With the bye week behind it, the LSU football team has set its sights on one of its most anticipated opponents of the season — No. 1 Alabama.
The No. 10 Tigers have fallen in their last two tangos with the Tide, the latter of these being a 21-17 heartbreaker that ended when Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron found running back T.J. Yeldon for a 28-yard touchdown reception in the final minute.
LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said he hopes to spoil Alabama’s plans for a third-straight national championship this Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
“It’s a rivalry,” Beckham said. “They got the best of us the past couple years, and I think it’s time to turn it around.”
The Crimson Tide defense will likely prove to be the biggest obstacle in LSU’s plans, as it sits atop the Southeastern Conference in virtually every defensive category, allowing 281 yards per game in total offense and fewer than 10 points per game.
Still, LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry remained confident that the Tigers will effectively move the football against the stout defense.
“Nobody’s invincible,” Landry said. “No team is invincible. No defense is invincible. They do a lot of things well, but we also do a lot of things well. It comes down to individual guys making plays. That’s what this game is going to be about.”
Led by McCarron, Alabama brings a potent offense averaging more than 41 points and 463 yards per game.
McCarron has completed almost 70 percent of his passes for 1,862 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing three interceptions.
The Crimson Tide also poses a threat on the ground with Yeldon, who averages 6.3 yards per carry and 91.1 yards per game.”
“I have all the respect for [Yeldon],” said LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill. “I like what he does, I like his shiftiness, I like the way he runs the ball. Our defense is going to have its hands full with him this week.”
LSU coach Les Miles said he had a difficult time getting the Tigers enthusiastic to play against Furman last Saturday.
He will have no such challenge this week.
“It’s exciting,” Landry said. “We’re excited for the challenge, excited for another traditional game, another rivalry game that will be in the record books forever.”