Alabama Crimson Tide vs. LSU Tigers Complete Game Preview

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama-LSU has been a massive game every year, since Nick Saban came back to the SEC to coach Alabama after five years in Baton Rouge.

Both teams always seem to be in the thick of the SEC title race, and the game has national implications.

When the Tigers lost two early SEC West games in 2014, it looked like a little bit of the wind would come out of those sails this year.

Not so.

LSU beat Ole Miss two weeks ago, and the Rebels lost to Auburn on Saturday. That breaks the West wide-open again, putting Alabama in control of its own destiny and even opening up a scenario where the West could have a five-way tie that included LSU.

Now, this game is as important as any West game in November.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Date: Saturday, November 8

Time: 7:00 p.m. CT

Place: Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

TV: CBS

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network, LSU Sports Radio Network

Spread: Alabama by 6-6.5, according to OddsShark.com.

Alabama Keys to Victory

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Protect the football

Alabama quarterback Blake Sims will be facing the toughest environment he’s seen since taking over the quarterback job this season. A big responsibility for him will be taking care of the ball and not making game-changing plays for the other team. Two of his three interceptions this season have come away from Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Special teams

Alabama fans don’t have to be reminded of what lost the Crimson Tide the “Game of the Century” in 2011. They missed four field goals that night, any one of which would have been the difference in the game. Adam Griffith has missed four of his last six field goals since hitting his first seven to start the season.

LSU Keys to Victory

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Run the ball

That’s been the Tigers’ strength this year offensively. When they run the ball well, they have success. LSU has run the ball at least 50 times in six of its nine games this season. Two of those three games when it didn’t, it lost. That’s a trend that needs to continue this week.

Contain Blake Sims

LSU has been susceptible to rushing quarterbacks this year. Jeff Driskel went for 71. Nick Marshall rushed for 119. Dak Prescott had 105. Sims might be licking his chops. The Alabama quarterback hasn’t had too many designed runs but has been effective when pass plays breaks down.

Alabama Players to Watch

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Blake Sims

The Alabama quarterback will be in the spotlight in an extremely difficult environment. Sims should have opportunities to make plays with his feet if LSU’s past defensive performance is any indication.

Trey DePriest

Alabama’s senior middle linebacker should get a lot of playing time facing LSU’s punishing rushing attack. He’ll play a major role in slowing down Leonard Fournette, Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard.

LSU Players to Watch

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Leonard Fournette

LSU’s freshman running back leads the team in rushing with 657 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s living up to his 5-star billing and hitting his stride at the right time. He’ll be leaned on heavily against the team that finished runner-up for his signature out of high school.

Kwon Alexander

Another LSU player that came close to signing with Alabama, Alexander leads LSU in tackles with 57, despite missing the Louisiana-Monroe game. The junior linebacker will key the Tigers defense against Alabama’s explosive offense.

What They're Saying

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Alabama

Alabama coach Nick Saban on Fournette:

"I think just being a young player, he's got a lot more confidence right now because of the experience that he's gained throughout the season. He's got great size. He's a very instinctive runner. He's got really good speed, and he can run with power. He's difficult to tackle. A very physical player. They have a very physical team, and they're playing physical football right now."

Defensive end Jonathan Allen on the team’s mindset:

"It’s definitely a will thing. We’re so excited. I don’t feel like we’re going to have any problem with that. We’re so excited now, especially since we control our own destiny. We’re just going to go out there week-in and week-out and just focus on one game at a time. We’re really excited. We’re really pumped for these type of games. I don’t think this will be an issue for us."

LSU

LSU coach Les Miles on Alabama’s defense, per Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com:

"

I don't know that we'll find that we'll play against a team that year that has as quality a defense as this team.  They're big, strong and fast and play in the secondary.  Just a talented group.  Landon Collins, Louisiana native, is having a great year, making plays, and again, very, very talented guy and playing very, very well in the secondary.

"

Miles on Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, per Kleinpeter:

"

Well, Lane Kiffin is a very tactical guy, does a great job putting his offense in position to make plays.  Yeah, he's a talented coach and a guy that has ability.  We see advantages that have been explored by the play caller, and he's a very talented guy.

"

Prediction

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Alabama 31, LSU 20

Alabama takes advantage of the several mismatches it has. It stops the run for much of the game, but the Tigers get a few big plays on play action. Blake Sims has a big night for the Crimson Tide offense, making big plays and taking care of the ball. It’s close down to the end, but Alabama eventually pulls away.

Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats come from CFBStats. All recruit rankings come from 247Sports. 

Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.