LSU vs. Alabama: Tigers Need Suspended Players Back for Monster Clash

The college football National Championship was moved to Nov. 5 for the 2011-2012 season.

At least it feels that way.

LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa to face No. 2 Alabama on the first Saturday in November. Both the Tigers and the Tide have impressively manhandled every opponent in their wakes to this point in the season.

This game should be rated R for excessive violence and abusive language. It will not be for the faint of heart.

There will be no fancy, spread sweep plays in this one. No spread offenses. Why?

Because both coaches know it doesn't work against these speedy defenses.

This game will resemble games played on Sundays. There is NFL-caliber talent at nearly every position for both teams. Look for the running game to set up playaction passing and a tightly contested finish. 

LSU will need all of its guns to win. Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Ware and Tharold Simon are all integral in a potential victory for the Tigers.

Here is why. 

Running Game: Part 1

Spencer Ware has shown up in big games for the Tigers in 2011.

I would say this is a big game.

Ware is averaging 99 yards per game versus West Virginia, Oregon and Mississippi State earlier in the season. He is the type of back that wears a defense down in the second half.

Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson need Ware to keep pressure off of the passing game. There is no doubt that if the running game is ineffective, Lee and Jefferson will be unable to throw against the Tide secondary. 

LSU's success on offense hinges on Ware's performance.  

Running Game: Part 2

Spencer Ware's presence makes Michael Ford and freshman Kenny Hilliard more formidable as change-of-pace alternatives.

Hilliard had 65 yards on 10 carries with his first two career touchdown runs. He was the biggest beneficiary from Ware's absence.

Hilliard is a mammoth freshman that has big potential in the SEC. He is also cousin of former NFL receiver Ike Hilliard. The experience he gained against Auburn could help in future campaigns. 

The other beneficiary was Ford. Ford had 12 carries for 82 yards and now has 441 yards on the season.

Ford, Hilliard and Alfred Blue all will have opportunities against the Crimson Tide. In a way, like the LSU offense, their success is proportional to how effective Ware is at pounding the Alabama defense. 

Mathieu the Playmaker

Tyrann Mathieu's game can be summed up in two ways.

His talk and his walk.

His walk is extremely impressive. He makes plays all over the field for the LSU defense and special teams.

Sure, the numbers are there. Three fumble returns, four forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns, impressive as they are, do not do justice to his impact on the field.

He is simply not afraid to take on the opponents' best receivers and shut them down for the duration of the game. It will be exciting to watch his matchup during the game versus Alabama.

The idea that numbers do not tell the whole story is appropriate for this undersized defensive back. 

Keep an eye on this stud corner to get a picture of what the heart and soul of the LSU defense is capable of doing.

Mathieu Moxie

As a neutral observer, it is fun to watch Tyrann Mathieu play.

It must suck to be a fan of the other team when watching this lightning bolt make big play after big play.

It's even worse to be the receiver lined up against No. 7.

When Patrick Peterson departed for the NFL Draft, who would have known the new No. 7 would have an even bigger impact on the college football scene.

Mathieu brings a swagger to the Tiger defense. He makes big plays, then lets the opponent know about it time and time again during the game. If nothing else, it gives his teammates the impression that there is no way No. 7 will allow LSU to lose.

Look for Mathieu to get in the heads of Alabama receivers and cause crucial drops in key situations.

Depth

Tharold Simon may be the third or fourth best corner on the LSU defense.

However, his importance cannot be ignored.

In fact, every second-string player better be prepared come Saturday, Nov. 5. Inevitably, a starter will get injured in a physical game such as this one.

One of the qualities that separates LSU and Alabama from the rest of the country is depth. The backups on defense for the Tigers could probably start on two-thirds of the rosters around the country.

It only takes one big play for a game to change. One blown coverage could make a difference. Simon will get multiple snaps on defense, therefore getting multiple chances to make a play or blow an assignment.

In other words, he better be ready.