INSIDE SLANT
The situation will be far more definitive for Alabama than for LSU when the teams meet in Tuscaloosa.
If the Tide wins the matchup, it will win the SEC Western Division and play Florida, which has clinched the Eastern Division, in the conference championship game.
On the other hand ...
The Tigers, though they would hold the tiebreaker over the Tide should the two wind up with identical records, would still have some work to do. If the Tigers beat the Tide but lose one of their remaining conference games while Alabama wins out, Bama gets the division.
But that doesn't take away anything from this much-anticipated matchup, which is the way the Tigers like it.
"Since I've been here, we've enjoyed games of significance," coach Les Miles said. "This certainly is that. It only counts one, but it's a very important one and one that we'll look forward to preparing for."
Alabama is 5-0 in the conference and 8-0 overall. LSU is 4-1 and 7-1. Since that one loss to Florida, the Tigers have come back with wins over Auburn and Tulane by a combined 73-10 score.
The offense significantly picked up the pace in both games. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson was sharp in the win over Auburn, and the running game was clicking in the rout of Tulane.
A case of lessons learned from failures against the Gators? Possibly.
"Certainly we felt like we were in position to do good things against Florida," Miles said. "Anytime you finish second in a football game, it's a very pointed reminder that you have to improve and you have to continue to improve. I think our football team has done that really since that time."
The defense has been stout all season long, which is a comfort for the Tigers going into this decisive meeting with the Tide.
"It's a great feeling," Miles said. "This defense is playing with passion, want, effort, enthusiasm and contact just like it's supposed to be played."
After playing Alabama, LSU returns home for its final non-conference affair of the regular season. The Tigers are host to Louisiana Tech on Nov. 14.
They finish the schedule with a trip to Ole Miss on Nov. 21 and are back home against Arkansas on Nov. 28.
NOTES, QUOTES--LSU leads the SEC in kickoff coverage, allowing an average of under 17 yards a return. The Tigers also lead the league in turnover margin at plus-9.
--TE Richard Dickson remains five behind record-holder Mitch Andrews in career receptions for a tight end. Andrew had 87 receptions. Dickson has 82. Dickson already holds the school record for receiving yardage by a tight end (903).
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads LSU 44-23-5 (last meeting, 2008, Alabama 27-21 OT).
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Tigers found a rushing game against Tulane with RB Charles Scott going for more than 100 yards for the first time this season. They need to run the ball to take the pressure off sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson does have two of the SEC's best targets in receivers Brandon LaFell and Torrance Toliver, both among the top 10 in conference receiving statistics.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: LSU came up with a shutout for the first time since 2007 in its 42-0 win over Tulane. The Tigers have a solid linebacker trio in Kelvin Sheppard, Perry Riley and Harry Coleman, with Jacob Cutrera coming off the bench. CB Patrick Peterson is one of the top cover guys in the country.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I wish he would have stayed in the Midwest, but he's certainly a great player for them." -- Coach Les Miles, on Alabama RB Mark Ingram, who is from Flint, Mich.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNELTHIS WEEK'S GAME: LSU at Alabama, Nov. 7 -- Last season's overtime loss snapped a five-game LSU winning streak in the series. The Tigers have won the last four meetings in Tuscaloosa, however.
KEYS TO THE GAME: The running game that came alive against Tulane needs to be just as sharp to keep the pressure off QB Jordan Jefferson, who needs to play "within the scheme of the offense," says coach Les Miles. The defense needs to limit Alabama RB Mark Ingram and force the Tide to turn the game over to QB Greg McElroy.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
LB Kelvin Sheppard -- Sheppard leads the defense with 70 tackles, including 7.5 for loss (one sack). He has been in double figures in tackles for the last three games. He and fellow linebackers Perry Riley and Harry Coleman need to keep Bama's running game under control.
CB Patrick Peterson -- Peterson leads LSU in passes defended with eight despite the tendency of opposing offenses to throw away from him. He has two interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, and he also has a fumble recovery.
QB-TB Russell Shepard -- The true freshman is becoming more involved in LSU's offense, either taking the snap himself or coming in at running back. After not playing against Florida, Shepard has rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries over the last two games.
ROSTER REPORT:
--P Derek Helton (hip) has been limited in the past couple of games, leaving the punting up to PK Josh Jasper. But he should be available to punt against the Tide.
--TE Richard Dickson was shaken up against Tulane. He returned to the game, but he has had only one catch in the last two games.
--FB Dominique Allen and Richard Dugas are listed as co-starters on the depth chart, but freshman Thomas Parsons played much of the second half at the position against Tulane. Parsons (6-5, 294) is a converted offensive lineman and adds a powerful punch at the blocking back position.
Previous Report: 11/01/2009
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