Above Image Credit: On3
When: Saturday, Nov. 9, 6:30 PM EST
Where: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, LA)
Channel: ABC/ESPN+ (check your local listings; click here to subscribe)
The Alabama Crimson Tide battles the LSU Tigers at Death Valley with major CFP implications on the line.
Will Bama’s CFP Chances Get Washed Away?
This past Tuesday, the CFP committee has placed Alabama in the #11 spot. The 12-bracket projection has them facing sixth-ranked Texas with the winner of the matchup facing the third-ranked Miami Hurricanes. That’s what it looks like right now.
However, a loss by Bama in this game could take them off the CFP conversation completely. It could then take a miracle to get them back into the conversation. With the losses they suffered against Vanderbilt and Tennessee, this is a scenario they must avoid.
A win is possible considering that Bama defeated LSU 42-28 last year thanks in part to Jalen Milroe’s strong running game. If he can pull off the right balance of passing and rushing against LSU, Alabama will have hope keeping themselves in the CFP. After all, they should have no problem winning the remaining games of the season after this.
Is LSU a CFP Contender?
Let’s be honest here: LSU is a tough SEC team, but they don’t have the kind of caliber to get to the top of the CFP.
The CFP committee ranked the Tigers at #15. Just last week, they suffered their second loss this season when Texas A&M came back fighting in the second half after trailing 17-7 to win 38-23.
Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeier is 2nd in the SEC with 2,627 yards. He’s recorded 208 completions out of 333 for 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. Last week, he seemed to have things under control in the first half until he made three interceptions in the second half.
Two of those interceptions led to two touchdowns allowing them to get ahead of the team. The third interception that occurred with six-and-a-half minutes left in the game sealed their fate.
Their CFP fate will be sealed if Alabama defeats them, but at least they will be eligible for a bowl game.
Alabama vs. LSU: Final Prediction
With so much at stake between these teams, there is absolutely no room for mistakes. Whichever team loses will no doubt be out of the CFP conversation entirely.
Milroe is already looking like the stronger quarterback compared to Nussmeier. LSU could have Bradyn Swinson, who is third in the SEC with eight sacks, stop him in his tracks. It will be up to the Tide’s offensive linemen to keep Swinson away from Milroe.
The LSU coaches probably had Nussmeier practicing double after his performance last week. If LSU wants to win, he can’t make the same mistakes he did last time. They also can’t allow the Bama defense to get to him. The defense has been getting better, though, so that could be a challenge.
The Alabama vs. LSU rivalry will also be the final big test for Kalen DeBoer as Bama’s head coach. The Crimson Tide won the last eight out of 10 meetings against the Tigers, but that was during the Saban era. This will truly show if DeBoer has the wits and the drive to be a true SEC coach. As long as Alabama plays their cards right in this one, a spot in the final CFP drawing starts becoming a guarantee.
