Alabama Football: Things to Watch for During the LSU vs Alabama Game

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) This game will be a chess match between two good coaches, and the whole 60 minutes will be a game within a game in so many areas that they can't all possibly be listed here.

But here are the main things to watch for during the game so that you can appreciate the complexity of just everything that is going to be used by both sides during the game.

Watch the Alabama Players Try and Get the Crowd Going

Players on the field and on the bench will be asking, yelling and waving for more crowd noise during much of the game.

I don't think they'll have to try very hard.

LSU's Trick Plays

Trick plays aren't unusual for Les Miles to spring on Alabama. It doesn't mean he doesn't think he can't beat the Tide without them, but he likes to use them as a demoralizing technique.

You can count on at least three attempted ones.

LSU Will Blitz More Than Any Game so Far This Season

Les Miles is convinced that the key to the game is exposing what he feels is the weak link in the armor of the Crimson Tide, A.J. McCarron.

He will want to rattle him early and often, and look for LSU to throw more blitzes at McCarron than they have any quarterback this season.

If McCarron burns them a few times, see if LSU stops doing it.

I think they won't.

Les Miles isn't one to give up on a game plan. He's as stubborn as a mule and eats grass like one too.

Watch How Many Times Alabama Passes on First Down

See how many times Alabama throws on first down. They are doing it to keep LSU from stacking the line and stopping the run.

LSU is convinced that Alabama will attempt a pound it out game, and they intend on stopping the run at all costs.

Nick Saban and even McCarron so far this season has been willing to take what is open, so first down passing is Nick Saban's way of getting LSU to back off the line.

Wath How Many Times McCarron Will Change the Play at the Line

Two weeks ago when I was interviewing players, almost all of them commented how A.J. McCarron was becoming a field general by always knowing when to check off to another play and that every time he does it, it works.

LSU will try to hide their coverage, but McCarron has been studying film with Nick Saban and will grasp what he sees when he comes to the line.

Alabama may even hurry to the line a few times and call the play there after seeing how LSU is lined up.

In any event, McCarron will check off in this game more than any other game this year.

No More Vanilla Defense, Here Come the Tide Blitz Packages

All year long, Alabama has been saving, holding back on over half of their blitz packages for the simple reason that they really haven't needed to show their hand and those plays to win the game.

This is the game they've been waiting for to open the defensive play book and really play lights out defense. You will see defense plays and blitzes you haven't seen all season long.

Saban and Smart know that if you give Jarret Lee time, he can burn you, so they simply won't give him any.

Look for Alabama to try and rattle Lee and make him as skittish and nervous as the last time he started against the Tide and threw three picks.

Will Alabama Try Trick Plays on Offense or Special Teams?

We have seen Nick Saban do his own trick plays this season.

Will he do more this Saturday, or simply worry Les Miles to death wondering when or if they they'll try it?

That will be a fun thing to watch Saturday, too.

Larry Burton is a syndicated writer with press credentials, and he'll be Twittering on the some of the things you may not see during the game from the press box of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

You can follow those tweets at http://twitter.com/#!/LBSportswriter. Sign up to follow them during the game.

You can also go to his Bio Page here on Bleacher Report and sign up to become a fan and subscribe to Touchdown Alabama Magazine for other insightful articles.