It’s no secret Alabama sophomore running back Mark Ingram is an integral part of the Crimson Tide offense, with 1,004 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns — eight rushing — in eight games this season.But the Alabama wide receiving corps provides a balance to the unit. Junior quarterback Greg McElroy has completed passes to 17 different receivers, and reigning Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year Julio Jones remains a threat to opposing defenses.McElroy and the Crimson Tide passing game will face a rejuvenated Tiger secondary on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in a top-10 showdown in Bryant-Denny Stadium between No. 9 LSU (7-1, 4-1) and No. 3 Alabama (8-0, 5-0). The LSU pass defense is No. 24 in the country and tied for No. 17 nationally with 11 interceptions, already surpassing their total of eight in 2008.
LSU sophomore cornerback Patrick Peterson said he requested to guard Jones on Saturday. Jones, a 2009 preseason All-American, caught a 24-yard pass against Peterson to set up Alabama’s game-winning touchdown against LSU last season.”[Jones] is a talented guy, but we’re probably the best secondary in the country,” Peterson said. “His potential is good, but come Saturday I don’t think it will happen.”Jones, who has caught 20 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown this season, did not play in Alabama’s game against North Texas on Sept. 19, but Alabama coach Nick Saban said the Crimson Tide’s second-leading receiver is back to his normal self. “Julio [Jones] was hurt earlier in the season and played a couple of games where he wasn’t 100 percent,” Saban said in a teleconference. “The last game against Tennessee and with the bye week, he’s 100 percent healthy, playing faster and more confident. He’s a guy that needs to make plays for us.”Alabama senior kick returner Javier Arenas said Jones’ best football is still ahead.”People scheme to try and shut him down, and with an injury, that can be tough for a player as far as being competitive out there,” Arenas said. “He’s always been the same threat, and he’s going to come out full stride this last stretch.”Another wide receiver LSU will have to contend with Saturday is sophomore Marquis Maze. Maze leads Alabama with 15 catches for 280 yards and two touchdowns.LSU junior cornerback Jai Eugene said Maze brings a different force to the receiving corps than Jones.”Maze is more of a deep threat than Julio,” Eugene said. “Julio is a bit stronger and runs a lot of comebacks … I know they have a run game, but as corners we play pass first.”Alabama senior left guard Mike Johnson said he could not emphasize enough the importance of a diverse offensive attack, especially against a top-10 team like LSU.”One of the goals we had coming into the year was to have more explosive plays, especially in the passing game,” Johnson said. “We had a lot of explosive plays and play-action down the field early in the year, and we’ve got to get back to that. There is a lot to be said about SEC defenses that can come in and stop the pass.”Saban said the Alabama wide receivers against the LSU secondary will be a “key matchup” Saturday.”LSU has a really good secondary, very athletic,” Saban said. “They have two really nice size, good physical safeties. They play a lot of close coverage, and our guys are going to have to get away from them and give the quarterback an opportunity to throw the ball.”The LSU defense ranks No. 4 in the country in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 14 of 21 opportunities this season. The Alabama offense is tied for No. 46 nationally in red-zone offense, converting on 32 of 38 trips — 16 touchdowns and 16 field goals.LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis described Alabama’s offense as “very complicated,” with several personnel packages LSU has to be prepared to face.”Their offense doesn’t just line up and get three yards and a pile of dust,” Chavis said. “They’ve got a tailback that can carry the load and great receivers who are good enough that if you load the box on them, then you’re going to pay the price outside.”- – – -Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]