LSU vs. Alabama: Key Players to Watch in SEC Battle

We’re fortunate to witness a clash of SEC heavyweights Saturday night when the Alabama Crimson Tide host the LSU Tigers in a Tuscaloosa tussle. When these two teams get together, we know what to expect: tough, physical football and a fiercely competitive game. What will determine the outcome is the performance of these key players.

LSU: Zach Mettenberger, QB

Zach Mettenberger has been the second-best quarterback in the SEC this year, trailing only Johnny Manziel in yards, touchdowns and rating.

He’ll need to make big plays to win, but the opportunities will be there against an Alabama secondary that has been in a constant state of flux this season.

Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry are second and fourth, respectively, in receiving yards for the SEC, and they provide Mettenberger with reliable targets downfield. If he can take advantage of it and make some big plays, LSU will like its chances.

Alabama: Eddie Jackson, CB

Speaking of Beckham and Landry, Eddie Jackson will be the man charged with covering one of them. Jackson played extremely well to start the season but has since lost playing time to some other corners due to the aforementioned state of flux in the secondary.

Jackson has looked like the best player opposite Deion Blue, and his performance will be vitally important in determining the outcome of this game.

If he plays well and contains the two dangerous receivers, the Crimson Tide will be able to focus on stopping Jeremy Hill and the running game. If he can’t, the Tide defense will have a tough task of stopping a balanced Tigers offense.

LSU: Elliott Porter, C

LSU’s game plan revolves around star running back Jeremy Hill. He’s a physical and punishing runner who wears down a defense over the course of the game. The most important player for the success of Hill and the running game will be Elliott Porter.

Porter will be responsible for making the calls at the line of scrimmage to counter Alabama’s talented 3-4 front.

In a game between teams that like to run the football, the difference will be which team runs the ball better. Elliott Porter is a crucial part of making the Tigers rushing attack go, and he’ll need to play a flawless game.

Alabama: C.J. Mosley, LB

C.J. Mosley's performance will play a large role in determining the outcome of the game.

Like Porter, he’ll need to make the defensive calls at the line of scrimmage and be a physical presence with solid tackling against Jeremy Hill and the rushing attack.

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