What aspects of the NC game are you most concerned about?

The following are my thoughts.

When Alabama has the ball:

(1) Stopping the run. I expect Alabama to rely even more heavily on Richardson in this iteration of the contest. For example, I doubt they will repeat the mistake they made in overtime of the first game, failing to the hand the ball off even once to Richardson. I suspect he will ge the ball on every series of the game from start to finish. As was true in the initial game, if LSU can't consistently stop the run, we can't win. I have faith in the d-line, of course;

(2) The Richardson dump pass and Richardson out of the backfield. In the last game, we inexplicably failed to cover Richardson out of the backfield on multiple plays, which led to long gains. That can't happen again;

(3) Intermediate routes over the middle to tight ends and slot recievers. I believe Bama will attempt to exploit our linebackers and nickel backs in coverage. We were beaten on several of these pattersn during the game in Tuscaloosa. (Mo also picked one off, but Tyran and certain other players struggled in coverage on long crossing type routes.)

When LSU has the ball:

(1) Predictable and conservative playcalling/lack of a passing game. I don't believe we can just line up and run directly at Alabama's defense. We have to pass to win. We must be balanced. We must score touchdowns. What this means, naturally, is that Krags and Stud need to call a creative game and that JJ needs to execute with accuracy. If we can throw intermediate routes against Bama and force them to defend the entire field, I think our run game will blossom and we will dominate. If we're one dimensional, we'll founder;

(2) Offensive line. In my estimation, the line had one of its least productive games against Alabama. This was epitomized by our failure to gain a first down on 2& 2 and 3 & 2 during the final drive in regulation. We got very little push in the middle of the line for most of the game. The protection wasn't fantastic, either. Although they struggled mightily against UGA in the first half, I do believe the o-line has improved since Tuscaloosa.