LSU vs. Alabama Rematch: 5 Crimson Tide Players Who Will Decide the Game

There's no doubting that for Alabama to take down LSU it will require a total team effort.

That being said, there are often a handful of players on the winning team that are the catalysts for the overall effort.

Will it be a huge play from someone on special teams or an unsung quarterback who may be coasting while being surrounded by talent?

Perhaps it will be the usual suspects who have guided the Crimson Tide to this game in New Orleans.

Here are my five players who will decide who takes home the crystal football in the Superdome.

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Marquis Maze

Marquis Maze is far and away the Tide's top target with 56 catches.

Who's in second?

Trent Richardson with a distant 27.

In the first matchup with LSU, Maze hauled in six catches for 61 yards which is hardly the type of game you need from your top receiver.

Maze was also held in check as a return man with only 26 yards on the opening kickoff.

In fact, Maze really hurt Alabama by not fielding a punt late in the fourth quarter that destroyed Alabama's field position. 

He claims it hit a high-flying camera wire, but I would wager that he may have been favoring his tweaked ankle at that part of the game.

Maze is a senior, and this is his last hurrah in a Crimson Tide uniform.

If there was ever a time when Alabama could use his playmaking skills, it's in this game against LSU.

He has the ability to turn a four-yard pass into a 30-yard gain with his uncanny knack for making defenders miss.

While Maze's redemption would be enough to fuel a great performance, he will be even more important in providing a reliable outlet for A.J. McCarron.

If Maze can get into the 75-100-yard receiving range and add on a big play or two in the return game, it will be a good night for Alabama.

A.J. McCarron

A.J. McCarron claims to have sat on his emotions in the first game with LSU and it showed.

He appeared reserved and not the fiery player that Nick Saban had to calm down against Florida.

It also showed in the passing game where McCarron's passes seemed to hang in the air a bit too long, but then again, LSU can make quarterbacks look that way.

It's quite obvious that the Tigers are game planning to shut down Trent Richardson. 

While John Chavis would never admit to it, he has to have utmost confidence in McCarron's inability to win this game for Alabama.

Normally, such a mentality would lead to opportunities for a quarterback, but the LSU secondary is skilled enough to play on an island while they defend the run.

McCarron needs to be smart, but not afraid to take some shots. He must be able to stretch the Tigers defense enough to open the game up for Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy.

This young quarterback has the talent to do it, but can he step up and show the nation that he isn't just a signal-caller who's along for the ride?

Trent Richardson

This one is the most obvious of the five.

Outside of the Alabama defense, Trent Richardson is the motor that makes the Crimson Tide go.

He had a solid game against LSU the first time, and really just needs to add to that performance Monday night.

Richardson was highly effective against the Tigers, catching the ball tallying five times for 80 yards with the longest for 39.

In fact, it appeared that LSU just seemed to forget about the Tide's second leading receiver. On the second play from scrimmage, Richardson lined up in the slot, popped out wide and took a quick pass from McCarron for an easy 22 yards down the sideline.

Something tells me that LSU will be paying closer attention to No. 3 in the Alabama passing game this time around.

You can't really shut down Trent Richardson. He's going to make plays, and the more touches he gets, the better for Alabama. With this likely being his last outing in Crimson, there's no need to hold back.

Nico Johnson

It's hard to pick just one player from the Alabama defense that will be a deciding factor, but I'm going with linebacker Nico Johnson.

Johnson led the Tide with 11 tackles on November 5th, and he, as well as the rest of the Crimson Tide linebacking corps, need to be at the top of their game with Jordan Jefferson under center.

Jefferson's ability to mix the run and pass provided a spark for the Tigers offense in the first meeting.

The junior linebacker, along with defense quarterback Dont'a Hightower, will need to be able to change mentality on a dime should Jefferson decide to pull down and take off.

His ability to fly to the ball will be key in Alabama, keeping the LSU offense at arm's length.

The Kickers

With most teams you'd be talking about the kicker.

Well, with Alabama, you have two: Cade Foster and Jeremy Shelley.

I can't think of a set of players seeking redemption more than these two, Foster especially.

With four misses in the first meeting, it's an understatement to say they had a profound effect on the earlier outcome.

Well, guess what? It is highly likely that one or both of these kickers will be called upon to put points on the board Monday night.

Foster also handles kickoffs, so Alabama will be depending on him to boot the ball as deep as possible when it comes to field position.

Make or miss, these two could be the difference.

They were once before, will they be again?