Nov 74 min read

Battle in the Bayou: No. 15 LSU Hosts No. 11 Alabama

The No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) will face off against the No. 15 LSU Tigers (6-2, 3-1) at 7:30 PM on Nov. 9. The game will be held at Tiger Stadium, sometimes referred to as "Death Valley," in Baton Rouge, La. in front of what will surely be a raucous nighttime crowd. This matchup will have major College Football Playoff implications, essentially serving as an elimination game. That adds a little lagniappe to an already intense clash between these rivals.

Both teams enter this matchup with two losses, and neither can afford another if they aim to maintain their playoff and SEC championship aspirations. While a loss to Alabama wouldn't eliminate LSU from an SEC Championship game appearance, it would most likely knock them out of the playoffs. Alabama would be eliminated from both with a loss.

What's at Stake

A win in "Death Valley" at night would be a big feather in the cap for first-year Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, who already has losses against No. 7 Tennessee (7-1, 4-1) and No. 24 Vanderbilt (6-3, 3-2). After 17 years of Nick Saban, Alabama fans may be just a bit spoiled and many aren't happy with those defeats. DeBoer's job is safe win or lose, but a win would go a long way in ensuring the Crimson Tide faithful they have the right man for the job.

This is Brian Kelly's third season at the helm of the LSU Tigers. Kelly has been successful at LSU, making an SEC Championship game appearance in his first year and coaching Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in his second. The next step is making the playoffs and winning the national championship. If Kelly and the Tigers are going to make that step this season, then a win against the Tide is a must.

Key Players: Alabama

QB Jalen Milroe

Milroe's play has been up and down this season and which version shows up against LSU will be a big factor in the game. Milroe has shined at times, like in the first half against No. 3 Georgia (7-1, 5-1), and has looked lost at times like against Tennessee. Milroe played a solid game against Missouri (6-2, 2-2) in his last outing, spreading the ball out to multiple receivers, not forcing the long ball and utilizing his legs when needed. Milroe will need to have a similar performance if the Tide is going to defeat LSU.

Safety Bray Hubbard

With Keon Sabb out for the year with a broken foot, Hubbard has stepped into the strong safety position. Hubbard was the highest-graded safety for Week 9 in the SEC, according to PFF. Hubbard recorded 7 tackles and an interception against the Missouri Tigers. The young Hubbard will have his work cut out for him defending against the electric LSU passing attack under the lights of Tiger Stadium.

Key Players: LSU

QB Garrett Nussmeier

Nussmeier is one of the best quarterbacks in the country but has been prone to turnovers lately, throwing 7 INTs over his last four games. Nussmeier threw for 405 yards and 2 TDs against No. 14 Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1), but his 3 INTs cost LSU the game. If Nussmeier can leave his turnover woes behind and play a clean game against the Tide, then LSU will be hard to beat.

LB Whit Weeks

Weeks has emerged as the leader of the LSU defense after Harold Perkins Jr. was lost for the season due to an injury back in September. Weeks leads the SEC in tackles against Power Four opponents averaging nearly 10 tackles a game. If the Tigers decide to put a spy on Milroe, then the job will likely go to Weeks. Spying Milroe is no easy task and if that's what's asked of him, then Weeks will need to be on his A-game.

Trends to Watch

The team that can better establish the run will have the advantage in this game. LSU is last in the SEC, averaging 115.3 rushing yards a game, while Alabama averages 177.6 yards a game on the ground, good for fifth in the SEC. Defensively, LSU holds the edge in the run game, allowing 130.8 yards a game compared to 144.5 yards a game for Alabama. These teams are dangerous in the vertical passing game but must establish the run to open up big pass plays.

Milroe in the run game could be an issue for the LSU defense. Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed rushed for 69 yards and 3 TDs against the LSU defense in less than two quarters. Reed came in after Conner Weigman was benched in the third quarter and led the Aggies to a comeback victory against the Tigers after being down 7-17 at the half.

The noise and overall atmosphere in Tiger Stadium will be a factor. There aren't many places harder to play in than "Death Valley" at night for a visiting team. Alabama will need to take the lead early if they're to have a chance to take the crowd out of the game.