Bowl Projections: 5 Things Alabama Needs to Do to Beat LSU This Time Around

All signs point to a rematch between LSU and Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game, but the Crimson Tide are hoping for a better result this time.

Alabama lost 9-6 in overtime the first time these two teams met, a Nov. 5 battle that many hyped as "the game of the century."

Although many believed this would permanently knock Alabama out of the title picture, the team instead will get the rare opportunity to avenge the regular season loss for the championship. 

With this game being for all the marbles, Alabama will need to change a few things in order to have a better outcome this time around. 

Focus on Jordan Jefferson

The first time these two teams played, Jarrett Lee was the starting quarterback for LSU, and Jordan Jefferson only came in a few times per game.

Alabama had to game-plan against a passing quarterback, and then was caught a little off guard when Jefferson finished the game for the Tigers.

This time around, Alabama knows that Jefferson will be the man behind center. The senior played very well against Arkansas last week, but he is still prone to errant throws.

The Crimson Tide need to focus on stopping the running game, where Jefferson is the most dangerous. Then they can sit back and capitalize if the quarterback makes a mistake.

Let Trent Richardson Loose

In the beginning of the season, Alabama was being very cautious when using Trent Richardson.

Through the first eight games of the season, the star running back only topped 20 carries twice. Since the LSU game he has received more than 20 carries in every game, including two instances of 30-plus rushing attempts.

There will be 44 days between Alabama's win in the Iron Bowl and the Jan. 9 BCS National Championship Game. Richardson will be fresh and probably playing in his final collegiate game.

He should without question receive over 30 touches (either rushing or receiving) against the tough LSU defense. With enough chances, the junior should break a long run as he has so often in his career.

Do Not Let the Crowd Get to the Players

LSU had to go into Tuscaloosa and defeat Alabama on its home turf the first time. The Crimson Tide will have no such luxury a second time.

The national championship game will not be in Tiger Stadium, where LSU plays its home games, but the Louisiana Superdome will have a similar atmosphere.

The domed stadium in New Orleans has always been kind to LSU, and the crowd will be very supportive of the Tigers.

The good news for Alabama is that home field has not had the ideal effect in this matchup. In the past 11 games of this rivalry, the road team is 7-4.

Alabama will do its best to continue this trend.

Solve Kicking Problems

The Crimson Tide lost to LSU by three points in overtime, thanks in large part to poor special teams. Kickers Jeremy Shelley and Cade Foster combined to go 2-for-6 in field goal attempts, and it cost Alabama the game.

Nick Saban likes to use two kickers, one for long attempts and one for shorter attempts. However, if the long kicker, Foster, has made only two field goals in nine attempts this season, there is something wrong. 

Shelley has been solid this year, hitting 16-of-18 from inside of 40 yards, but if no one on the team can hit a longer kick, the coach needs to change the game plan. 

There might be a time when the team reaches a fourth down in the opposing territory, and the best decision will either be to keep the offense on the field or punt the football.

Either one is better than a miss.

Take More Risks

In a defensive struggle, there comes a time where neither coach wants to do anything that will cost the team the game. That happened pretty early in the first installment of this matchup.

Alabama did attempt a receiver pass in the fourth quarter, but Marquis Maze ended up throwing an interception. 

Besides that play, the rest of the game was full of runs and short pass attempts. It seemed that the teams were trying not to lose the game rather than trying to win it.

When competing for the national championship, you cannot hold anything back.

Even if Nick Saban does not trust quarterback A.J. McCarron to not turn the ball over, they still need to try a few deep attempts. Even a couple of passes to the speedy receivers would back the defense up and create more room for the running game. 

LSU coach Les Miles will certainly take some risks, so Nick Saban will have to outcoach the "Mad Hatter" in order to come away with a victory.