LSU vs Alabama: Report Card Grades for All 22 Starters on Each Team

We all know that Saturday's matchup between LSU and Alabama is going to be a huge game between two powerful teams.

The game will be hard fought, and while coaching and loud fans will make an impact, the game will no doubt be decided by big plays from the players.

Forty-four starters on offense and defense will line up and decide man-to-man who is the best team in the nation.

To begin to look at who could make these big plays, we will look at how each of these players grade out to this point in the season?

Click through the slide show to see my grading of every starter and every unit...

Alabama Secondary

Cornerback: Dre Kirkpatrick

Grade: A

Cornerback: DeQuan Menzie

Grade: B

Safety: Mark Barron

Grade: A+ 

Safety: Robert Lester

Grade: A-
 

Unit Summary: This secondary is athletic and fast and one of the very best defensive backfields in the nation.

Alabama is only allowing just 135 passing yards per game. This unit also hits hard and is a big part of a dominant Alabama rush defense that is allowing just 45 yards per contest.

The only small ding on the group is the low number of interceptions they have hauled in. Alabama has just nine interceptions in eight games.

Overall Unit Grade: A

LSU Secondary

Cornerback: Morris Claiborne

Grade: A

Cornerback: Tyrann Mathieu

Grade: A+

Safety: Brandon Taylor

Grade: A- 

Safety: Eric Reid

Grade: B+

Unit Summary: This unit is a strength of the Tiger defense. Mathieu and Claiborne are All-American candidates, and all four starters have speed and talent.

LSU is allowing only 174 passing yards per game to the competition.

Most importantly, LSU leads the SEC in turnovers gained, with a ridiculous 18 on the season. Most of those turnovers came from playmakers in this unit.

Overall Unit Grade: A

Alabama Linebackers

Linebacker: Don'ta Hightower

Grade: A+

Linebacker: Courtney Upshaw

Grade: A

Linebacker: Jerrell Harris

Grade: B 

Linebacker: Nico Johnson

Grade: A-
 

Unit Summary: There is NFL talent across the Alabama linebacker corps.

These hard-hitting and big linebackers for the Tide are key reason for Alabama allowing just 45 rush yards per game in 2011.

They fly to the ball and are smart football players, well coached by Tide Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart and Head Coach Nick Saban.

Overall Unit Grade: A

LSU Linebackers

Linebacker: Stefoin Francious

Grade: B

Linebacker: Ryan Baker

Grade: A

Linebacker: Karnell Hatcher

Grade: B 

Unit Summary: The LSU linebackers may be the least talented group of the Tiger defense. However, they are all seniors and are leaders of the D.

Not to mention, they are a big part of LSU allowing only 76 rushing yards per game to the opposition.

They will have to be ready this Saturday, as they will need to help slow down Trent Richardson and the Alabama rushing game.

Overall Unit Grade: B+

Alabama Defensive Line

Defensive End: Damien Square

Grade: B

Defensive End: Jesse Williams

Grade: B-

Defensive Tackle: Josh Chapman

Grade: A- 

Unit Summary: This veteran unit clogs up the running lanes and makes it tough for opposing running backs to find holes to run through.

With defensive line at the point of attack, Alabama is allowing just 45 rushing yards per game.

There is good depth here, with Nick Gentry and Ed Stinson seeing time, but quarterback pressure in the backfield from the starters has been light.

Overall Unit Ranking: B

LSU Defensive Line

Defensive End: Kendrick Adams

Grade: A-

Defensive End: Sam Montgomery

Grade: A+

Defensive Tackle: Mike Brockers

Grade: B 

Defensive Tackle: Bennie Logan

Grade: B
 

Unit Summary: The LSU defensive line is strong at the ends with strength and speed, but light on experience on the inside at tackle.

Together they do a solid job of plugging holes, helping the Tigers hold opposing rushers to 76 rush yards per outing.

They are also excellent at pass rushing, currently second in the conference with 19 sacks in eight games.

Overall Unit Ranking: B+

Alabama Wide Receivers

Wide Receiver: Marquis Maze

Grade: B+

Wide Receiver: Darius Hanks

Grade: B-

Tight End: Brad Smelley

Grade: B-

Unit Summary: Maze is a veteran receiver who has nice hands and can make big catches when called upon. However, he has only one touchdown reception on the season, and at 5'10", 180 pounds, he doesn't have the size to be an elite wide out.

