Date & Time: Saturday, November 9th, 2024, 6:30 PM

Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA

Spread: Alabama -3

O/U: 58.5

TV: ABC/ESPN+

The Tigers and Crimson Tide will meet on the football field for the 89th time this Saturday. Alabama leads the all time series 56-27-5. LSU won the 1st meeting in 1895 by a score of 12-6. The last time these 2 squared up in Baton Rouge was in 2022, when the Tigers won an overtime thriller. College Gameday will be on campus for this one.

Alabama (#11), 6-2, 3-2, is coming into a 6th SEC contest. The Crimson Tide offense is 6th in the SEC in total yards per game (431.8), 7th in the SEC in passing yards per game (254.1), and 6th in the SEC in rushing yards per game (177.6). The offense is led by quarterback Jalen Milroe. Currently, Milroe has the 12th highest QBR in the nation, 5th most passing yards in the SEC (1937), 6th most passing TDs (13), 3rd most rushing yards by a QB in the SEC (380), and 2nd most rushing TDs in the SEC (12). Running backs Jam Miller and Justice Haynes are the leaders in the backfield. Miller has 450 rushing yards and 7 TDs, and Haynes has 350 rushing yards and 5 TDs as well as 16 receptions. Ryan Williams is the leading pass catcher on this team, along with Germie Bernard. Williams has the 3rd most receiving yards in the SEC (702), and the most receiving TDs in the SEC (7). Bernard has 30 receptions, 463 receiving yards, and 2 TDs. The Alabama defense is 11th in the SEC in total yards per game given up (337.8), 6th in the SEC in passing yards per game given up (193.3), and 14th in the SEC in rushing yards per game given up (144.5). This defense is led by linebackers Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell; both have 66 tackles, on the season which is tied for the 6th most in the SEC. The defensive line is led by LT Overton and Tim Keenan III. Overton has 24 tackles and 2 sacks on the season, and Keenan III has 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks on the season. The defensive backfield is led by Keon Sabb, Domani Jackson, and Malachi Moore. Sabb has 4 PBUs and 2 INTs, Jackson has 5 PBUs and 2 INTs, and Moore has 5 PBUs and 2 INTs.

LSU (#15), 6-2, 3-1, is coming into a 5th SEC game. This LSU offense is 5th in the SEC in total yards per game (448), 2nd in the SEC in passing yards per game (332.8), and 16th (last) in the SEC in rushing yards per game (115.3). Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is the clear leader on this offense. Nussmeier has the 10th most completions in the nation (208), the 7th most passing yards in the nation (2627), the 8th most passing TDs in the nation (20), and the 11th highest QBR in the nation. Caden Durham and Josh Williams are the leaders in the running back room. Durham has 397 rushing yards and 6 TDs, and Williams has 241 rushing yards and 3 TDs. The leading pass catchers for the Tigers are Kyren Lacy, Aaron Anderson, and Mason Taylor. Anderson has 36 receptions, 614 yards, and 4 TDs on the season. Lacy is tied for the 4th most receptions in the SEC (41), the 7th receiving yards in the SEC (618), and is tied for the 4th most receiving TDs in the SEC (6). Taylor has the 7th most receptions in the SEC (39), 369 yards, and 2 TDs. The Tiger defense is 13th in the SEC in total yards per game given up (360.8), 12th in the SEC in passing yards per game given up (230), and 11th in the SEC in rushing yards per game given up (130.8). The leaders in the linebacker room are Whit Weeks and Greg Penn III. Weeks has the 4th most tackles in the SEC (74), and GP3 has the 10th most tackles in the SEC (59). The leaders on the defensive line are Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones. Swinson has the 3rd most sacks in the SEC (8), and Jones has the 13th most sacks in the SEC (4.5). The leaders in the defensive backfield for the Tigers are Ashton Stamps and Zy Alexander. Stamps has the 4th most PBUs in the SEC (7). Alexander is putting together quite the season with only 32 yards allowed, 0 TDs allowed, 2.8 passer rating allowed, and 88.5 coverage grade (per PFF College).

KEYS TO THE GAME

- RUN - With Garrett Dellinger out for this game, can the Tigers get something going on the ground to keep this Alabama defense off balance?

- MIDDLE OF THE FIELD - The Tigers have arguably one of the best tight ends in the nation in Mason Taylor. Will the Tigers utilize Mason and the middle of the field in early down situations?

- GET HOME - Alabama has given up 17 sacks on the season, while the Tigers have gotten 28 sacks so far this season. Can the Tigers get to Milroe?

- DISRUPT - Which defense can force the opposing quarterback to make a mistake?

Fun Fact: LSU DL coach Bo Davis coached at Alabama from 2014-2015.

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