College Football Rankings: Analyzing the Upcoming LSU and Alabama Matchup

This is this most anticipated matchup of the week and of the whole season. People everywhere are dying to get their hands on tickets to this game, some of the tickets are valued at $10,000 right now due to the high demand.

This is the game of the year. Two undefeated teams face each other. It’s No. 1 vs. No. 2. It’s not just another college football game.  This is a rare matchup in the history of BCS, as it is the fifth time a BCS 1-vs-2 matchup occurred in the regular season.  

As we count down to the final hours of this matchup, let’s analyze to see who will have the upper hand in this upcoming game.

Alabama Offense

Both teams offenses have scored an average of 39 points a game. But, Alabama is looking at a tough matchup against an LSU defense who has only allowed an average of 11.9 points a game.

Quarterback AJ McCarron better keep a sharp eye on the defense, because the LSU Tigers have intercepted the ball one or two times in all but one game this season. In all 200 attempted passes he has thrown this season, only three were picked off. 

The strength of the Alabama offense this year is the rushing. They rank 14th in the nation overall in rushing yards. Twenty-seven of Alabama’s 40 TDs were rushing touchdowns. The LSU Tigers must contain Trent Richardson, a junior RB, with 989 yards and 17 touchdowns this season so far.

With a balanced passing game and rushing game, if one gets shut out by the Tigers, hopefully the other will step up. McCarron has thrown an average of 208 yards a game and Richardson has rushed an average of 123.63 per game. Against a strong rushing defense, the Crimson Tide offense might have to resort more to passing yards in this game.

LSU Offense

The last time Tigers quarterback, Jarrett Lee, played against Alabama at home, he completed four of his ten passes for 44 yards, threw an interception and was sacked twice. Now a senior, Lee looks to redeem himself at the Crimson Tide’s home field.

So far, he is having the best season of his career, throwing for 13 TDs in eight games and has 1,250 yards. He’s going to struggle against the Tide defense though, who have only allowed four passing touchdowns and have caught nine interceptions this year.

The rushing offense face a rushing defense better than their own. The Crimson Tide have only allowed an average of 44 rushing yards a game. The Tigers rushing offense have rushed an average of 189 yards a game and have scored 21 TDs.

If the offense can find the right balance against the Crimson Tide defense, they will be able to score, but don’t expect them to have a high scoring game.

Alabama Defense

The Crimson Tide defense is No. 1 in points against. They’ve only allowed an average of 6.7 points per game and have allowed only 44.9 rushing yards and 135.6 passing yards a game. The LSU Tigers are going to have a challenge against this defense.

The Alabama defense has been dominant this whole season and if they step up on Saturday night, they may be the important key in beating LSU. They have one of the best total defense in the nation—tied with Michigan Sate—allowing about three yards per play.

Alabama also has one of the best passing defenses in the nation. They are always covering the wide receivers and have limited the passing efficiency of their opponents in this game. Alabama’s only weakness is that they aren’t known for getting a lot of sacks in a game.

As long as they keep the passing efficiency down and the ball from moving, they may stop the Tigers from making any strong offensive plays.

LSU Defense

The Tigers are two behind Alabama’s defense in points allowed, at an average of 11.9 points. This is a defense that is based on the strength of fear. They’ve only allowed five passing and five rushing touchdowns this season. Unlike Alabama, the Tigers defense is known for attacking and hurrying the quarterback.  

LSU is the second best in the nation overall in turnover margins. If this defense can force a few turnovers from the Crimson Tide, this game will go to LSU.

Bryant-Denny Stadium

Alabama has sone of the most dedicated fans in football and Bryant-Denny Stadium is one of the loudest stadiums in the SEC. This week, the capacity may be the biggest it’s ever seen, making it even louder.

It’s going to be electric.

The fans presence is going to change the outcome of the game. For most players, this will be one of the biggest stages they are going to play on. Alabama will have a great crowd on Saturday and it will help fuel them.

Alabama and LSU Coaches

Coach Saban, of Alabama, is all about discipline and limiting mistakes made out in the field. Coach Miles, of LSU, gives his players the freedom to make their own decisions.

So, with Saban’s harsh discipline, Alabama will be working hard on limiting mistakes and penalties committed in the game.

Players and coaches love working for Miles. He is a coach that loves to take gambles. Sometimes his opponents don't even know what he is going to pull. It can make one wonder what type of gamble he might pull off against Alabama.

It’ll be fun to watch these two opposite coaches with winning teams face against each other.

Tune in this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET to watch this electrifying game on CBS.