LSU vs. Alabama Predictions: Crimson Tide Defense Will Expose Tigers' Flaws

LSU and Alabama will be engaging in the most anticipated college football game in recent history on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The winner of this contest will more than likely go on to play in the BCS National Championship game.

Both teams are similar offensively and defensively, but the main reason why Alabama will get the crucial victory is because of their unbelievable defense.

Alabama will finally get to show just how great their defense is. The Crimson Tide are only allowing seven points per game, which is the best in the nation.

This isn’t the National Football League, this is college football where teams score at will.

Arkansas, for example, is 20th in the country in points scored. One would think that maybe they would average 25-30 points per game.

Not even close.

They average 37 points per game. The Houston Cougars lead college football in points scored per game at 52. It is truly unbelievable what the Alabama defense is doing this season.

LSU’s offense will only help Alabama’s cause because of their inefficiency. They rank No. 98 and No. 33 in passing and rushing, respectively.

Their usage of the two-quarterback system will bite them in this game. It has been a success for head coach Les Miles, but it usually doesn’t bode so well for teams. We will finally see the downfall of their system.

This game is one for the ages but I think Alabama should have the edge.

Offensively Alabama has the better side, too. Quarterback A.J. McCarron has thrown for 10 touchdowns compared to three interceptions. He’s doing a great job of not putting his defense in poor situations by turning the ball over.

However, he hasn’t been tested against a quality defense in a tough situation in his career. We will learn more about his ability to handle the pressure and atmosphere of the big game after this weekend.

Running back Trent Richardson is the difference maker in this SEC showdown.

Any time there are two equal teams, especially defensively, just look at who has the best offensive player. There is no doubt about Richardson being the best offensive player for both teams.

Richardson is the real deal, a true Heisman candidate. He has rushed for 989 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season. He can either run around the defense using his explosive speed or run through defenders with his tremendous power. What makes him so dynamic is the fact that he doesn’t have a preference.

In what is the game of the 2011 college football schedule, Alabama is about to prove why they are the best team in the nation and it all begins with their defense.