No. 1 Alabama expects toughest test yet at No. 4 LSU
BATONROUGE, LA. (AP) >> As quarterback sensation Tua Tagovailoa tries to envision what awaits him and topranked Alabama at LSU’s Tiger Stadium, he could use recent history as a guide.
Even during this decade of dominance, the Crimson Tide hasn’t so much thrived as survived at deafening Death Valley, where a crowd exceeding 102,000 is expected for the historical rivals’ 83rd meeting on Saturday night.
T. J. Yeldon’s last-minute touchdown on a screen lifted Alabama to a dramatic, comeback win in 2012. LSU appeared to have the 2014 game in Tiger Stadium locked up, but a personal foul pushed the Tigers back as they neared a gamesealing score. They wound up missing a field goal, and Alabama responded with a tying kick to set up its over- time triumph . In 2016, it took a 21-yard scramble by Jalen Hurts to break a scoreless tie in the fourth quarter.
Odds makers apparently expect the Tide to have it easier this time, listing Alabama (8- 0, 5- 0 SEC, No. CFP) as a two-touchdown favorite at No. 4 LSU (7-1, 4-1 SEC, No. 3 CFP).
Tagovailoa has been that good , passing for 2,066 yards and 25 touchdowns without an interception despite taking fewer than 60 percent of Alabama’s offensive snaps.
“He’s quick with the ball. He’s quick with the release. He’s smart,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “He can throw the ball deep. He can run the football. This is a very dangerous football player. I believe he’s the best player in the country.”
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, a graduate transfer from Ohio State, hasn’t been nearly as prolific, but he has largely produced as needed while drawing praise for his poise, toughness, decisionmaking and leadership. Although Burrow’s passing stats — 1,544 yards and six TDs— rank near the bottom of the SEC, he has demonstrated he can fire or finesse throws into tight windows, throw deep and run.
“Joe has played very, very well,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “People try to stop the run, and they make a lot of explosive plays on people — probably have as good a balance as anybody we’ve played this year.”