Stopping Williams early in the game will be key.

If I remember correctly from 1/9 bama established their offensive identity in that game by throwing short trows to Smelley and Williams via rub routes and TE screens. This slightly open up the run game and down field throws for the rest of the game and it kept the chains moving. These were not big plays but they were highly effective (4, 6 and even 15 yards).

I think Saban will take the same approach. He will use 1st down to throw short passing routes to their big TE Williams and try and get 4 and 5 yards a pop. The LSU defense has to stop this.

How do you think Chavis will plan for Bama's short TE routes to Williams? I think (whatever side Williams lines up on) that Sam and Mingo should drop off into coverage and allow one of the slightly quicker LB's to rush McCarron. This scheme would be more effective at disrupting Williams (effecting him immediately at the line of scrimmage) and McCarron's timing. Forcing bama into a incomplete pass on first down would be huge because 2nd and 10 plays right into Chavis' defense.