The LSU Tigers’ offense this season has felt like a team with talent with too many seams exposed — and when facing the Alabama Crimson Tide, the margin for error shrinks dramatically.
LSU came into the year with high hopes on offense. Receivers like Barion Brown and Aaron Anderson, the return of fifth-year quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and expectations that the running game would stabilize.
However, the reality has been rough. LSU’s list of offensive problems runs long, and right now, the Tigers rank 89th in total offense. Red zone issues have become recurring as the Tigers average just 1.13 yards per rush inside the opponent’s 20.
Add to that an increase in three-and-out drives, the Tigers have gone three-and-out on 17 of 75 drives; that’s a little more than double what LSU did during the 2024 season.
So when LSU takes the field against Alabama, what challenges will it face?
Alabama’s strengths are multiple and well-defined. First, the offense is efficient, averaging 34.38 points per game this season, a mark that ranks among the nation’s best. Complementing that is Alabama’s defensive resume; the Tide only allows 18.2 points per game this year.
On film, Alabama’s defense is disciplined and forces opposing offenses to be simplistic and one-dimensional. When the run game doesn’t work, the pass must carry, but LSU has had issues with making explosive pass plays this year.
Against top opponents, Alabama has held teams to manageable chunk plays and pressured quarterbacks into mistakes. For example, Alabama’s defense has allowed just over 350 total yards per home game, and on the road allow under 350. This defense doesn’t give many freebies.
Offensively, Alabama’s passing and rushing numbers are solid; it averages about 118.9 rushing yards per game and around 291 passing yards. So for LSU, that means if you stack the box to stop the run, the Tide will rely on the rushing attack. Neutralizing one piece of the Alabama offense won’t be enough.
For LSU’s offense to succeed in this game, there will need to be a flip in two major switches. The first of two is establishing the run game early; if the Tigers can run with some consistency and force Alabama into a more neutral situation, that will then open up play-action and give the passing game more space.
This has been a season-long struggle for the Tigers, but things may be different under interim head coach Frank Wilson, who has expressed a desire to use the run more.
Second, move the chains. Third-down conversion rate, explosive-play frequency and red zone efficiency have all seen low numbers for the Tigers. Against a team like Alabama, there won’t be any second chances.
The Tide’s defense is built to capitalize on stalled drives and poor down-and-distance situations. LSU needs clean throws, fewer three-and-outs and at least one or two “big swing” plays that jumpstart drives.
Some players to be on watch for are senior defensive tackle Tim Keenan III, who has quietly become the heart of the Alabama front seven. He controls the interior with power and technique that makes him a nightmare for opposing guards. Last season Keenan totaled 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks, but his impact goes far beyond the stat sheet.
While Keenan holds down the trenches, sophomore All-SEC cornerback Zabien Brown controls the air. Last season, he arrived onto the scene as a powerful up-and-coming star cornerback with a total of 18 tackles and one interception that attributed for 99 yards. His ball skills and confidence in man coverage make him a natural fit in Alabama’s aggressive secondary.
Defensive lineman Nelson Overton brings length and discipline to Alabama’s front. His consistency in setting the edge and disengaging blocks influences how offenses attack the line of scrimmage. The film shows some key strengths from him, maintaining outside leverage, forcing plays back inside and collapsing pockets when the offense runs drop-backs.
Against Alabama, failing to convert when in a manageable down-and-distance will lead to long third-downs, predictable plays and pressure that will collapse any rhythm built up.
In short, LSU’s offense is the storyline. Whether the Tigers walk away with a win or not isn’t the question, but rather can LSU play to its strengths and overcome the inconsistencies it’s displayed this season? Alabama means any hesitation is magnified.
The Tide is not perfect either, but there is a fundamental strength they bring to the field, which means LSU must be sharper, more physical and more efficient than before.
