Alabama will beat LSU. LSU will beat Alabama. The forecasts by the "experts."

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*ALABAMA 20 - Lsu 19—In first-ever SEC reg.-season epic clash between
the top two nationally-ranked teams, prefer to take more than a FG in what
shapes up as classic defensive war pitting the nation’s premier stop units.
Sure, Bama’s 6-4 soph QB A. J. McCarron has done a commendable job
executing his low-risk offense thus far, but he hasn’t seen a defense possessing
as much speed and NFL-ready performers as this Tiger unit, featuring hardcharging
DE Barkevious Mingo (6 TFL, 3 sacks) & marvelous CB Tyrann
“Honey Badger” Mathieu. Sure, Tids owns the premier RB in “freakish” Trent
Richardson (989 YR, 18 TDs). But don’t see him running wild vs. the deep,
impenetrable Tiger front 7 (2.5 ypc, 77 ypg) that limited Oregon’s superstar RB
LaMichael James to a mere 54 yds. in 40-27 season-opening victory. LSU’s
ground game (225 YR) unlikely to flourish as it did in LY’s tilt vs. Bama’s
ferocious front 7, but still believe Tigers mistake-free attack (mere 3 TOs)—led
by battle-tested QB duo of Jarrett Lee (63%, 13 TDs, just 1 int.) & Jordan
Jefferson (10 of 13 for 141 in LY’s upset win)—able to hit more defensestretching
plays to superior WR corps, featuring 6-4 Reuben Randle (33 grabs,
7 TDC) & gifted frosh Odell Beckham (27). Plus, “The Hat” has shown he can
match wits with former LSU mentor “Nicktator,” with Les Miles going 2-2 SU,
with one loss a 27-21 OT setback in Baton Rouge in 2008. TV—CBS
(10-LSU 24-Ala. 21...A.19-15 L.45/225 A.31/102 A.21/34/1/223 L.14/20/0/208 L.0 A.1)
(10-LSU +6' 24-21 09-ALABAMA -7' 24-15 08-Alabama -3' 27-21 (OT)...SR: Alabama 45-24-5) - The Gold Sheet

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Alabama* over L.S.U. by 3
It just does not much better than this. What sticks in our mind from LY’s 24-21
L.S.U. win in Baton Rouge is the way the Tigers got physical on offense, and had
over 200 yards both running and passing. It makes anything approaching a full TD
a worthy take. ALABAMA 23-20.
Oregon over Washington* - Winning Points

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4H ALABAMA over Lsu - First #1 vs #2 matchup in the reg ssn S/’06 and the first matchup of the top
2 tms in Bryant-Denny Stadium history. #1 is 8-12 ATS the L/20 vs #2 but has won and covered 3 of L/4.
This is Saban Bowl 5 and Bama and LSU have split the L/4 meetings since Saban took over at Bama.
Both teams are off a bye and LY both tms were also off byes and LSU held AL to a ssn low 102 rush
yds while LSU (+6’) rushed for 225 yds and pulled out a 24-21 win. LSU has outgained the Tide in 4 of
the last 5 and Miles is 4-2 SU vs AL (only LSU HC to ever beat AL 4x). The Tigers are led by QB Lee
who is avg 156 ypg (63%) w/a 13-1 ratio (#12 NCAA pass eff) while Jefferson has played in the L/4
and is getting more reps each week. RB Ware leads with 512 (4.0) and after being susp vs Aub will be
back here along with defensive star Mathieu. Bama’s young QB McCarron is becoming more than just
a game-manager and is avg 208 ypg (67%) with a 10-3 ratio while RB Richardson 989 (6.6, #7 NCAA)
and 17 TD’s could lock up a trip to NY for the Heisman with a big gm here. While LSU’s D gets alot of
pub they are giving up 251 ypg (14.4 FD’s) while Bama’s D only allows 181 ypg (9.9 FD’s). Bama is
also +280 ypg while LSU is +120 ypg. Saban has done well with revenge going 5-0 ATS covering by
14 ppg. While it is well noted that LSU is 30-1 SU S/’01 in AG’s w/a start of 6:00 pm or later, Bama is
25-1 SU at home S/’07, has the better D, the better HC and the best player on the field in Richardson.
Add it all up and Bama stakes their claim for the national title and a 5th straight winner as a 4H Key
Selection! Roll Tide! FORECAST: ALABAMA 24 Lsu 6 - Phil Steele

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*ALABAMA over LSU by 6
Both coaching staffs had bye weeks to prep for this game which will likely determine
who plays in the BCS national title game. Besides the game being in Tuscaloosa, AL,
’Bama has a few other slight, slight, slight edges. The Tide runs the ball better than the
Tigers. RB Trent Richardson is a beast who is extremely tough for one man to tackle. The
Tide defends the run better than the Tigers. The margin ain’t much, but in a power football
game with limited offensive snaps, any margin is a good margin. ALABAMA, 23-17. - Mark Lawrence

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ALABAMA (-4½) Lsu (43) 7:00 PM
It doesn’t get any bigger than this and the schedule sets up evenly giving
both teams two weeks to prepare for the season-making game. Both teams
have been incredibly dominant and Alabama’s statistical edges are offset by
LSU playing a much tougher schedule so far. This series has been owned by
the road team in recent years though the home team has won each of the
last two years. The winner will be in line for a shot at the national title, the
loser could end up in a number of different places. Both teams have some
tricky games remaining but this game will likely create the only loss for either
squad. Although both teams have remarkable credentials neither team has
the proven QB that you would expect. Jarrett Lee has been a career back-up
before being thrust into his starting role and A.J. McCarron is in his first
season, winning a close early season position battle. Needless to say neither
has faced a defense as good as they will face this week, so this could be a
sloppier game than the build-up suggests. It is not easy to fade Alabama but
LSU has been its best in big games and the points make sense. LSU BY 3 - Nelly's Sportswire

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