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For the second year in a row, Alabama and LSU tangle with a trip to Atlanta on the line.
This used to be Auburn's gig with the annual cat-fight to determine the West. While LSU remains a top team, Alabama has replaced Auburn as the dance partner.
For the Tigers perspective see Henry Ball's article.
It's hard to call this game a rivalry in Alabama because the game is rarely talked about until game week arrives. That's not a knock on LSU's ability, it's just that Alabama fans expend so much time and energy hating Tennessee and Auburn that there just isn't a lot left to throw the Tigers' way.
Plus LSU folks look so charming in their weird purple suits and stuff, it's just hard to hate them. That, and they usually have good food.
I don't recall that much bad blood in Louisiana until Alabama hired their former coach, Nick Saban. It's understandable, but it may be time for them to let it go. It's not like things have been terrible since Saban left for Miami.
As for the players, none of them were involved, so this is just about winning the game.
The only possible issue with the coaches is the psyche of Les Miles. His record at LSU, which includes a national championship season, is outstanding. Even with that success, there are lingering doubts about his ability. Miles' greatest success came with mostly Nick Saban-recruited players. Last year's sub-par season added fuel to that fire.
Miles is known for taking some wild chances in games. Conventional wisdom is to play hard, strong, and keep it close. Tennessee did that two weeks ago and nearly pulled off the victory with a few late plays.
Will Miles buck convention and pull some sort of stunt? If he does and it backfires, he could put LSU in a hole that they can't get out of late in the game. Alabama has some grave diggers at tailback and they can cover you with dirt before the body's even cold.
That said, let's look at the units.
Defense
Alabama employs a 3-4 base defense with a wide variety of options designed to combat the different types of offenses you see in the SEC.
When Alabama goes to the nickle defense, freshman linebacker Nico Johnson exits and the more versatile and experienced senior Corey Reamer moves over from the edge.
Alabama is a premier defense, but they have struggled to replace injured linebacker Dan'ta Hightower. Replacing him in the middle was one thing; replacing his edge rushing on the left side has become a major area of concern.
With two weeks to work on the problem, expect Alabama to get more creative with blitzing. The Tide defense has made far better and more experienced quarterbacks than LSU's Jordan Jefferson look rather bad. Expect an all out assault on Jefferson, both with the pass rush and confusing looks from the secondary.
Alabama may finally unleash sophomore linebacker Jarrell Harris. Harris spent the first half of the year suspended, thanks to running afoul with the NCAA this summer. The four-star recruit from Gadsden, AL has rare speed for a linebacker and can be a game changer if he's ready.
Alabama is virtually a stone-wall against the run. LSU just doesn't have the horses to make that work.
The problem with the run is nose-guard Terrence Cody. He doesn't make many tackles, but he occupies a center and guard on every play. That leaves one of the two middle linebackers unblocked and Alabama has some good ones.
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