For the last 15 years, LSU fans, players and coaches always circled one day on their calendar.
Since Nick Saban took the Alabama job in 2007, LSU-Alabama has become the biggest annual matchup in the SEC, with the winner going on to win the SEC West 12 of the last 15 years.
With that significance comes massive buildup and pressure, something that hurt LSU throughout the 2010s.
Now, in Brian Kelly’s second year as head coach, the approach has shifted, and as LSU goes through its bye week, the team isn’t yet hyper-fixated on its top 15 matchup against Alabama.
“I think it’s a build-up,” LSU running back Josh Williams said about managing excitement for the Alabama game. “You have to know that it’s upcoming but you can’t give all your energy right now to it because it’s not here yet.”
Like many previous years, the 2023 edition of LSU-Alabama could decide the SEC West. With Alabama currently undefeated in SEC play, the Crimson Tide sit on top of the division, but a loss to LSU would put the Tigers ahead.
LSU has had its bye week the week before the Alabama game every year since 2010. The bye week coming at this time isn’t new, but this year’s bye week feels more important than normal.
Injuries
LSU was already down two starters due to injury against Army and lost its best corner to an injury during the game.
Mekhi Wingo and Emery Jones also both missed the Army game, but Kelly called both of their injuries manageable in the week leading up to the Army game. However, Kelly said Tuesday that Wingo still isn’t practicing.
Zy Alexander’s injury caused the most concern for multiple reasons. Kelly said Tuesday that it’s still hard to say whether or not Alexander will play against Alabama but confirmed that he’s not practicing as of Tuesday.
LSU’s secondary is its biggest weakness and has already been hit hard by injuries and other unfortunate circumstances. Denver Harris and Ashton Stamps were also inactive for Saturday’s game, though Kelly believes Stamps will return during the bye week from an injury.
Kelly said on Tuesday that Harris and Duce Chestnut are both inactive at the time and aren’t practicing. This puts further strain on LSU’s depth at defensive back, leaving Sage Ryan, Stamps, Jeremiah Hughes and Laterrance Welch to likely fill in at corner.
Rest
LSU’s 2023 schedule worked out conveniently in that the team had a non-conference opponent followed by a bye week leading up to the Alabama game.
It gave LSU a much-needed break after five consecutive SEC games leading up to the Army game. The SEC is grueling, and there’s no better example of what fatigue can do in the SEC than LSU’s loss to Texas A&M last season.
Texas A&M was 4-7 entering the game, but beat LSU 38-23, giving LSU its third loss going into the SEC Championship, and ending any possibility of a College Football Playoff berth.
Kelly mentioned fatigue being a factor after the loss, especially considering LSU’s depth last season. LSU’s overall depth is better this year, but with the existing injuries, the bye week is critical to maintain that depth.
“There’s some players that are going to get an opportunity to compete that have not played a lot of football,” Kelly said. “So, there’s a lot of work over these next couple of days that our team needs.”
