Sorry about the long post, but I wanted to share what a longtime friend and HUGE Bama fan sent me this am. He is an unvarnished, studious fan of the game...unlike those that call-in to PF. For what it's worth:

"For LSU it all comes down to QB play. He doesn't have to play like Tom Brady...but he has to be effective and efficient and back our LBs and Safeties' off the LOS. If that happens, Guice and your RBs will have creases to gain yards. If not, that is how Bama smothers teams. Right now I think we are a bit overrated because of the competition we have played so far. A&M was the only game that was tough, and to be honest it was more us just sucking arse on offense than it was them being good. We are more than beatable this year...and this is why. Our DL is super super thin. Our best end, Hand, has been out since Ole Miss with a meniscus. Word is we 'might' have him back for our game, but he won't be 100% or game ready. The loss of our top 2 rush outside linebackers for the season against FSU is significant and you would have to be someone who watches every game closely to notice. We have had to dial up CB and safety blitzes to create pressure on the QB without those guys...so when they are picked up, we get burned downfield.

Now the real reason we are beatable is the blueprint has been set for the last two years on how to slow down our offense. Tennessee did it for almost the entire first half, but didn't have the athletes on either side of the ball to complete the deal. You simply stack 8 in the box, slow down our running game and make Jalen Hurts throw. I love Jalen....he is a winner and a gamer....can break a play open with his legs like there is no other...but he 1) can't read defenses ...cannot go through progressions, 2) He tucks the ball if his only read isn't open, and often gets taken down at the LOS, and 3) his arm is actually below average. You know other than the last few years the trend is always the away team getting the best in our series. I'm certain this will be a TIGHT game and I think LSU has a great chance of winning. I won't be surprised....."