LSU vs. Alabama: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Saturday's biggest game pits SEC superpowers LSU against Alabama, and the stakes couldn't be higher for the Crimson Tide hosting the Tigers this weekend.

Alabama enters the game with an undefeated record of 8-0, having won five games already in the SEC. The Crimson Tide sit atop the BCS Standings heading into Week 11, leading Florida State and Oregon by a decent margin.

Heading into the final weeks of the season, Alabama appears poised for its third straight national title, but a loss to the Tigers on Saturday would likely put an end to such aspirations. 

LSU has lost two straight games to Alabama by a combined score of 42-17. 'Bama won last year 21-17 and blanked the Tigers in the title game two years ago. 

Les Miles' team has already lost two close games this year, falling to Georgia and Ole Miss by a combined total of six points. At 7-2, the Tigers are in third place behind the Crimson Tide and Auburn in the SEC West. 

Here's a look at when and where you can catch the action:

When: Saturday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

TV: CBS

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network, LSU Sports Radio Network

Spread: Alabama (-12.5) via Covers.com

LSU Injury Report (via USA Today)

Player	Pos.	Status/Updated
J.C. Copeland	FB	Prob Sat - Concussion - 11/5/13
Jeryl Brazil	DB	Out indefinitely - Personal - 10/24/13
Armand Williams	WR	Out for season - Knee - 9/6/13
Avery Peterson	WR	Out for season - Ankle - 9/6/13
Josh Williford	G	Out indefinitely - Concussion - 8/14/13

Alabama Injury Report (via USA Today)

Player	Pos.	Status/Updated
Bradley Sylve	DB	Prob Sat - Ankle - 11/5/13
Dakota Ball	DL	Ques Sat - Undisclosed - 11/3/13
Dalvin Tomlinson	DL	Ques Sat - Knee - 11/3/13
Wilson Love	DL	Ques Sat - Concussion - 11/3/13
Alvin Kamara	RB	Ques Sat - Knee - 11/3/13
Vinnie Sunseri	DB	Out for season - Knee - 10/21/13
Nick Perry	DB	Out indefinitely - Shoulder - 9/25/13

Will Zach Mettenberger Crack Nick Saban's Elite Defense?

Alabama allows just 9.8 points per game to lead the nation in scoring defense—and that's counting the 42 points Johnny Manziel and the Aggies dropped early in the season. Not counting that contest, the Crimson Tide allow just 5.1 points per game. 

Zach Mettenberger has blossomed into a fine college quarterback this season under offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, however. He's thrown for 2,492 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions, leading a Tigers offense that averages 40.2 points per game.

He performed well in his only previous start against Alabama, completing 68.6 percent of his passes for 298 yards and a touchdown last year in a losing cause. 

Mettenberger's recent two-game stretch is concerning, however, as he's thrown four touchdowns and five interceptions in his last two starts. Another turnover-filled performance against Alabama on Saturday will certainly doom LSU's chances of pulling off an upset on the road. 

Prediction

LSU's defensive front isn't as dominant this year as we've seen in years past. T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake should have big games running the ball, which should smooth the path for quarterback A.J. McCarron to pick apart the Tigers' secondary.

On the other side, look out for Alabama defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson to disrupt LSU's offensive line on a regular basis. The true freshman has already racked up five tackles for a loss and four sacks this season, and his strong play has been a catalyst for Alabama's defensive success.

Robinson's dominant play in the middle has opened up opportunities for Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and the rest of 'Bama's secondary to make game-changing plays, and we're likely to see a few of those this Saturday night when Mettenberger finds himself under heavy pressure.

Perhaps if this game was being contested at Tiger Stadium instead of in the heart of Roll-Tide country, the Tigers would have a chance.

Final Score

Alabama wins 21-13.

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