LSU vs. Alabama Predictions: Short and Simple, Who Wins This Game and Why

In two words, Roll Tide.

There are at least of three first-round draft picks on Alabama’s defense alone—Courtney Upshaw, Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron—and as many as three more could get in if they impress during workouts and at the combine.

The defense as a whole ranks first in the country in rushing yards allowed, pass efficiency defense, total yards allowed and points allowed per game. They’re also second in pass yards allowed per game and have forced 14 turnovers on the season.

No team has scored more than 14 points on the Tide this season, and three times they have held a team without a touchdown.

But it’s not like they are slouches on offense either, ranking 11th nationally in scoring. Their primary source of yards and points is running back and Heisman-hopeful Trent Richardson.

He is averaging 123 yards per game on the ground and is 11 yards shy of breaking the 1,000-yard mark already this season. Quarterback AJ McCarron is the 20th-most efficient quarterback in the country and the offense has only turned the ball over eight times all season.

LSU has also impressed on offense and defense, but looking closer at some statistics yields a surprising result

The Tigers may be 12th nationally in scoring offense, they only rank 81st in total yards per game and 79th in penalties per game. And their third-ranked defense ranks an abysmal 117th in the red zone, allowing opponents to score 94 percent of the time.

Adding the fact that this game is in Tuscaloosa and you begin to realize why the Tide are five-point favorites in this game.

Alabama 27, LSU 16