NCAA Football: LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Two of the top three teams in college football will square off under the lights at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. The third ranked LSU Tigers will host the number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in what should be an extremely competitive game. Alabama beat LSU 24-10 a season ago, and the Tigers will be out for revenge in this game.

Alabama currently sits atop the SEC West standings with a perfect 5-0 conference record. The Crimson Tide have yet to be challenged this season, outscoring their opponents by more than 30 points per game. LSU brings a 4-1 SEC record into this game, with their only loss being to the Florida Gators in week six of the season. Alabama is a whopping 15.0 point favorite over LSU in this game.

The LSU Tigers have given up just 15.1 points per game so far this season, which is the 7th best scoring defense in the nation. The Tigers are tied atop the interceptions leaderboard with 14 picks already this season. The LSU secondary is loaded with a ton of future NFL stars, but they will be tested by the Alabama passing attack in this game. All-American linebacker Devin White will be forced to miss the first half of this game after being ejected in the Tigers win over Mississippi State for targeting.

Running back Nick Brossette has been the offensive star for the Tigers this season. Brossette is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has recorded ten touchdowns on the ground. Quarterback Joe Burrow has shown flashes of greatness for LSU, but is completing just 53.8 percent of his passes so far this season. The LSU offense will need to sustain drives to give their defense a break in this game.

The Alabama Crimson Tide are averaging 54.1 points per game this season, making them the highest scoring team in the nation. Sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is putting up eye popping numbers in his first year as starter. Tagovailoa has thrown for 2,066 yards and 25 touchdowns already this season. Alabama can score points in bunches, but will face a tough defense in this game.

Alabama still features a top-10 defense this season, and they come in ranked second in terms of defensive efficiency. The Crimson Tide have allowed just 15.9 points per game this season, and they have been great at stopping the run. Look for Alabama to slow down Nick Brossette and the Tigers running attack in this game.

Alabama has been blowing out opponents all season long, but they have yet to face a team like LSU and an environment like Tiger Stadium. LSU knows that a win in this game would likely propel them to a spot in the College Football Playoffs and their defense will be ready. The Tigers don’t have the offense to beat the Crimson Tide, but their defense will keep it close. Alabama wins, but not by 15 points. Bet LSU +15.0 in this matchup with LSU on Saturday night.