LSU vs. Alabama: Crimson Tide's Lack of 4th Quarter Experience Will Haunt Them

For the last week we have been breaking down the ins and outs of the upcoming showdown between the No. 1 LSU Tigers and the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide.

We've looked at the running games, the passing games, the special teams and the defenses.

We've broken down the positional matchups from quarterbacks to centers.

We've looked at almost every measurable that can be recorded, trying to anticipate the outcome.

In the process, we may have overlooked what this game will come down to. It could be as simple as the ability to make plays with the game on the line.

LSU has been in some close games this year. They played down to the wire against Oregon, Mississippi State and West Virginia. Key players had to step up and make plays in the fourth quarter so the Tigers would walk away with a win.

Alabama has not been tested the same way that LSU has. Their closest game came in a 27-11 victory over Penn State.

Typically, blowing out your opponents is considered a good thing. However, it leaves many questions for this upcoming showdown.

How will Alabama players respond when they have to make plays with the game on the line?

Quarterback A.J. McCarron has been asked to throw the ball just nine times in the fourth quarter this year. He completed five of them for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy has carried the ball for a combined 38 attempts in the fourth quarter.

Alabama's leading receiver Marquis Maze has 39 receptions for 482 yards and a touchdown this year. He has zero catches in the fourth quarter.

What is going to happen when these guys are called upon to make the game-winning drive with just minutes remaining in the game? Can they be counted on?

It's a very concerning question for the Crimson Tide. It's one that could end up being the difference in the outcome of this game.