LSU and Alabama are two of the best teams in the country at protecting the football, so I really don't think it'll come down to turnovers. If there are turnovers, I think LSU will most likely be the team committing them.
It's gonna be a slugfest. Simple as that. Two teams that are nearly identical in philosophy and level of talent. This matchup really reminds me of the Florida St & Miami battles in the early 90's. Two teams that are mirror images of each other, playing in a game that will be the epicenter of college football for the season. Those games were hard fought low-scoring, physical, brutal contests, that always were decided by whoever had the ball last. I don't expect Bama-LSU to be any different honestly.
And I'm taking the points vs whoever BOTH teams play the following week. It takes teams about two weeks to mentally and physically recover from games like what we're gonna see on Nov 5th.
For all practical purposes LSU is tied with Oklahoma State in turnover margin per game at +2.1. Alabama ranks 24th in the nation at +0.6.
Dblduce does make a somewhat valid point. 7 of Alabama's turnover's have come in glorified scrimmage games against Kent State & North Texas. The 8th was last week against Tennessee.
I will note that last season LSU won the turnover margin in Baton Rouge 2-0.
As I said previously, in my personal opinion I don't think turnovers will be a factor in the game because I'm not confident either team will turn the ball over. If there are any turnovers I suspect they will probably come from LSU because a) the game will be in Tuscaloosa, b) Alabama is the more physical team c) Alabama's defense is capable of making LSU's offense one-dimensional, thus forcing LSU's QBs into mistakes.
LSU has thrived off of the turnover a bit more than Alabama for the simple fact that they have created more. LSU ranks 14th in the nation at forcing turnovers (2.4 pg), while Alabama ranks 6th (1.6).
I agree that this will be a field position type of game.
LSU has thrived off of the turnover a bit more than Alabama for the simple fact that they have created more. LSU ranks 14th in the nation at forcing turnovers (2.4 pg), while Alabama ranks 6th (1.6).
I agree that this will be a field position type of game.
Meant to say Alabama ranks 68th in the nation (not 6th) at creating turnovers (1.6 pg).
Bama's secondary averages 6' 1.5" and 205 lbs. LSU's secondary averages 5' 11" and 188 lbs.
4-3 defenses and 3-4 defenses are built differently so comparing size is not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. 4-3 defenses typically have smaller d-linemen and linebackers, but LSU is small even by 4-3 standards. The biggest disparity in size is at LBer where LSU averages 6' 1" and 218 lbs, while Alabama averages 6' 3" and 253 lbs. A better indicator would be to compare the respective front 7s to the NFL norm.
Avg NFL DL
4-3 Defense - 6-3, 291 (LSU - 6-5, 274)
3-4 Defense - 6-4, 307 (Bama - 6-3, 305)
Avg NFL LB
4-3 Defense - 6-2, 244 (LSU - 6-1, 218)
3-4 Defense - 6-2, 252 (Bama - 6-3, 253)
Avg NFL Front 7
4-3 Defense - 6-3, 271 (LSU - 6-3, 250)
3-4 Defense - 6-3, 276 (Bama - 6-3, 275)
From this we can see that the size of Alabama's front 7 pretty much mirrors what we'd expect to see in an NFL defense, while LSU would be considered small using the same NFL standard.
And while LSU is clearly a little on the small side, they make up for it in speed (and lot's of it). Alabama will attempt to counter LSU's speed by running the ball right at them.
The matchup of Alabama's offense versus LSU's defense reminds me an awful lot of the matchup between Alabama and Texas in the national championship game . . . size & power versus speed.
Should be a good one boys!!!
Bama's kicking game has been suspect. Last week when the Tennessee kick returner took a knee on a kickoff, the entire student section erupted into a standing ovation. The punting has quitel improved. LSU has the edge in kicking game. The return game is probably about even.
Hillarious Afroman parody on the Honey Badger -
Because I Got High (Honey Badger Remix).
It kind of goes with my plan for a gameday sign which will read something like this "Les eats it, and the Herbal Badger smokes it." It's still a work in progress.
Clicky here. You won't be sorry. 
LSU and Alabama are two of the best teams in the country at protecting the football, so I really don't think it'll come down to turnovers. If there are turnovers, I think LSU will most likely be the team committing them.
It's called an opinion, and I just so happen to have one. Just because my car started today is no guarnatee it will start tomorrow. In the same vein, just because LSU has won the turnover margin in every game they've played thus far is no guarantee they'll win the turnover margin against Alabama.
I'm of the opinion that neither team will turn the ball over, but if there are turnovers, I believe LSU will be the team committing the turnovers. You are free to disagree with that opinion. I, however, am so confident in my opinion that I'm willing to wager a substantial amount of money that Bama will win the turnover battle in this game. If you are confident LSU will win the turnover margin, then this should be easy money for you. You name the amount.
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