College Football Predictions: Alabama vs. LSU Preview

Written by Jake Thompson
Monday, 09 January 2012 18:17

It’s time for college football predictions in the BCS Championship Game between LSU and Alabama.

The #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1) take on the #1 LSU Tigers (13-0) in Monday’s BCS Championship Game, and our preview will attempt to make predictions on the team that will lay claim to the top honors in college football this year.  Despite losing 6-9 in overtime to LSU during the regular season, it’s actually Alabama that is a 2-point betting favorite with a total of 40.5 at 5Dimes Sportsbook.

Alabama might have lost to LSU earlier this year, but they outgained their SEC rival and would have claimed a victory if some field goals hadn’t gone awry.  The win marked the 7th time in 9 head-to-head meetings that the Tigers have won, and they’ve covered the point spread in the 2 most recent.  Start time for the Alabama vs. LSU game is set for 8:30 PM ET, and the BCS Championship can be watched live on the ESPN channel.

Alabama’s Offense vs. LSU’s Defense:

The Crimson Tide possesses an extremely balanced offense that averages 36.0 points per game with 213.6 passing and 219.8 rushing yards.  Quarterback A.J. McCarron (2400 yards, 66.7%, 16 TD, 5 INT) is a reliable game manager, but Alabama can get slowed down quite a bit by teams that are capable of taking away the run.  LSU’s defense is an elite unit that does well at defending both the pass and the run, making McCarron’s decision-making a key to a potential Alabama victory.

LSU’s Offense vs. Alabama’s Defense:

The Tigers score 38.5 points per game while running for 216.1 yards per game.  The big difference between them and Alabama is that they do not possess the kind of passing attack to sustain their offense when the run is not available.  The Crimson Tide allow just 8.8 points per game on 74.9 rushing yards allowed, and the Tigers could run into some problems if they aren’t able to get the ground attack going.

Alabama vs. LSU Predictions – BCS Championship Game:

Predictions here call for Alabama to get some revenge for an earlier season loss that easily could have been a victory.  The Crimson Tide has a much better chance to move the ball because of their balance, while Alabama’s defense should again dominate the Tigers.  I just believe that Alabama is a step better than anyone else in college football this year, and they’ll eliminate the problems that plagued them in the first game against LSU this season.

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Alabama 23

LSU 13