Two experienced quarterbacks, intimidating home crowds and the desire for the conference title only touches on the similarities between LSU and conference rival Alabama.
Offensive and defensive performances for both teams have accumulated numbers so close on both sides of the ball that it may take something else to win Saturday.
Quarterback Brodie Croyle has had stellar performances since coming off of injury last year, but the Tiger offense holds precedence in many areas on the stat records.
LSU has scored 33 touchdowns so far this season – seven more than Alabama. The Tigers have 35 more points scored and 160 first downs, as opposed to the Tide’s 80.
Croyle has 45 more yards than LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell in passing yards. Croyle has thrown for 1,980 yards while Russell has accumulated 1,935 yards. Alabama dominates over LSU in rushing yards. Alabama totals 1,435 while LSU stands at 844 after eight games.
Alabama’s total yardage – 3,415 – only ranks higher than LSU’s 3,208 total offensive yards by 207.
With such small deficits, senior offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth said it will come down to the smaller things that will determine the outcome of the game.
“It will come down to who keeps hitting and won’t stop,” Whitworth said. “We have to practice that way. Mental toughness belongs to who is tougher.”
Penalties and turnovers were two of the weakest areas for LSU earlier in the season, but Alabama does not trail far behind in mistakes.
The Tigers have committed 72 penalties for 611 yards while Alabama has 51 on the season for 407 yards.
Sixteen LSU fumbles, 11 lost on the season are only two more than the Tide’s 14, eight lost.
“It comes down to ball security,” center Rudy Niswanger said. “Whichever team has less turnovers will come out on top. Penalties can put you in third down situations. It puts a team behind the eight ball. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but when it comes down to it, it does.”
Both defenses have taken advantage of turnovers, but they also rank close together in sacks. Alabama has 20 on the year, trailing LSU only by three. Opponents have lost a total of 175 yards on the 23 sacks provided by the Tiger defense.
Alabama has moved opponents back 132 yards with sacks this season.
“Both teams have good offenses, so we are going to need bigger plays on defense,” Oliver said. “Our defense is playing well of late. They have three good linebackers that are really tough on an offense.”
The only number counted that does not reflect any team’s performance is attendance. Throughout the season, both teams have had more than 450,000 total fans attend home games. The Tide has had 28,000 more than LSU, but have also had one extra home game than the Tigers.
Despite the numbers, Whitworth said either stadium has the same effect, with fans playing a factor as the twelfth man.
“Alabama is always loud,” Whitworth said. “It is going to be a challenge, but we are used to it from Tiger Stadium. We have to focus on the game and what is on the line.”
 
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