The Alabama Crimson Tide are facing their fourth top-25 opponent in five games during a loaded Week 10 schedule across college football that could leaving a lasting imprint on the 12-team playoff race. The Crimson Tide visit Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge for a matchup against Lane Kiffin's LSU Tigers.
Alabama (6-2, 4-2 SEC) is No. 9 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25. LSU (6-2, 3-2) is No. 15. In the College Football Playoff rankings, Kalen DeBoer's team debuted at No. 5 with the Tigers No. 14.
Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt, for one, believes Alabama's matchup against LSU is a "terrible" one for the Crimson Tide.
While previewing Saturday's massive clash on the Thursday edition of his popular video podcast and FS1 program,
the lead analyst and commentator on Fox's "BIg Noon Saturday" games, Klatt said:
"Bad matchup for Alabama in this one. I think it's a terrible matchup. Because if Kalen DeBoer gets into a big game, typically, they throw the football a lot and they don't run it very well. When that happens, they have to protect their quarterback, and if they can't protect their quarterback, they don't win. And LSU is a terrific pass rushing team."
Why Joel Klatt calls LSU a 'terrible' matchup for Alabama football
Klatt noted that LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker's unit ranks second in the country in sacks (34). The Tigers are tied for third nationally in total defense, allowing just 258.1 yards per game. Defensive end Princewill Umanmielen's 8.5 sacks is tied for fourth in FBS.
"You would think that Bama, on the offensive line, would do a good job of protecting their quarterback. Not the case," Klatt said. "We saw pressure against Tennessee, pressure against Georgia, and LSU in the pass rush might be better than both of those teams."
Klatt shared that he didn't think Alabama would be able to run the ball. Some of the Crimson Tide's struggles from a year ago in the run game have reared their head recently.
Alabama was held to just 54 rushing yards in its 26-10 loss at Tennessee on Oct. 17. Against Texas A&M a week later, the Tide rushed for 68 yards in a 31-20 win over the Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
"Each of the last two times that they played LSU in Death Valley, Alabama's been held under 70 yards rushing," Klatt added. "And (those were) even with better Alabama teams and teams that are more willing to run the football."
Can LSU get 'out of its own way' against Alabama?
Each of LSU's losses have been by one score, and both came down to the final play. The Tigers fell 32-24 at Ole Miss in Week 3 and lost 35-34 at Kentucky on a two-point conversion in overtime on Oct. 10.
Klatt wondered if LSU could avoid turnovers and score points on Kane Wommack's Alabama defense. He believes the answer is yes and that quarterback Sam Leavitt is playing at a high level.
Since the Tigers' loss to Kentucky, Leavitt has thrown for 289 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-0 win over Mississippi State and 388 yards with three touchdowns in a 38-7 win at Auburn.
"He's taking care of the ball. He gets Trey'Dez Green back. You've got some guys back for Alabama (but) I don't know how much they're going to give you. Ryan Coleman-Williams is going to be back. Zabien Brown might be back. I just think LSU, they're going to be a team that's going to be very difficult to beat in this one."
Coleman-Williams was officially listed as "questionable" on Wednesday's SEC availability report.
Will Alabama beat LSU in massive Week 10 showdown? Joel Klatt's final score prediction
Klatt believes LSU's defense will record five or more sacks of Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell.
Because of that, Klatt is taking the Bayou Bengals to beat Alabama at Tiger Stadium for only the third time since 2008. His final score prediction:
"I've got LSU 30, Alabama 17."
Klatt is 4-1 when picking Alabama games this season. He correctly predicted the Crimson Tide would beat Kentucky, Florida State and Mississippi State in Week 5, and lose to Georgia. He incorrectly picked Alabama to beat to Tennessee, 31-17.
ESPN predicts the final score of Alabama football vs. LSU
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) November 5, 2026
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Joel Klatt blasts playoff selection committee for Alabama's initial CFP ranking
Klatt ripped the committee for having the Crimson Tide No. 5 in its playoff rankings reveal on Tuesday:
While pointing out the oddsmakers' 6.5-point spread favoring LSU against Alabama, Klatt mockingly said:
"Oh my goodness! You mean Vegas doesn't agree with the committee, either? No, they don't. No one does. Literally no one. Not even Bama fans. Maybe Paul (Finebaum)? I don't know.
He added that the committee thinks Alabama is "the greatest team since sliced bread" and continued mocking the panel:
"Did they lose two games. No way. No way. It was like a figment of our imagination, guys. They didn't lose two games. No way. They beat Mississippi State, who was undefeated at the time."
Miami vs. Notre Dame, Georgia at Ole Miss and more college football predictions from Joel Klatt in blockbuster Week 10
Week 10 across college football features the most loaded slate of games this season. In addition to Alabama-LSU, No. 1 Miami visits No. 4 Notre Dame (No. 11 CFP) in a top-five matchup in South Bend. No. 3 Utah hosts No. 7 BYU (No. 9 CFP) in Salt Lake City, and No. 2 Georgia visits No. 12 Ole Miss (No. 10 CFP).
Elsewhere in the SEC, No. 10 Texas travels to No. 19 Missouri in top-25 action.
Here are final score predictions from the Fox Sports analyst for Saturday's Week 10 bonanza of ranked matchups.
- Notre Dame 30, Miami 27
- Georgia 28, Ole Miss 24
- Missouri 21, Texas 17
- Utah 27, BYU 20
- Ohio State 30, Oregon 20
TV channel, announcers, kickoff time for Alabama vs. LSU
'College GameDay' announces Week 10 location, unenviable position
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) November 4, 2026
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Kickoff for Alabama-LSU in Week 10 of the 2026 college football season is 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Tiger Stadium. The game can be seen on ABC. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will have the call of the game. Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge will report from the sidelines.
Additionally, the Crimson Tide Sports Network feed of the game featuring Alabama radio voice Chris Stewart and Tyler Watts can be heard on SiriusXM channel 84 and The Varsity App.
Alabama football schedule 2026
All times Central.
- Sept. 5: vs. East Carolina Pirates (W, 48-10)
- Sept. 12: at Kentucky Wildcats (W, 45-17)
- Sept. 19: vs. Florida State Seminoles (W, 50-36)
- Sept. 26: vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (W, 49-18)
- Oct. 3: at Mississippi State Bulldogs (W, 56-23)
- Oct. 10: vs. Georgia Bulldogs (L, 20-17)
- Oct. 17: at Tennessee Volunteers (L, 26-10)
- Oct. 24: vs. Texas A&M Aggies (W, 31-20)
- Nov. 7: at LSU Tigers, 2:30 p.m., ABC
- Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt Commodores, 11:45 a.m., SEC Network
- Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga Mocs, 1 p.m., SEC Network+
- Nov. 28: vs. Auburn Tigers, TBA
Record: 6-2 overall, 4-2 SEC.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Joel Klatt gives Alabama football vs. LSU score prediction
