LSU vs. Alabama: Game of the Week Breakdown

LSU and Alabama will square off in Tuscaloosa in Week 10. Each team had a bye in Week 9, attaching a Super Bowl-like hype to this epic SEC matchup.

Both teams are 8-0. Both teams have dominant ground games, and both teams have top five scoring defenses.

The similarities—and talent—between these two teams make the matchup more intriguing. Neither team gives an inch on either side of the ball.

For all intents and purposes, this is the national championship game for some football fans. The two most talented teams will not meet at the end of the season because of this Week 10 matchup.

The winner gains the inside track to a national title berth. The loser is probably looking at the Sugar Bowl.

Game of the Week? Absolutely. Game of the year? Anything less would be a disappointment.

Here is how this momentous matchup breaks down:

The Quarterbacks

Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron has done an underrated job for Alabama this season.

McCarron won't wow you with big plays, but he has proven to be a solid game manager for the Tide. He has 10 touchdowns and three interceptions to go along with 1,664 yards.

The Tide don't normally need much else from McCarron because of their defense and run game. However, this week McCarron will need to stretch the field. If he can't keep the LSU defense honest, the Alabama ground game will not be successful.

LSU will use two quarterbacks on Saturday. Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson will share the duties. Each brings his own element to the Tiger offense.

Lee is a game manager, like McCarron. He has over 1,200 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception.

Jefferson has not played the whole season because of an early suspension. However, he has four total touchdowns since his return. Two are through the air and two are on the ground.

Normally, quarterback-by-committee is a bad idea. But LSU makes it work. The experience and versatility of Jefferson and Lee give the Tigers the edge behind center.

The Running Backs

Alabama's Trent Richardson is the best skill player in this game—and possibly anywhere else.

Richardson's 989 yards and 17 touchdowns have him in the thick of the Heisman race after nine weeks. He also has over 200 yards receiving and one receiving touchdown.

Eddie Lacy adds almost 500 yards and five touchdowns to the Bama ground game.

Richardson's ability to run outside or inside will cause problems for a stout LSU front seven. Lacy will also need to carry his share, because of LSU's depth and toughness up front.

LSU's Spencer Ware gets overshadowed by other great SEC running backs. However, Ware is as important as anyone to this LSU team.

Ware has over 500 yards and six rushing touchdowns. He is a punishing north-south runner. His style fits LSU's mentality perfectly.

Michael Ford and Alfred Blue add a combined 10 rushing touchdowns to Ware's totals.

Both teams have depth and talent in the backfield. The Tide get the edge because of Richardson.

The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Neither LSU or Alabama normally rely on their passing attacks to win football games. Considering both of these defenses, each team will need to provide a better-than-usual pass game.

LSU does have Rueben Randle. He has over 600 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Randle is tall, athletic and has the ability to stretch the field vertically. He will need to provide fireworks in Week 10.

Odell Beckham and Russell Sheppard provide speed underneath, but neither have put up impressive numbers this season. Beckham has 27 catches, and will need to take some pressure off of Randle.

Alabama has even less to work with. None of their main wide receivers has more than one touchdown. Tight end Michael Williams has two, as does freshman wide receiver DeAndrew White.

Marquis Maze leads the Tide in receptions. He has playmaking ability but needs to show more consistency with his hands and route running.

LSU tight end DeAngelo Peterson is the best downfield threat for either team outside of its wide receivers.

Randle is the biggest impact receiver in Week 10. His proven ability, along with Beckham and Sheppard's speed, will need to play a big factor in an LSU victory.

The Offensive Lines

LSU and Alabama's offensive lines will play a huge factor in Week 10. Two incredible defenses will keep all the hogs up front very busy for both squads.

Alabama's boys up front must make sure LSU's tenacious front four does not penetrate the pocket. A.J. McCarron will need time to look downfield, and if he is rushed the LSU secondary will make him pay for the slightest mistake.

The Tide's offensive line must also generate running lanes for Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy. If they can, both running backs hold the advantage once they hit the second level of defenders.

LSU's offensive line will be under heavy fire all night. Alabama's linebackers may be the best in the nation, and Nick Saban will make sure LSU is aware of that early and often.

The Tigers front line must stay disciplined and make sure their quarterback stays upright.

Both teams have similar tasks up front: keep a very aggressive, talented defense out of the backfield.

LSU's line is solid, but Alabama's unit has been slightly more dominant this season. Don't expect that to change in Week 10.

The Defensive Lines

LSU's defensive line is downright scary at times. They create pressure from all angles with their strength and speed.

