LSU football meets Alabama this week in a game that's always one of the most anticipated on the college football schedule. The game lacked its usual prestige last year when LSU traveled to Tuscaloosa with an interim coach and was already out of the playoff race.
This year, both sides are ranked and in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff. LSU came in at No. 14 in the first CFP rankings of the year. Alabama sat at No. 5. Both squads are 6-2, and a win on Saturday would go a long way toward earning a spot in the playoff.
When LSU has won this year, it's done so in dominant fashion. At the same time, the Tigers have lost to the two best teams they've played. That fact cuts two ways for Kiffin and LSU. Both of LSU's losses are good
ones, but it also means LSU hasn't beaten a "good" team. That can change on Saturday if LSU beats Alabama.
The Tigers get to face the Crimson Tide from the comfort of Death Valley. LSU is favored, which usually isn't the case when the Tigers meet Alabama.
Here are three things that will decide Alabama at LSU in Week 10.
LSU has to sack the quarterback
Alabama's offense ranks 118th in adjusted sack rate. The LSU defense ranks second. LSU's front seven can get after the passer and now face Alabama's quarterback, Keelon Russell, who tends to take sacks. Russell has been sacked 20 times—only Arch Manning and Byrum Brown have been sacked more in the SEC.
Three LSU defenders rank top 10 in the SEC in sacks: Princewill Umanmielen, Deuce Geralds, and Jordan Ross. LSU's pass rush is hard to block with Umanmielen and Ross off the edge while Geralds generates pressure from the interior. Offenses can manage if a defense can only bring pressure off the edge or only generates pressure on the interior. But LSU can do both.
Alabama's offense is good, and if Russell has time to sit and make throws, the Crimson Tide will create explosive plays and win this game. But if LSU can get home before Russell gets the ball out and force the Tide offense to move backward, LSU's defense can control the game.
Can LSU stay on schedule in the run game?
LSU's run game is hit-or-miss. Some weeks, the Tigers move the ball with efficiency on the ground. Other weeks, the ground game is inconsistent, and LSU is forced to move the ball through the air.
Alabama can defend the run. The Crimson Tide rank No. 2 nationally in defensive rushing success rate, limiting opponents to 31.4%. LSU's offense ranks No. 19 in rushing success rate. That's a strong number, but it's not at the elite level of Alabama's defense.
If Alabama stuffs the LSU run game and forces LSU into obvious passing situations, the playbook will open up for the Alabama defense, and Tide DC Kane Wommack will dial up the blitzes and disguise coverages. This defense is good at forcing turnovers, but LSU can flip the script by staying on schedule and avoiding second-and-long and third-and-long. LSU does that by generating successful runs on early downs.
Can LSU QB Sam Leavitt take over the game?
Sam Leavitt has corrected the narrative in recent weeks. Early in the year, Leavitt's turnovers dominated the conversation. The LSU QB was putting up big numbers, but he led the SEC in interceptions through the first two months of the season.
In recent weeks, Leavitt is playing the best football of his career. He's getting the ball where it needs to go, he's creating big plays, and he's not turning it over. Leavitt has dealt with a couple of lingering injuries throughout the season, but he had a bye week to get healthy.
We should see the most complete version of Leavitt yet in Week 10. He's healthy and has a firm grasp on the offense. LSU's pass-catching room is healthy, too, as tight end Trey'Dez Green returned to the field at Auburn.
We mentioned it earlier. If LSU can't run the ball, the Tigers have to move the ball through the air. Leavitt is good enough to take over this game when needed. He can make all the throws, and he's dynamic with his legs. With a strong performance and a win, Leavitt can vault into the Heisman Trophy conversation.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Three factors will decide LSU football vs Alabama
