Alabama vs. LSU - Thoughts?

[Plainsman94]

IMHO, Auburn could virtually have the SECW tied up after THIS saturday.  So, this Alabama / LSU matchup has some interest to me that it wouldn't normally have.  Plus, I feel like if Auburn knows they are going to Atlanta regardless of the outcome of the Iron Bowl, they are much more likely to go into it loose and lay the wood to the Tide and really blow them out.  SO...I was considering the matchup this weekend:

Can LSU beat Alabama, I say absolutely...LSU is a sound defensive football team and they are excellent on special teams.  Obviously, LSU weakness is their offense. 

LSU's defense should be very strong against Alabama's running game.  LSU's defensive strenght (similar to Auburn)  is right up the middle.  They've got one outstanding defensive lineman, a stud middle linebacker, and an excellent safety backing them up.  I would say LSU stuffs Alabama's running game (prob. hold them under 100 yards as a team).  Unfortunately, LSU will never get 2 scores up on Alabama and force them to abandon the run.  But it's going to be on McElroy to beat LSU - look for him to take another beating while he's at it. 

This game will degenerate into a punting duel.  Unless his game against Auburn was an aberation, LSU has one fine punter and their returner ain't bad either.

As far as offense goes.  I know it goes against the grain, but if I'm LSU, I play Jefferson and give Alabama a HEAVY does of the zone/read and inverted veer option game.  Against Alabama's 3-4 scheme this should rip them a new one, then once they walk Hightower up and put his hand on the ground to make him a Defensive End and convert their scheme to a 4-3 to help stop the option, hit 'em with the play action.  (I know that last part is where it all falls apart, but that's what needs to be done.)

The Bottom Line =  LSU 13 - Alabama 10

Thoughts?

[GH2001]

It is the best thing for bama to go into the iron bowl with nothing to play for. We do not want them top 5 the day after turkey day or bds will be a mad house like we've never seen.

[Saniflush]

IMHO, Auburn could virtually have the SECW tied up after THIS saturday.  So, this Alabama / LSU matchup has some interest to me that it wouldn't normally have.  Plus, I feel like if Auburn knows they are going to Atlanta regardless of the outcome of the Iron Bowl, they are much more likely to go into it loose and lay the wood to the Tide and really blow them out.  SO...I was considering the matchup this weekend:

Can LSU beat Alabama, I say absolutely...LSU is a sound defensive football team and they are excellent on special teams.  Obviously, LSU weakness is their offense. 

LSU's defense should be very strong against Alabama's running game.  LSU's defensive strenght (similar to Auburn)  is right up the middle.  They've got one outstanding defensive lineman, a stud middle linebacker, and an excellent safety backing them up.  I would say LSU stuffs Alabama's running game (prob. hold them under 100 yards as a team).  Unfortunately, LSU will never get 2 scores up on Alabama and force them to abandon the run.  But it's going to be on McElroy to beat LSU - look for him to take another beating while he's at it. 

This game will degenerate into a punting duel.  Unless his game against Auburn was an aberation, LSU has one fine punter and their returner ain't bad either.

As far as offense goes.  I know it goes against the grain, but if I'm LSU, I play Jefferson and give Alabama a HEAVY does of the zone/read and inverted veer option game.  Against Alabama's 3-4 scheme this should rip them a new one, then once they walk Hightower up and put his hand on the ground to make him a Defensive End and convert their scheme to a 4-3 to help stop the option, hit 'em with the play action.  (I know that last part is where it all falls apart, but that's what needs to be done.)

The Bottom Line =  LSU 13 - Alabama 10

Thoughts?

2 - 2 with a small tactical nuke going off just before the start of OT.

[Buzz Killington]

Alabama is more focused on beating Auburn and getting back to the MNC game.  If they were ever primed to experience a beatdown, this week is it.

That being said, the Tigahs will have to play lights out on D and Special Teams to even have a chance to win IMHO. 

I fully expect a low scoring, defensive game that will still be in doubt well into the 4th quarter.  Special Teams may be the difference.  If it is, I would have to give the edge to LSU.

[djsimp]

I too see a possible letdown for the Tahd but I am still picking them to win. I want them to have only one loss when we lay the wood to that ass. No excuses, no whining from the bammers (at least a smaller margin). I think it will be very close but I think Richardson and Ingram will be too much for them in the end. If bama plays close attention, they can learn something from Auburn. As far as who I want to win when considering our BCS chances, I don't think it matters at this point because when it is said and done we would have beaten them both. An LSU win over bama and LSU winning out actually could be just as good or even better than a one loss bama.

[Tiger Wench]

LSU has NO offense.  Zero.  Zip.  Nada.  They may stop bammer defensively, but unless the defense and special teams put up at least one TD each through INT and punt/kickoff returns, LSU is toast.

