LSU AND ALABAMA

When the #9 LSU Tigers and #3 Alabama Crimson Tide take to the field on national television (CBS @ 3:30) Saturday afternoon we will be watching a game that will decide who gets to play Florida for a chance to play in the National Championship Game. It will have a play-off atmosphere in Tuscaloosa, AL on Saturday and emotions will be running high.


The Tide come into the game with a Heisman candidate running back in Mark Ingram and an offense that has a rushing attack ranked 13th in the nation . Bama will bring a tenacious defense that includes Thorpe Award candidate in corner back Javier Arenas. They do have a question mark in quarterback Greg McElroy. McElroy has been efficient this season throwing for 1,445 yards with nine touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He has come under fire lately for seeming to be not able to handle the pressure of a big game. This is a big game.


For LSU they will have to figure out a way to move the ball, the Tiger offense is ranked 100th in the country. (98th passing- 68th rushing). LSU will rely on the arm and legs of QB, sophomore Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson had his worst game of the season against Florida throwing for just 96 with 11 completions and no touchdowns and one interception in a 13-3 loss. Two weeks later he lit up Auburn for 242 yards and 2 td's.

Alabama brings the #4 ranked defense in the nation into the game giving up only 240 yards per game. On the flip side LSU brings the #15 ranked defense giving up only 293 yards per game. Don't expect a shoot-out.


Bama head coach Nick Saban broke a Tide five year losing streak to the Tigers last year with a 27-21 overtime victory. Saban was also head coach at LSU when they won the National Championship in 2003 before leaving to be the head coach in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.

Tiger head coach Les Miles also has a national championship with LSU in 2007. LSU became the first two loss team that season to capture the BCS with a win over Ohio State. Miles currently passed Saban to move to third on the list for coaching victories all time at LSU. Miles has the highest winning percentage of any LSU head coach at .792.