Nice. I'm kind of feeling the same way, but as the OP says, the game has gotta be played. 'Bama is definitely solid and I fully expect these two teams to finish the season 1 and 2. It's just a question of who will be one and who will be two. I'm sticking with LSU finishing 1, but we'll see. Grueling schedule so far, awesome looking team. Everyone is picking Alabama to win. Good. I'm happy about that. Even USC fan this morning mentioned the Colts-Saints to me in the same way you describe. We all know what happened there. With LSU playing so many high-profile games, I am surprised that so many are picking against them. It's not like they haven't seen them. Alabama, OTOH, hasn't been observed nearly as much. Yet these people are so sure they will win. Ok, whatever. Play the game.
Exactly….people who are picking Bama to win has not even watched the 2 teams play more than one game.I understand that most are just picking the home team…but..COME ON MAN !!!!!!
I've watched both teams on a number of occasions. It's a toss up as both are so good at most every facet. The glaring difference is how good Bama has been in red zone defense... an area that has pestered LSU. That said, Bama didn't face Oregon or West Virginia to get the same test... but they have played Arkansas, who is capable of getting points. Bama has the edge in most categories, but I don't think they have an edge in team preparation. I think Saban can get his team tight at times, whereas Miles wants his team to enjoy the moment, not over-think things. Like most big games, who screws up the least will win.
Bama gets a slight edge offensively and LSU gets the nod defensively. Now that's strange to say given Bama has the # 1 ranked defense, but: The only team Bama has faced that has an offense is Arkansas (25th). Can you believe the next highest ranked opponent in total offense they've played is # 88 Penn State. Penn State is 10th in the Big Ten/Twelve in total offense. Florida at # 94 is the only other team Bama has played who isn't over #100 in the rankings. LSU has played # 5 Oregon, # 13 West Virginia, 74th Mississippi State, and # 89 Auburn... all higher ranked than Florida, one of your two common opponents so far, along with Tennessee at # 102. Have a great game tonight!!
Close game. Coaches decisions will dictate. Due to possible turnovers & mistakes, game could get out of hand either way. But these teams play 10 times each would win 5.
