The make or break of LSU’s season comes down to Saturday in Tuscaloosa when the No. 14 Tigers battle the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide.
For LSU to have a chance at the Southeastern Conference championship game and winning the SEC West, it needs the win against Alabama. Isolating its impact players will be key.
Here are some of the top Crimson Tide threats.
Offensive Players
Jase McClellan
With an Alabama offense that relied heavily on the passing game in the beginning weeks, McClellan didn’t get many carries at running back. Now further into the season and against SEC opponents, McClellan dominates with more attempts than before. McClellan has recorded 569 yards in 122 carries.
Wins against Arkansas and Tennessee were largely due to McClellan’s explosiveness. He had 115 yards against the Volunteers, and the Crimson Tide will lean on his talents against LSU. He’s also a threat to the Tigers because of his ability to catch out of the backfield. With an average of 71 yards per game, LSU needs to contain him.
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Jermaine Burton
Playing for two powerhouse SEC schools, Georgia and Alabama, Burton is a top wide receiver with skillful technique in every route he runs. Whether it’s using his speed on the long ball or catching short receptions and adding extra yards, LSU has to keep him covered and not allow him to beat out the defensive back.
Burton ties for the most receptions on the team with 23. He has 508 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns, the most for anyone on the Tide’s roster.
Isaiah Bond
Along with Burton, this wide receiver has 23 receptions. Bond is positioned as the slot receiver. He’s fast, physical and can exploit gaps in coverage. With three touchdowns and 360 yards, Bond is second to Burton in both categories. He is expected to be a punt returner in this game, which should showcase his speed against LSU.
Jalen Milroe
LSU must keep pressure on Milroe, Alabama’s quarterback. This will force him to make tough throws, and hopefully stop him from escaping the pocket for big run plays. Milroe sits at No. 3 for the Crimson Tide’s offense in rushing yards with 142. He also has 1,617 passing yards. He’s recorded 13 passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns.
JC Latham
Arguably one of the Tide’s highest-impact players, Latham is 6-foot-6-inch, 360-pound right tackle. He no doubt will give LSU pass rushers trouble when the Tigers are attempting to get to Milroe. He embodies the physicality in players that Alabama has been known for throughout its history. LSU linebackers like Harold Perkins Jr. will be key to put pressure on the edge.
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Defensive players
Dallas Turner
Outside linebacker Turner is aggressive and breaks through offensive lines to put pressure on the quarterback. He leads the SEC in sacks and is an elite speed rusher.
He’s stronger and more powerful than last season and has recorded 10 quarterback hurries and 11.5 tackles for losses. Right now, he’s No. 18 on PFF’s Big Board for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Chris Braswell
Braswell has 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Both he and Turner are outside linebackers in the 3-4 defense and will pose huge threats from both sides to LSU’s offensive line, and especially to quarterback Jayden Daniels. Together they’re dynamic playmakers that should make an impact on Saturday.
Kool-Aid McKinstry
McKinstry has one of the highest forced interception rates in the NCAA over the last two years. At cornerback, he has five pass breakups and was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award on Tuesday. McKinstry will aim to stop LSU’s receivers and has the speed to keep them constantly covered.
Caleb Downs
This strong safety is sixth in the SEC for total tackles and tied at second for solo tackles. In his true freshman season, Downs leads the defense with 63 tackles and two interceptions. He was selected to the On3 Midseason Freshman All-American Team.
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