#9 LSU Vs. #3 Alabama Preview: A Neutral Look at The Game

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#9 LSU at 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play heads to Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa to face #3 Alabama who is 8-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play . 

Alabama, who is coming off a bye week, is hoping to get the wheels turning again especially after their 12-10 performance against Tennessee two weeks ago. 

The Crimson Tide only gained a total of 256 yards and did not record a touchdown in the game. Thanks to field goals and Terrence Cody's field goal blocking skills they survived a scare. 

Don't be worried though that was their closet game so far this season. Alabama, prior to the Tennessee game, has beaten opponents by an average of 21 points. 

They have been lead by offensive star and Heisman hopeful Mark Ingram who has over 1,000 yards rushing with eight touchdowns along with three receiving touchdowns so far this season. 

Their quarterback Greg McElroy over the last three games has been shaky at best going 43/83 with 359 yards and two interceptions. 

On the opposing side LSU, whose lone loss came to Florida in a 13-3 defeat, has been rolling in the two games since. The Tigers have outscored their opponents in those games, Auburn and Tulane, 73 to 10. 

LSU has been averaging 26 points per game while opponents have been averaging just 12 points. 

There closest games have been the Mississippi State game and the controversial Georgia game. 

Quarterback Jordan Jefferson has gone 43/64 with 501 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions, and has also had one rushing touchdown over the past three games against Florida, Auburn, and Tulane. 

The Tigers rushing game is lead by Charles Scott who has a total of 459 yards with four touchdowns along with one receiving touchdown. 

So far this season Alabama's opponents total win-loss record sits at 30 and 34 and LSU's sits at 27 and 31. Neither team has played anyone who has been outstanding except LSU who has played Florida. 

Overall this game should be a good game to watch. Alabama's defense has so far only given up 91 points where as LSU's has given up 97. 

This game is Alabama's toughest test so far and it will be a tough game if LSU somehow finds a way to stop Ingram. LSU's defense has given up over 100 yards rushing in each game except Georgia and Tulane. So stopping Ingram could be a challenge. 

Alabama's key in this game will be to keep Jordan Jefferson quiet through the air and on the ground and do exactly what Florida did.

I believe LSU finds a way to squeak this one out by a point if all goes well but it could easily go into Alabama's favor if LSU can't control Ingram. I also think this game could possibly take more then four quarters to finish. 

You can catch the game on CBS at 3:30 p.m Eastern Time and 2:30 Central Time. 

Rankings are current BCS standings as of 11/1

Statistics courtesy of ESPN

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