The second of Top 10 matchups in the Southeastern Conference pits the #10 LSU Tigers (6-2, 4-1 SEC) against rival #6 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1, 4-1 SEC). The winner of Saturday’s contest will get a leg-up in the SEC West standings, with both teams, along with Ole Miss, tied atop the standings.
Saturday’s kickoff is at 7 p.m. EST inside Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama is a 13.5-point favorite, and the over/under total sits at 56.5 points.
What to Know – #6 Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama’s lone loss of the season came on the road against the current top team in the CFP poll. The Crimson Tide bounced back the following week with a 30-6 victory over Mississippi State before an off week last week.
Bryce Young missed one game with an arm injury but is putting together another All-Conference season under center for head coach Nick Saban. Young has tossed 18 touchdowns to three interceptions, thrown for 1,906 yards, and completed 66.1% of his passes.
The transfer of former Georgia Tech running back Jahmyr Gibbs has benefited the Crimson Tide offense, tallying almost 1,000 yards on the ground and through the air. Gibbs has rushed for 672 yards and six touchdowns while leading the team with 31 receptions, 301 yards, and three scores.
Young has spread the ball around through the air in 2022, with five pass-catchers hauling in 20 passes or more. Wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks leads the team in receiving yards with 376, while wideout Traeshon Holden paces the team with five touchdowns.
What to Know – #10 LSU Tigers
The Tigers were throttled at home a month ago at home by the same team that knocked off the Crimson Tide. Since the loss, LSU bounced with a road victory at Florida and a home triumph over Ole Miss.
Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels has been a welcome addition to the Tiger program. The quarterback is protecting the football, throwing 12 touchdowns with only one interception while completing 69.9% of his passes. Daniels has completed over 71% of his passes in three-straight contests.
Daniels also leads the Tigers in rushing with 524 yards and nine scores. Starting running back Josh Williams is next on the team, carrying the ball 66 times for 305 yards and four touchdowns. LSU’s rushing attack has garnered 1,466 yards on the ground and 23 TDs in 2022.
Malik Nabers has been Daniels’ primary target out wide. The sophomore leads the program with 36 catches for 455 yards. Jaray Jenkins is the LSU leader with five receiving touchdowns, and Brian Thomas Jr. is the only other pass-catcher with multiple scores with three.
The Pick is In
LSU has improved as the season has progressed, and getting the Crimson Tide at home under the lights will help. The results at home against Tennessee raise a concern how the Tigers will do against top competition, and Alabama’s loss to the Vols might have been the spark the Tide needed. Alabama wins this one by 17 points.
The Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide -13.5
