LSU-Alabama: Why This Game Will Be QB Greg McElroy's Big Breakout

Who's afraid of the big bad bad wolf, uh, I mean Tiger? Certainly not Greg McElroy. And why should he be? Are you familiar with LSU's pass rush?

Guess what team rates near the bottom of the SEC in sacks this season?

You guessed it. Tied for last is LSU with only 11 sacks in eight games.

And guess which team rates as one of the best in the SEC in allowing the fewest sacks?

There you go, you guessed it, Alabama.

Will Greg McElroy have the time to look over the field to find his second and third options? You bet.

And with that time, will the defensive backs be too covered to get the completions? Not with history on the side of Alabama.

LSU was supposed to fix its defensive problems with the hiring of John Chavis, but Alabama has feasted on Chavis secondaries in the past and that was with an Eric Berry in the secondary. In fact, Alabama has a four-year record of having a receiver log a 100-yard-plus game against that feared Chavis defense.

But isn't this secondary supposed to be full of great athletes and top recruits? Yes, but they have completely underwhelmed opponents. They are among the bottom of the SEC in rankings.

With a healthier Colin Peek and all of the other receivers ready for another breakout game, McElroy now has the chance to shine in a highly anticipated nationally televised game.

But overall, they are a good team aren't they? Well aside from playing a complete game against an Auburn team that isn't setting the world on fire lately, they haven't exactly had an easy time against some of the mediocre teams in the SEC.

Remember, a goal line stand was necessary to beat lowly Mississippi State and they barely got by a 4-4 Georgia team. And as for the Florida game, they were simply pathetic, only scoring three points the entire game.

With Alabama having a similar, if not better defense, it would be hard to believe that they will score much more against the Tide defense.

Yes, this is truly a time for Alabama to shine against an opponent that is just not up to the same standard as Alabama, and it could easily the breakout game that Alabama fans have been wanting to see from Greg McElroy.

Having to dig up a goal line stand to beat the lowly Mississippi State Bulldogs and a less that inspiring 20-13 win over a 4-4 Georgia team hardly inspires confidence.