Neither Alabama nor LSU Can Afford Loss in Crucial SEC Matchup

No. 11 Alabama travels to No. 14 LSU on Saturday in what could be a knockout game in the College Football Playoff.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, left, talks to linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt , in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 5, 2024. George Walker IV/AP Photo

No. 11 Alabama travels to No. 14 LSU on Saturday in what could be a knockout game for the expanded College Football Playoff.

The stakes also add more fuel to the already heated Southeastern Conference rivalry.

The Crimson Tide (6–2, 3–2 SEC) currently holds the 11th spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff Rankings and needs to keep winning to retain that position. The Tigers (6–2, 3–1 SEC) are ranked 15th in the CFP poll but a win over Alabama would likely catapult them back into the 12-team playoff bracket.

Alabama leads the all-time series against LSU 56–27–5 and won last year’s 42–28.  This time, the key for the Crimson Tide is getting off to a fast start against the Tigers, according to coach Kalen DeBoer.

“You just can’t dig yourself a hole, especially giving the opponent momentum in an environment like we’re gonna see at LSU. So it’s critical,” DeBoer said at his pregame press conference on Nov. 4. “We preach it every day. We try to even set up our practice to where we do start fast, whether it’s offense or defense. And we did’t get that done the last two road games, as you mentioned.

“Always an emphasis on that, but really, it comes back to not really—the guys are trying. It’s just a matter of doing things that you do well, going out there and executing.”

Alabama is led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, who has accounted for 25 total touchdowns—13 passing and 12 rushing—in eight games this season. His 25 total scores lead the SEC and are the fifth-most in the FBS. Milroe’s 12 rushing scores are the third-most among quarterbacks in Division I, while his 13 passing touchdowns are tied for fifth-most in the SEC.

Milroe’s favorite target has been freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams, who leads the team in yards receiving (702), receptions (35), and touchdown catches (7) so far this season. His 20.06 yards per catch average is 11th among all FBS receivers.

The running attack is led by Jam Miller and Justice Haynes, who have combined for 800 of the Crimson Tide’s 1,421 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

Alabama has also been stout defensively and has forced nine fumbles with seven recoveries over eight games this season. The Crimson Tide’s seven recovered fumbles are tied for the fourth-most in the SEC and the fifth-most in the FBS.

The Crimson Tide has forced 18 total turnovers—seven fumbles, 11 interceptions—in its first eight games, tied for the most in the SEC.

Linebacker Que Robinson currently leads Alabama in sacks (4) and tackles for loss (7).

LSU needs to bounce back from a devastating 38–23 loss to No. 15 Texas A&M on Oct. 26, which snapped a six-game winning streak. The Tigers are coming off the bye so they had an extra week to prepare for Alabama.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier throws for 328.4 yards per game—ranked second in the SEC—with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Overall, Nussmeier has completed 208 of 333 passes for 2,627 yards this season.

Nussmeier had several targets at wideout with four players with at least 29 receptions led by Kyren Lacy, who has caught 41 passes for 618 yards with six touchdowns. Tight end Mason Taylor has 39 receptions for 369 yards and two scores.

Freshman running back Caden Durham leads the Tigers in rushing with 397 yards and 6 touchdowns on 73 carries.

The defense is led by linebackers Whit Weeks, who has 75 tackles with 2.5 sacks, and Greg Penn, who has amassed 59 tackles). Defensive end Bradyn Swinson leads the team with eight sacks, while Sai’vion Jones has 4.5 sacks.

“Coming off a bye week our team is excited about getting on the field, certainly at home against an outstanding football team in Alabama,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said at his weekly press conference. “Again, it’s like anything else, each and every week in the SEC is an incredible challenge and one that we’ll have to meet with the best game of the year.

“Certainly we didn’t execute for four quarters well enough against A&M, and we lost that game on the road. We look to play four quarters of football. If we play our best for four quarters, we expect good outcomes.”

Oregon (9–0) leads the College Football Playoff Rankings followed by Ohio State (7–1), Georgia (7–1), and Miami (9–0).