If I am Les Miles, I have used the off week to get Russell Shepard to run some plays under center.  The rumor is that the only reason he has not been used as a QB already is that he is dumb as a seven bags of hammers... but surely to goodness the boy could learn three or four plays to give bammer something new to think about.

Otherwise, I predict that both Jefferson and Lee will have a minimum of one turnover each.  It is going to be completely on the LSU D and ST to carry this shitty offense if the Geauxs are to have an even slight chance of pulling this massive upset.

[War Eagle!!!]

I too see a possible letdown for the Tahd but I am still picking them to win. I want them to have only one loss when we lay the wood to that ass. No excuses, no whining from the bammers (at least a smaller margin). I think it will be very close but I think Richardson and Ingram will be too much for them in the end. If bama plays close attention, they can learn something from Auburn. As far as who I want to win when considering our BCS chances, I don't think it matters at this point because when it is said and done we would have beaten them both. An LSU win over bama and LSU winning out actually could be just as good or even better than a one loss bama.

You do not want this. I want to play Alabama when they have nothing to play for. Do I think we can beat them otherwise? Absolutely. But do I think we have a better shot if they have nothing to play for? Absolutely.

I would rather Alabama be beat the fuck up and the team separated and fighting amongst them selves. Auburn has a legit shot at a national championship, and I want to take advantage of every break we can find.

[djsimp]

I would rather Alabama be beat the fuck up and the team separated and fighting amongst them selves. Auburn has a legit shot at a national championship, and I want to take advantage of every break we can find.

Well, I can see where you're coming from for sure. I am just stuck on the fact that I would rather see Auburn beat bama at their "best". Either way, I think we beat them. If they continue to win out, yes they will have something to play for but so will we. I am actually feeling now that the drop to #2 might be a very good thing for Auburn, motivational speaking. Lets not forget that we owe them a couple of years worth of ass whippings which is also motivation. You couple that with an O running slicker than owl shit, you have yourself an Auburn W on the road in T-town.

[Saniflush]

Well, I can see where you're coming from for sure. I am just stuck on the fact that I would rather see Auburn beat bama at their "best". Either way, I think we beat them. If they continue to win out, yes they will have something to play for but so will we. I am actually feeling now that the drop to #2 might be a very good thing for Auburn, motivational speaking. Lets not forget that we owe them a couple of years worth of ass whippings which is also motivation. You couple that with an O running slicker than owl shit, you have yourself an Auburn W on the road in T-town.

Haven't you been around along enough to know that if AU beats the turds then they were not at their best?

[War Eagle!!!]

Well, I can see where you're coming from for sure. I am just stuck on the fact that I would rather see Auburn beat bama at their "best". Either way, I think we beat them. If they continue to win out, yes they will have something to play for but so will we. I am actually feeling now that the drop to #2 might be a very good thing for Auburn, motivational speaking. Lets not forget that we owe them a couple of years worth of ass whippings which is also motivation. You couple that with an O running slicker than owl shit, you have yourself an Auburn W on the road in T-town.

Who gives a fuck if they are at their best or not. I want them to have to dress out someone from the intramural fields to play QB because everyone on their team has mono...

They won't be able to say shit to me while I am wearing my "Got 2?" shirt...

[djsimp]

Haven't you been around along enough to know that if AU beats the turds then they were not at their best?

No doubt, there are always excuses, that is the purpose of "best" because I know there will be that portion (large portion) of teh bammers in denial. Anywho, a win against the "top ranked one loss team in the nation" will be glorious.

[JR4AU]

2 - 2 with a small tactical nuke going off just before the start of OT.

My general thoughts when Bammer plays TN too.  I fucking hate TN, and I'm starting to hate LSU.

You do not want this. I want to play Alabama when they have nothing to play for. Do I think we can beat them otherwise? Absolutely. But do I think we have a better shot if they have nothing to play for? Absolutely.

I would rather Alabama be beat the fuck up and the team separated and fighting amongst them selves. Auburn has a legit shot at a national championship, and I want to take advantage of every break we can find.

^^^THIS!  THIS! AND FUCKIN' THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS!

[GH2001]

Well, I can see where you're coming from for sure. I am just stuck on the fact that I would rather see Auburn beat bama at their "best". Either way, I think we beat them. If they continue to win out, yes they will have something to play for but so will we. I am actually feeling now that the drop to #2 might be a very good thing for Auburn, motivational speaking. Lets not forget that we owe them a couple of years worth of ass whippings which is also motivation. You couple that with an O running slicker than owl shit, you have yourself an Auburn W on the road in T-town.

they're gonna make an excuse either way. And they can whine all they want if it means we get a nc....so be it. I'm with we!! here.

