LSU vs Alabama: Breaking Down the Unit Matchups

LSU and Alabama have found their way to the top of the elite in college football so far in 2011, hitting on all cylinders at the midway point in the season.

Both teams have national title aspirations, but the annual contest between them is just around the corner. Nov. 5 should have a "save the date" on your calendar, because this will be one of the best games of the season.

This contest will likely contain the winner of the national title and is sure to contain the winner of the SEC West. The SEC is at an all-time talent high, and that is saying something, but these two teams are the best in class at this point.

This will be a contest that will be focused on defense, but big plays from special teams may be the difference. Looking ahead to this huge contest, here is a breakdown of which unit has the edge for the contest between the Tide and Tigers in two weeks.

Offense

Alabama has been efficient through the air and on the ground, as the offense is almost perfectly balanced. The Tide offense has produced 1,302 rushing yards and 1,307 passing yards so far this season. What the Tide has been able to do is spread the ball around to multiple playmakers in both the passing and the rushing game.

The Tide has been able to be extremely efficient on the ground, allowing the pass to open up for A.J. McCarron. McCarron has found 14 different receivers this season, showing an ability to find the open man in space.

The bulk of the rushing production has come from Trent Richardson, while Eddie Lacy does have a bulk of carries to himself. The Tide has found their groove offensively and look to continue to grow around their young quarterback.

LSU has been equally balanced on the offensive side of the ball, producing 1,100 yards through the air and 1,101 on the ground. Jarrett Lee has been extremely efficient through the air, tossing eight touchdowns and only one interception.

The Tigers have spread the ball to multiple receivers as well, but Reuben Randle and Odell Beckham have been the primary role-players in the passing game for LSU.

LSU's offensive diversity comes from their rushing attack. They have three players who carry consistently, but 11 different players have registered carries for the Tigers.

Offensively, the edge has to go to the Tigers from LSU. The Alabama backs have a slight edge, but the LSU receivers and experience at quarterback take the lead for the Tigers.

Edge: LSU 

Defense

LSU has one of the most talented defenses in the country year after year. They have a wealth of team speed and an undeniable presence in the secondary. Players like Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne help seal the defensive backfield for the Tigers.

The defensive line is a very tenacious group that gets to the opposing quarterback with a vengeance. They are a very aggressive group that leaves no play without striking someone, somewhere.

LSU's one fault is a lack of discipline at times. They will give more plays away than necessary at times.

The Alabama defense is just as talented, and has more leadership than their counterpart. They are equally aggressive and have a very fast attack mentality.

Players like Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw are anchors for the defense. They play at a high level and expect the same from their teammates. Alabama is better known for its skill and assignment football; discipline rules the day on the 'Bama defense.

The edge here goes to Alabama for their experience and overall discipline across the board. Level heads make sure tackles.

Edge: Alabama

Special Teams

Both of these teams have breakout players who perform on special teams.

Alabama places Marquis Maze and Trent Richardson back for kickoffs, and Maze is the punt returner for the Tide. He has one touchdown already this season on a punt return.

The kicking situation for the Tide has been consistent all year, with Jeremy Shelley taking the majority of the kicks. He is at 80 percent on the year for field goals and has hit 28 of 29 extra points. Alabama's punter has been a little shaky, only averaging 38.63 yards a punt.

LSU has its own return threats in Morris Claiborne on kickoffs and Tyrann Mathieu on punts. Claiborne has already taken one kickoff back for a touchdown this season.

The Tigers are virtually the same with Alabama when it comes to place kicking statistics. Drew Alleman is 27 of 28 on extra points and 80 percent on field goals. Punting is where the Tigers take the slight edge, though; they are averaging 41.39 yards a punt.

The edge goes to LSU in special teams with the LSU punting average making the difference.

Edge: LSU

Coaching

Both Les Miles and Nick Saban are in elite company in the college football coaching world. They each have won championships and have consistently produced winning teams on the field. No matter the process difference, the end result is the same.

That being said, despite the ability to always seem to win, the edge has to go to Nick Saban here. Saban is a technically-sound, defensive-minded coach who requires excellence on the field from his players. You may not like his style or demeanor, but it breeds results.

Miles tends to carry a bit of luck with his wins, but when does it cease being luck and become just being good?

Who knows that answer, but at the end of the day, Saban is the safe bet.

Edge: Alabama

Intangibles

Both of these teams have talented athletes on both sides of the ball. They have elite facilities to practice in and elite coaches to prepare them.

When teams are this close to each other, the only separator is the intangibles—the unspoken and unquantifiable things that make a team great.

You can't measure leadership or chemistry on a team. But you can view how that team performs and judge how they handle adversity. You can look at on-field instruction from player to player and understand the relationships that have been forged through leadership.

Maturity is another huge part of the intangibles of a team. These two teams have it, but Alabama has the more grounded and more proven leadership.

At the end of the day, this game will come down to who can handle the pressure better. The game is in Tuscaloosa, and the Tide has the advantage with intangibles based on experience and the lack of controversy at a major position.

For LSU to perform seamlessly, the quarterback issue has to be put to rest. Until it is, they lose the edge in this game.

Edge: Alabama