To paraphrase Keith Jackson, the leaves have turned and the boys have become men. Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, iron sharpens iron.
No. 1 LSU (8-0) visits No. 2 Alabama (8-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday in the biggest college football regular-season game in recent memory.
Last week’s lack of a big game forced me to credit Texas Tech’s upset at Oklahoma. Then Tech embarrassed itself at home in a five-touchdown Iowa State whipping. One reader (anonymously) reminded me how stupid I was with a brief letter. As I declared on Twitter (@gabrieldbrooks), this space won’t be dedicated to Tech again soon.
Here’s a position-by-position look at Saturday’s showdown:
Quarterback — LSU’s Jarrett Lee has thrown 13 touchdowns and one interception, and Jordan Jefferson has been a change-of-pace dual threat since returning from suspension. Bama’s A.J. McCarron has thrown for more yardage, but he’s also less experienced. This is the biggest game to date of these three quarterbacks’ careers, but LSU’s tandem has more experience. Advantage: LSU.
Running back — Alabama’s two-headed monster — Heisman candidate Trent Richardson (123 yards per game, 17 rush TDs) and Eddie Lacy — is the nation’s best. Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard give LSU several quality options. Advantage: Alabama.
Receiver — LSU’s Rueben Randle is tied for the SEC lead in receiving touchdowns (7). True freshman Odell Beckham, Jr., son of former Marshall High School and LSU football player Odell Beckham, has been a dependable option (27 catches). Bama’s Marquis Maze is third in the SEC in receptions (39). The Tide has seven players with at least 10 grabs. Advantage: Even.
Offensive line — Alabama left tackle Barrett Jones is a Lombardi Award semifinalist. Jones, left guard Chance Warmack and center William Vlachos are the strength of Bama’s front. LSU may not have anyone as good as Jones, but the Tigers are deeper. They have played without Josh Dworaczyk, their best O-lineman, all season and haven’t suffered. Alabama is second in the SEC in fewest sacks allowed (12). LSU is first (7).Advantage: LSU.
Defensive line — It’s hard to compare the defensive fronts since LSU runs a 4-3 and Bama runs a 3-4. LSU sends defensive linemen in waves, including roadblocks Michael Brockers and Bennie Logan and athletic edge rushers Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo, a backup who leads LSU in tackles for loss (7.5). Advantage: LSU.
Linebacker — Lombardi candidates Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw exemplify the 3-4 defense’s size-and-strength linebacker mold. Upshaw leads the SEC in tackles for loss (11.5). Bama’s linebackers are the backbone of the nation’s No. 1 defense. Advantage: Alabama.
Secondary — LSU is loaded at cornerback with “the Honey Badger,” Tyrann Mathieu; preseason all-SEC pick Morris Claiborne; and Tharold Simon. Bama is untouchable at safety with Robert Lester and all-everything Mark Barron. LSU safeties Brandon Taylor and Eric Reid are the team’s top tacklers, an unusual trait for a defense ranked fourth nationally. Bama corners DeQuan Menzie and Dre Kirkpatrick cover well and hit like safeties. Advantage: Even.
Bottom line — Intangibles and coaching are on Alabama’s side. Les Miles has done a great job hushing the criticism of 2008-09, but Nick Saban is responsible forboth programs’ return to power. LSU has a slight special teams advantage with its punt coverage unit, which faces one of the nation’s best return men in Maze, but Bama has home field advantage and the motivation of giving Tuscaloosa a national champion in a year marred by the April 27 tornado tragedy. Prediction: Alabama 16, LSU 13.
(email: gbrooks@news-journal.com; Twitter: @gabrieldbrooks)
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