Assessment: Who are your key players (for LSU v Bama)?

1) Etling - He has to be able to consistently make good decisions and to hit intermediate and at least a couple of long completions

2) Duke Riley - He has been playing crazy good of late, and we all expect Kendell to continue his great play, but coverage of short passes and perhaps playing the role of containment for Hurts (or maybe even spy) will be big in this game. I am saying Riley, but really it is the entire LB corp

3) Weathersby - Having him back could be huge.

4) JD Moore - If this guy is healthy, his technique and strength are among the best for a FB you can ask for to open a few key holes. He needs to be at his very best with key blocks.

5) Donte Jackson - His cover skills are improving, but his interference calls are fresh in the minds of the refs. Can he blanket cover without key penalties that give Bama critical second chances?

6) John Battle Jr - He is coming along, but will his cover skills be good enough against Bama?

7) #42 - The low arcs on his FG's is worrisome, as if LSU is to beat Bama, FG's are almost a certainty to be needed.

8) The rest - there many obvious ones like Tre White, Jamal Adams, Key, Kendall, Fournette/Guice - but I am not selecting them in this assessment, because I view them as constants, whose performance will be there as long as the supporting cast around the, does there job.