense will hit you. I'm sure after this play the next huddle went something like this: Ballard - "Hey Relf", Relf - "Yeah buddy?", Ballard - "The next time you see me open out of the backfield in the middle of the field just throw it at my feet", Relf - "Man I feel ya bro, that hit was brutal, I'll take a sack for ya. What ya say?", Ballard - "That'd be great, share some of my pain."  Yes, I'm just poking a little fun but you can imagine it happening. Their defense is menacing and really don't care if they hurt you or not. This is the mentality of a great defense and both these teams think like this.

LSU's defense is coming in holding opponents to just over 251 yards per game this season and an average of a mere 4.0 yards per play. That is an incredible stat knowing that most teams have had to play catch up on LSU which means more passing and still they can only average 4.0 yards a play. In 8 games this season they have allowed just over 2,000 total yards from scrimmage, 1,398 passing and 613 rushing. The LSU defense is 3rd in the nation in points against them. teams are averaging only 11.5 points every game. This is especially impressive because they have played some very solid offensive teams in West Virginia, Oregon and Florida so far this season.

Alabama's defense is limiting opponents to only 180 yards per game, which is 70 yards less than LSU does, very impressive. This totals to an anemic 3.2 yards per play for opposing offenses, Ouch! Even when teams throw the ball more they can only average 3.2 yards a play which is unreal through 8 games in a season. Opponents have accumulated a total of only 1,444 yards against the stiff Bama defense this season, 1,085 passing and just 359 rushing yards. This particular Alabama defense is leading the nation in points allowed per game. They are allowing under a touchdown on average to opposing offenses with a 6.9 average. Playing such teams like Arkansas, Penn State and Florida thus far make this stat especially noteworthy.

How many highlights have you seen this season of Mathieu
stripping the ball carrier annd taking it to the house for a TD?

After reading up on stats and watching video on these tenacious defenses I've decided that it is just about impossible to decide which is better. But, witht hat being said, if you put a gun to my head (which I hope you don't) and made me choose one to go with it would be Alabama. I lke the experience that Upshaw and Hightower bring especially for a game of this magnitude. I'm not knocking LSU's defense at all, in fact I could make a very strong case as to why I'd take them too, but give me Alabama this Saturday especially at home. McCarron better always be watching his back because the Honey Bader aka Tyrann Mathieu will be lurking in the shadows ready to make his move and grab yet another loose ball and take it for a touchdown. Also, LSU's defensive line reminds me alot of Auburn's D-line last year only...much better. It should be a great matchup between them and the O-line of Alabama.

I am really hoping that this game turns out to be just what everyone is expecting it to be. Tickets are topping the $3,000 mark this week and people are planning their Saturday around being able to watch this game. I myself will be in Lexington, KY for the Ole Miss - UK game, I know great matchup right?, but shortly after I will be settled in front of a t.v. with dinner and a glass of some fine Kentucky bourbon ready for the festivities. I have even heard that Baton Rouge's largest high school has changed the time of their homecoming dance from 7 p.m. to 3 p.m. in order for everyone to be able to watch the game. Crazy world we live in, but I'm hoping it lives up to the expectations for everyone. Personally, I will be a spectator hoping for a great, nail-biting game. I do, however, have a small monetary bet on the Tide with a buddy who chose LSU. This is the same friend who was highly confident that Florida State would take down Oklahoma earlier this season, obviously I won that bet too. So if that is any notion as to who will win then it favors Alabama. Give me Nick Saban and his Alabama boys at home under the lights and I'll show you a Tide victory. I could be wrong but I guess we'll see. Plus, we all know how hard it is to beat Bama and the officials in Tuscaloosa. It's like playing a football game against the entire SEC front office with SEC Commissioner Mike Slive as the head referee. Congrats Auburn for being able to accomplish that feat not too long ago. If you want proof, well, then here you go:

This should make LSU fans just that much more pissed off for this coming weekend and get their competitive juices flowing a little bit earlier in the week. They really don't need any reminding about this awful blown call from two years ago in Bryant-Denny, but what can I say, I had to put this in here. (And if you're trying to tell yourself that they made the rght call then you're a fool) Also, no, I am not an LSU homer who is taking up for them. I could care less about the tigers, just offering my opinion on the matter. This is going to be a wonderful game and I hope everyone gets a chance to watch it. It has the potential to being one of the best, if not the best, ever played.