LSU vs. Alabama Rematch: Wrinkles in the Offensive Game Plan

The rematch is set to go down between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, and one of many things you can expect will be changes in the offensive game plan.

The first game was what I would call an instant classic, and I can hear all the Big 12 fans screaming at the computer screen right now saying defense isn't exciting. That's a different article for a different day, so for now, let’s agree to disagree and talk about the rematch.

The BCS made the right choice, and I'm glad to see the two best teams in college football square off in what should be another great football game.

Neither offense is as good as Oklahoma State's, but if you think the Cowboys could put up more than 30 points on this LSU defense, you need to lay off the drugs, buddy.

Neither one of these offenses will score more than 30 and most likely won’t even score more than 24 points, but there will be more scoring in New Orleans than there was in Tuscaloosa.

It's no secret these are the two best defenses in college football, so if the offenses want to be more successful and put more points on the board, these are the changes they need to make.

LSU Offense: More Options

I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but the Tigers' option offense is the key to scoring more points.

Wow, that took a lot out of me to type that.

But that just goes to show you how fast things change in this sport.

A year ago, Gary Crowton's options at LSU were an absolute train wreck. Every time LSU would run the option to the short side of the field, you could hear a collective sigh from every LSU fan around the state of Louisiana, but Steve Kragthorpe and Greg Studrawa have made this thing a weapon.

The biggest reason why they've made it a weapon is because of Kragthorpe's ability to coach the quarterbacks. He's made Jordan Jefferson not only a better technical quarterback but a smarter one, too. Jefferson is now reading the defense better and running the option nearly to perfection.

The Tigers, like many of the offenses that have played Alabama, found success with the option, and it's because of the size and power of Alabama. It's not smart to just bang against this big and powerful front seven, so why not spread the field horizontally?

I look for LSU to do a lot more of this like they did in the first game, with Jefferson and Michael Ford frustrating and trying to wear down that big defensive front.

Alabama Offense: Use Brad Smelley like they did against Auburn

If you're Alabama, you have to look at it like this: LSU’s secondary can hold down our wide receivers for the most part, so I need an x-factor on offense.

Mine is Brad Smelley.

Smelley absolutely killed Auburn's defense in the Iron Bowl with 86 yards receiving and a touchdown reception, and you need him to do the same against LSU.

I know it's not an easy feat, but you have to try and find some sort of mismatch advantage to work with against this defense. LSU will most likely match up Brandon Taylor, Eric Reid and Ryan Baker on him, and if Alabama moves Smelley around they can find some openings for him.

If they make LSU focus on shutting Smelley down, it might open up more for Marquis Maze and Kenny Bell down the field.

LSU Offense: More Kenny Hilliard

Kenny Hilliard is a mack truck.

Hilliard proved to the Georgia Bulldogs what he proved to LSU fans midway through the season, and that's that this guy can run you over and find the end zone.

I had the opportunity to watch Hilliard play high school ball at Patterson last year, and the scene was about the same as the SEC Championship Game.

Hilliard tied an SEC Championship Game record with three touchdowns scored in the game, but he only had two carries against Alabama on Nov. 5.

LSU needs to give this monster the football. The chances of Alabama's defense wearing down are very thin, but if LSU wants to attempt to wear them down, they need to give Hilliard the rock a minimum of 10 times.

Alabama Offense: More Eddie Lacy

In the same way LSU should try to give Hilliard more carries, Alabama needs to give their other running back, Eddie Lacy, more rushes.

As you can tell by this slide and the previous slide, I feel like the winner of this football game will be the offense that can wear down the other defense the most.

Because of how great both defenses are, it's going to take a lot of wearing down by the offenses, and that's where the big backs come into play.

Trent Richardson packs quite a punch as well, but pounding the rock with Lacy will keep Richardson fresh for those finesse plays they'll need in crucial moments.

Both Offenses: Open the Game in Spread Formations

What would catch both defenses off-guard the most you might ask?

If both offenses open the game in the spread and throw the ball, they have a chance to catch the other defense on their heels and strike early.

As we all know, an early strike could be the difference-maker in a game that will see limited scoring. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either team do this and, quite frankly, it would be a smart move.

I'd like to see Jefferson take a shot downfield to Rueben Randle, or A.J. McCarron take a shot down the field to Bell in the first play of the game.

That would send a statement to the opposing defenses and maybe set the pace for a completely different football game.

Whether they open the game in the spread or not, you can expect a lot of wrinkles in both offenses on Jan. 9.