Barkevious Mingo and Sam Alexander provide the speed off of the edge. Mingo is a pure speed rusher. Look for the Tigers to line him up in several different spots on Saturday.

Michael Brockers will need to spearhead the LSU rush defense from his defensive tackle spot. Brockers must hold the point of attack and make sure Trent Richardson does not run rampant.

Alabama's strength on defense does not lie on the defensive line, but they are solid up front nonetheless.

Damion Square and Josh Chapman are both playmakers. These two will need to get pressure on Jarrett Lee, and make sure Jordan Jefferson is contained in the pocket.

LSU's defensive line is relied upon to make plays. Alabama's defensive line must allow the rest of the Alabama defense to make plays.

In this game, big plays will be at a minimum. Advantage LSU.

The Linebackers

Alabama's linebacking core is led by Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw.

Hightower is the leader. He provides stalwart tackling, and great instincts in the middle of the Crimson Tide's aggressive ball pursuit.

Upshaw is the Tide's most versatile linebacker and their best pass rusher.

As a unit, the Tide's linebackers must make plays from sideline-to-sideline. LSU will attempt to wear this unit down with Spencer Ware. If Alabama's linebackers cannot handle the assignment alone, the safeties will be forced to help. Pulling the safeties up will play right into LSU's hands.

LSU's linebacking core is led by Ryan Baker and Stefan Francois. Baker is undersized, but he plays with intelligence and tenacity. Francois is a converted defensive back and brings a ton of speed to the field.

Karnell Hatcher will also play a factor in the middle of the field for the Tigers.

Alabama will look to exploit LSU's linebackers with short passes and the ground game. LSU needs to get enough of a push up front to get a blocker on Bama's linebackers.

The Crimson Tide have too much talent, and they hold the advantage in this game.

The Secondaries

LSU can place a lot of its defensive success squarely on the shoulders of its secondary. Their talent and depth is unrivaled in college football.

Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne form the top cornerback duo in the nation. Mathieu is undersized but is arguably the best pure defensive playmaker in the country. He is extremely aggressive and has an almost superhuman nose for the football.

Claiborne is a pure cover corner. He has excellent ball skills, and the size to body up with Crimson Tide receivers. If Claiborne has a play, he will catch the ball.

Tharold Simon and Ron Brooks provide great depth at corner for the Tigers.

Alabama's cornerbacks are led by Dre Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick has not lived up to his full potential, but based on measurables there are few in his class. Kirkpatrick has excellent size and athleticism. If he plays with discipline he is the complete package.

At safety, each team has quality playmakers.

LSU's Brandon Taylor doesn't get the hubbub of Mathieu or Claiborne. However, he is the quiet leader of this LSU defense.

Alabama's Robert Lester and Mark Barron provide solid coverage, but are even better in run support. Lester is the better cover man. He led the SEC in interceptions in 2010.

Both units are great. If LSU's secondary has a rival, it is Alabama's. However, LSU holds the edge because of their talent and takeaway ability.

The Kickers

A highly-contested, physical game could definitely come down to a minuscule margin. If so, the kickers will play a huge role in Bryant-Deny Stadium.

LSU kicker Drew Alleman is 10/12 on the season. His long is 44 yards. Alleman has missed one extra point this season.

Alabama will hand their placekicking duties to Jeremy Shelley. He is 11/13 with a long, or short, of 37. Shelley has also missed one extra point this season.

Both kickers are solid and proven presences. Alleman holds the slightest advantage because he has attempted—and made—longer field goals this season.

He may need every bit of that leg for a critical kick in Week 10.

Conclusion and Prediction

This is going to be an old-fashioned knock-'em-down, drag-'em-out battle. This won't be a game for the faint-of-heart, and it will be close up until the end.

In the end, the Tide will grab the victory.

Trent Richardson is not going to have his normal prolific performance. Richardson and Eddie Lacy will combine for 100 yards, and provide enough balance for A.J. McCarron to take some shots down the field.

Defensively, it's a push. Both defenses are excellent and picking one would be like pulling teeth. In terms of takeaways, LSU holds the advantage. However, Alabama's unit is experienced and very disciplined.

They also don't have to see Trent Richardson barreling toward them.

In a game without any real advantage for either side on paper, intangibles will play a major factor. Alabama is slightly more disciplined on both sides. Balance on offense will also be a pivotal factor in Saturday's outcome.

Home-field advantage, a workhorse backfield and a downright scary defense gives Alabama the edge.

Ever so slightly.

Final score: Alabama 17 LSU 16