[djsimp]

Who gives a fuck if they are at their best or not. I want them to have to dress out someone from the intramural fields to play QB because everyone on their team has mono...

They won't be able to say shit to me while I am wearing my "Got 2?" shirt...

While any bama loss is a good bama loss, the being at their "best" part is just one mans opinion. The magnitude of the game would be off the chains though. I'm not sure if I need to be around any family though, because the blunt force that I will be slamming beers may cause bodily harm to those around me.

[Tiger Wench]

You do not want this. I want to play Alabama when they have nothing to play for.

Seriously.  SERIOUSLY???  When bammer and Auburn play, BOTH TEAMS have EVERYTHING to play for, even if NOTHING is on the line.  Last year, Auburn had nothing to play for, and we played lights out against the alleged #1 team in the country.  How much more motivation would a two loss bammer team need than to think "Well, we ain't going, so let's fuck it up for Auburn too..."  THAT would be the exact phrase their coaches would be slamming at them all week.  Let's ruin their day.  Let's spoil their party.

I don't give a damn either way, but don't ever say either team would ever come into an Iron Bowl with "Nothing to play for...".  It's the IRON BOWL. 

[djsimp]

Well, its looking like I'm in this boat alone you fuckers you. I guess I am looking out for my interest. I'm just thinking of the sumbitchin IB to be as large as it can get. The kind of game that I take what I already do like growlin', spittin', screamin', slammin, beers, cursin', children cryin', more growlin', more slammin' beers and multiplying by 10. Yeah, thats the ticket, let the whole neighborhood know whats going down at my house.

[War Eagle!!!]

Seriously.  SERIOUSLY???  When bammer and Auburn play, BOTH TEAMS have EVERYTHING to play for, even if NOTHING is on the line.  Last year, Auburn had nothing to play for, and we played lights out against the alleged #1 team in the country.  How much more motivation would a two loss bammer team need than to think "Well, we ain't going, so let's fuck it up for Auburn too..."  THAT would be the exact phrase their coaches would be slamming at them all week.  Let's ruin their day.  Let's spoil their party.

I don't give a damn either way, but don't ever say either team would ever come into an Iron Bowl with "Nothing to play for...".  It's the IRON BOWL.

You are talking about a team that won a national championship the year before and was the odds on favorite to win it this year. If there is absolutely no shot for them to win it, you think they are going to be as motivated as if they had a shot to go back to back? I'm not buying it...

[Snaggletiger]

What Wench said earlier.  LSU's offense is beyond teh sux.  Their one weapon is an athletic QB who can get on the edge and pick up some yardage.  If he tries to throw against Alabama, they may set the record for picks in one game.  People....even Neiko Torched stepped in front of one of LSU's passes.  He didn't catch it...of course...but that should tell you all you need to know about the Corndog offense.

[JR4AU]

You are talking about a team that won a national championship the year before and was the odds on favorite to win it this year. If there is absolutely no shot for them to win it, you think they are going to be as motivated as if they had a shot to go back to back? I'm not buying it...

We have the horses to run with bammer this year...but they still got theirs too.  We are at a disadvantage on the road as it is.  The difference in the game, initially, will be who wants it more.  If bammer is playing to make sure they get a Sugar Bowl bid instead of a BCSCG bid...we're better off.  And no I don't care what you say about "beating the best".  As far as anyone is concerned, they'll still be a top or near top ranked, fully stocked Alabama team...beating them will be enough.  I don't want them coming in with all the drive and emotion to hang on no matter what.  I want them to quit when we get a 2 TD lead.  I want them demoralized.  A team that already has a ring, and is on the verge of either playing for another, or just coasting it out...I want to face the team that has no real reason to play in their minds, because I want Auburn to win.  As WE said, we can win in either event...I'd just rather them quit in the second quarter, than play all 4. 

[GH2001]

We have the horses to run with bammer this year...but they still got theirs too.  We are at a disadvantage on the road as it is.  The difference in the game, initially, will be who wants it more.  If bammer is playing to make sure they get a Sugar Bowl bid instead of a BCSCG bid...we're better off.  And no I don't care what you say about "beating the best".  As far as anyone is concerned, they'll still be a top or near top ranked, fully stocked Alabama team...beating them will be enough.  I don't want them coming in with all the drive and emotion to hang on no matter what.  I want them to quit when we get a 2 TD lead.  I want them demoralized.  A team that already has a ring, and is on the verge of either playing for another, or just coasting it out...I want to face the team that has no real reason to play in their minds, because I want Auburn to win.  As WE said, we can win in either event...I'd just rather them quit in the second quarter, than play all 4.

I heart your post and oh yeah......THIS!