Hanks is a veteran as well, and since missing the first two games of the season he has come in and made some nice catches for the Tide.

Regardless if it is Smelley or co-starter at Tight End Michael Williams, they are both capable of catching balls, but are mainly solid blockers.

These guys are not going to scare the LSU defense, but they are capable and experienced targets.

Overall Unit Grade: B

LSU Wide Receivers

Wide Receiver: Rueben Randle

Grade: A

Cornerback: Russell Sheppard

Grade: A- 

Tight End: Deangelo Peterson

Grade: B+

Unit Summary: The two starting wide outs are fast and dangerous.

Sheppard missed two games this year, but has touchdown catches in each of the past two games.

Randle is proving to be one of the very best receivers in the SEC, with 33 catches for 638 yards and seven touchdowns over the first eight games.

Peterson is an experienced tight end that is an effective blocker and can make catches if called upon.

These receivers will need big games if LSU is to beat Alabama.

Overall Unit Grade: A-

Alabama Offensive Line

Offensive Tackle: Barrett Jones

Grade: A

Offensive Guard: Chance Warmack

Grade: B+

Center: William Vlachos

Grade: A+ 

Offensive Guard: Anthony Steen

Grade: B-

Offensive Tackle: D.J. Fluker

Grade: A

Unit Summary: This is a large and powerful offensive line.

At least three of these players could be first-round NFL draft picks.

This line does well in pass protection and has busted open holes for an Alabama running game that leads the SEC with 230 yards per game.

Overall Unit Ranking: A

LSU Offensive Line

Offensive Tackle: Chris Faulk

Grade: A-

Offensive Guard: Bob Hebert

Grade: B+

Center: P.J. Lonergan

Grade: A-

Offensive Guard: Will Blackwell

Grade: A+

Offensive Tackle: Alex Hurst

Grade: A

Unit Summary: The LSU offensive line is athletic and strong and is one of the better pass protection units in the nation. The Tigers have given up just seven sacks all season.

They aren't too shabby at run blocking either, helping LSU backs to average a solid 189 yards per game.

They need to avoid procedure penalties against Alabama, as to not kill needed drives.

Overall Unit Ranking: A

Alabama Running Backs

Running Back: Trent Richardson

Grade: A+

Unit Summary: Richardson is a leading Heisman candidate and is having a monster season for the Tide.

So far in 2011, he has rushed for an insane 989 yards and 18 touchdowns in just eight games.

He gets breathers from talented sophomore Eddie Lacy, but Trent will be the work horse against LSU.

Overall Unit Ranking: A+

LSU Running Backs

Running Back: Spencer Ware

Grade: A

Unit Summary: Michael Ford shares time with Ware, and they are both talented backs.

LSU is averaging 189 rushing yards per game and have scored 21 rushing touchdowns, second best in the SEC in that stat category.

These backs are big and elusive; a nice combo that will be needed versus Alabama.

Overall Unit Ranking: A

Alabama Quarterback

Quarterback: A.J. McCarron

Grade: B+

Unit Summary: This grade may should be higher, as McCarron is having a solid season for Alabama.

However, he has started just eight games in his career and lacks experience, especially in games this big.

The stats are good, as McCarron has thrown for 1,64 yards, 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions in eight games.

He will need to make solid decisions against a tough LSU defense on Saturday.

Overall Unit Grade: B+

LSU Quarterback

Quarterback: Jarrett Lee

Grade: A-

Unit Summary: The surprise of the SEC may be how well Jarrett Lee has played so far this season.

Once a much maligned backup, he stepped into the starter's role when Jordan Jefferson was suspended earlier in the season.

Since then, he has become one of the top statistical quarterbacks in the SEC. Lee has thrown for 13 touchdown passes, as compared to just one interception.

Lee splits time with Jefferson, now that the mobile quarterback is back from suspension, and both have been effective.

Look for LSU to continue to use both against Alabama. They will need to continue to avoid turnovers.

Overall Unit Grade: A-