Rolltide, I know being a BIG BAMA FAN it might be hard to be objective, but do you think Bama's QB can get the job done to take LSU or at least cover the 7to 7.5 pt spread.
I personally would like to take the points with the home team etc, but a little worried about John David:shrug:
I'm probably one of the more objective Alabama fans you will find. I don't drink the crimson kool-aid like a lot of 'Bama fans.
I also never bet when Alabama is involved. But having said all that.... :142smilie
There is no doubt that Alabama is a better team with Nick Saban as the head coach. Personally I liked Mike Shula and appreciated that he took the 'Bama job when nobody else could or would. Having said that, it was time for him to go.
There is a fire in this team that was lacking from a year ago. Alabama has made the most of its opportunities by winning games in the fourth quarter, shaking off the sub-par performance of its defense to win three consecutive games over the last four weeks.
This year's defense ranks fifth in the SEC in rush defense, sixth in scoring defense, ninth in pass defense and 10th in red-zone defense. Yet they've won twice with a dominating defensive effort (Western Carolina and Tennessee) and twice more with an opportunistic defense (Houston and Ole Miss).
In my opinion the big difference is in big-play potential. Alabama ranks eighth in red-zone offense this year after ranking seventh in 2005 and 2006, but those squads had their share of field goals, while this year's team has more touchdowns and only ranks eighth because kicker Leigh Tiffin has struggled in converting his field goal opportunities in the red zone.
'Bama is coming off their best game of the year against UcheaT. Have they turned the corner? It's hard to say.... I believe they are still a year away, but Saban has the Tide playing hard in the 4th quarter and winning in the 4th quarter.
In my mind I keep coming back to the Florida State game in Jacksonville. I still don't know how 'Bama lost to the 'Noles. But that loss by 7 and a 3 point OT loss at home to Georgia separate 'Bama from a Top 5 ranking and an 8-0 record.
Nothing would surprise me in this game. Alright, a 'Bama blow-out win would surprise me... but I see this game going into the 4th quarter and 'Bama has been winning that quarter. LSU seems to be living on borrowed time..... or LSU seems to be a team of destiny.
LSU is the most penalized team in the SEC with 69 penalties through 8 games. Alabama is one of the least penalized teams with 44 penalties through 8 games.
Offensively LSU has scored 40 of 43 times in the Red Zone (with 27 of those scores being TDs). Alabama has scored 32 of 37 times with 23 TDs. Defensively LSU ranks last in the SEC in Red Zone defense allowing 19 of 19 scores. 'Bama is not much better allowing 21 of 24 scores.
LSU is converting on 48% of their 3rd downs and Alabama converting on 43%.
LSU has allowed 19 sacks, Alabama 14 sacks. LSU has 22 sacks and Alabama has 14. (Obviously applying pressure to John Parker Wilson will be a key for LSU).
But enough with the stats. When the season started I predicted an 8-4 record for 'Bama with losses coming against Georgia, Florida State, LSU and Awbarn. So far I'm 2-2, but something tells me that Saban will have a few tricks up his sleeve come Saturday. Alabama has lost 4 in a row to LSU (one of the reason Shula was shown the door) and 7 of the last 10. Bryant-Denny will be rocking and the hype leading up to this game should be at a fever pitch.
If you held a gun to my head and said I had to bet this game, then I would take the Tide and the points. I see a 24-20... 27-24 type game.
No matter how you go Good Luck and ROLL TIDE!
