LSU vs. Alabama: 5 Fatal Flaws That Could Cost Both Teams a Loss

For all of the hype surrounding the LSU-Alabama game, you would think that both of these teams play perfect football.

That is not the case.

Each of these teams has its faults and the team that can best capitalize on them will likely win the game.

Here are the five fatal flaws that could cost these teams the “Game of the Century.”

Quarterback Play

The starting quarterbacks have done really well this season but there are still some lingering issues for both teams.

Alabama’s AJ McCarron is a first year starter and while he has played some great defenses, he has never been in a game with as much meaning as this one. Many players have not been able to handle the pressure of big games and it wouldn’t be surprising if he couldn’t either.

For LSU, the return of Jordan Jefferson could damage the Tigers in terms of team chemistry and predictability on offense. He is not as good of a passer as Jarrett Lee and Lee isn’t as good of a scrambler as Jefferson. The Alabama defense will play their defense according to which quarterback is in the game.

Alabama: Punting

The Tide can return punts really well with Marquis Maze but getting the ball downfield has been a problem all season.

Cody Mandell is not in competition with LSU’s Brad Wing who is averaging a full five yards more on punts.

Alabama is also not nearly as good as the Tigers at defending punts. They're No. 38 in the country compared to LSU being No. 3.

Considering how many times each team is expected to punt, LSU may get enough advantage in field position to get a field goal where they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.

LSU: Offensive Yards

Surprisingly enough, LSU ranks 81st in the country in offensive yards per game even though they rank 12th in points scored.

A lot of their points come off of field position gained by punting, kickoffs and turnovers instead of long drives.

This will be a big problem against Alabama because the Tigers have never played a defense even close to as good as the Tide’s this season.

Alabama: Red-Zone Offense

All too often Alabama has to settle for a field goal inside the red zone. There are only eight teams in the country who have kicked as many or more red-zone field goals as the Tide.

In a game as close this one will likely be, the difference between three and seven points is gigantic and the Tide’s offensive line has been dealing with a lot of injuries. They will need to take advantage of all of the opportunities given to them by LSU.

LSU: Red-Zone Defense

Somehow the third best scoring defense in the country is giving up points in the red zone 94 percent of the time opponents get there. That has a lot to do with the Tigers only allowing 16 red-zone drives all season but the efficiency that opponents are scoring is alarming—94 percent is 117th out of 120 teams in the country.

Alabama has been able to move the ball with ease for most of the season and kicker Jeremy Shelley has only missed two field goals all season.

LSU will have to do better at stopping the Tide in the red zone than they have with other opponents.