The annual clash between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide is once again set to have major repercussions in both the SEC and national title races.
Both teams come into this weekend’s high-stakes matchup with two losses, making a third defeat likely fatal for their College Football Playoff aspirations.
In other words, tomorrow’s showdown is for all intents and purposes a playoff game in its own right.
LSU hopes to bounce back from a brutal 38-23 loss to Texas A&M, where the Tigers surrendered their lead after backup Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed stepped in to deliver three rushing touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Alabama is riding high after a dominant 34-0 victory over Missouri, looking to secure another statement win on the road.
Among analysts weighing in on the game, David Pollack offered his prediction on his “David Pollack College Football” YouTube channel, favoring Alabama largely due to Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe’s impressive running ability.
“Rushing quarterbacks have given LSU fits,” Pollack said. “I don’t think this is a good matchup for LSU. They’ve got to find a way to run the football, use the home crowd. Play action a little bit with Nuss (Garrett Nussmeier). I’ve got the Tide, man.”
Milroe has been a force on the ground this season, racking up 380 yards and 12 touchdowns, making him a critical element in Alabama’s offense.
While his passing has been extremely shaky at times, Milroe is a constant threat with his legs which will surely cause headaches for Brian Kelly’s defense.
However, not everyone agrees with Pollack’s assessment.
On the “College GameDay” podcast, ESPN’s Pete Thamel pointed to LSU’s famous home-field advantage in Tiger Stadium, where Kelly boasts an undefeated 13-0 record in night games.
“My head says Bama in some ways, but I’ve learned in my wiser years to never, ever, ever, pick against LSU at home. Ever. I’m going to take the Tigers,” Thamel said.
For Thamel, Baton Rouge’s electric atmosphere could tip the scales in LSU’s favor, especially with a 7:30pm EST kickoff on Saturday night.
Alabama is currently a slight 2.5-point favorite, though the spread may change as we get closer to kickoff.
Both teams have shown a season of highs and lows, with flashes of title-caliber play some weeks and puzzling performances in others, making this showdown even harder to predict.
Historically, Alabama leads the all-time series 56-27-5, including last year’s 42-28 win in Tuscaloosa.
But the stakes are higher than ever: another loss would make it nearly impossible for either team to put together a College Football Playoff-worthy resume.
As always in this storied rivalry, the outcome is expected to come down to a few key factors – discipline, defensive resilience, and quarterback play, as Jalen Milroe and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier have both proven to be dynamic threats.
What is your prediction for the massive showdown???
