No. 1 Alabama at No. 16 LSU (Plus 3.5)

Nick Saban will be on the opposite sideline when he returns to Baton Rouge for
the first time as Alabama’s head coach. Alabama leads the series 43-23-5. LSU
won last season in Tuscaloosa 41-34 and has won five straight against the
Crimson Tide.

The rushing game will be the key to this game. Alabama’s defense leads the SEC
and is second in the nation holding opponents to 65.6 rushing yards per game.
Via the legs of Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram the Crimson Tide’s offense has
been able to average 205.3 rushing yards per game.

If LSU wins the turnover margin, running back Charles Scott has a big game and
the Tigers defense holds Alabama to under 105 rushing yards LSU should be able
to defeat Alabama for the sixth straight game.

LSU 24, Alabama 20

Random Notes
Alabama
The Good
The defense leads the SEC and is ranked second in the nation holding opponents
to 65.6 yards rushing.
The offense leads the SEC and is ranked 18th in the nation gaining 205.3
rushing yards per game.
The defense is fourth in the nation in total defense and sixth in the nation
in scoring defense (12.2 ppg).

The Bad
‘Bama only gains 163.7 yards a game passing, 102nd in the nation.
Ranked 103rd in kickoff returns (19.3 a return).

LSU
The Good
The defense is ranked 17th in rushing defense (105.8 ypg) and 21st in total
defense.
The punt return team is ranked 14th in the nation averaging just under 15
yards a return.

The Bad
The Tigers are minus 5 in turnover margin.
LSU ranks last in the SEC and 104th in the nation in kickoff returns.


Players
Quarterback
Bama- John Parker Wilson 92/152 (.605), 1,072 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT

LSU- Jarrett Lee 84/141 (.596), 1,041 yards, 8 TD, 6 INT
LSU- Andrew Hatch 23/43 (.535), 260 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Rushing
Bama- Glen Coffee 760 yards, 7.0 ypc, 5 TD
Bama- Mark Ingram 419 yards, 5.4 ypc, 6 TD

LSU- Charles Scott- 631 yards, 6.4 ypc, 8 TD
LSU- Keiland Williams 137 yards, 4.3 ypc, 0 TD

Receiving
Bama- Julio Jones 341 yards, 22 rec., 15.5 ypr, 4 TD
Bama- Nick Walker 208 yards, 20 rec., 10.4 ypr, 2 TD

LSU- Brandon LaFell 462 yards, 33 rec., 14.0 ypr, 3 TD
LSU- Demetrius Byrd 291 yards, 19 rec., 15.3 ypr, 3 TD

Defense
Bama- Rolando McClain leads the ‘Tide with 58 tackles.

LSU- Rahim Alem leads the SEC with 8 sacks and leads the Tigers with 8 TFL.

Team Stats
Alabama   LSU
Rushing- 209.3  Rushing- 178.3
Passing- 161.9  Passing- 220.5
Total- 371.2  Total- 398.8
PF- 32.3  PF- 31.2
PA- 14.4  PA- 21.5