Tide Revenge Tour Part II: Bama-LSU Happens on Saturday Night!
Can the Tide avenge last years loss to the Tigers and and make Coach O eat his words?
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Well, this was supposed to be THE week in football for the SEC West as the annual Alabama-LSU donnybrook has arrived. The excitement for the week is still in the air and the fire for the game is burning hot, at least on one side.
LSU put together a magical season last year on its way to a national title, and on the way, they took down the mighty and top ranked Tide 46-41 in Tuscaloosa behind Heisman winner Joe Burrow’s 393 yard, 3 touchdown effort. According to Complex Sports, after the victory, LSU coach Ed Orgeron was recorded by one of his players stating the following:
“We're going to beat their (expletive) in recruiting. We're going to beat their (expletive) every time they see us. Roll Tide what...(Expletive) you!"
Oh my. To his credit, Orgeron would later say that he regretted saying such things, but still...oh my.
LSU limps into its annual tussle with the Crimson Tide at 3-4, coming off the heels of a bad 20-7 loss at the hands of the Aggies from Texas A&M. Starting quarterback Myles Brennan has been sidelined for the past month due to a lower-body injury and is doubtful for this contest as are several of his teammates due to COVID-related reasons. Brennan was having a nice year, completing 60% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. His replacement, freshman TJ Finley, has looked good at times (South Carolina) and like a freshman others (Auburn, A&M). Finley is completing 59% of his passes for 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. This past weekend, Finley struggled on a rainy night at A&M, completing only 9/25 passes (36%) for 118 yards and two interceptions. Leading receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. was having a solid season before announcing on Sunday that he was opting out of the remainder of the 2020 campaign. Even though this unit was stuck in mud against a good A&M defense, they have produced and currently rank 4th in the conference in total offense, averaging 425 yards and 30 points per game. An area of major concern is their performance on third down, as LSU has converted just 34% of their attempts, which ranks 11th in the conference.
LSU’s primary issues have resided thus far on the defensive side of the ball, where beleaguered defensive coordinator Bo Pelini’s unit has struggled. They currently rank 11th in the conference in total defense, giving up an average of 443 yards and 30 points per game. Five of the top eight tacklers reside in the secondary, which is never good news, although freshman linebacker B.J. Ojulari is having a nice season and is tied for the team lead in sacks with fellow linebacker, senior Andre Anthony, with four. Yet, more so than any of the statistics, the Tiger’s performances against Auburn (a 48-11 loss) and Texas A&M were lifeless, without energy or passion, something that the LSU faithful are not used to seeing. Could it be the Tigers have thrown in the towel for the 2020 season?
Photo: Gus Stark / LSU Athletics
The magic of 2019 has quickly worn off in Baton Rouge for a myriad of reasons.
So, here’s the main issue LSU has on Saturday...against Alabama, words like nice, solid, and adequate don’t cut it. Neither do defensive rankings that land close to the bottom in the conference and the nation. The 2020 version of the Crimson Tide is firing on all cylinders, especially offensively. Quarterback Mac “Daddy” Jones has led a unit that is carving up defenses, completing 76% of his passes for 23 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions, which are Joe Burrow/Heisman stats. More so than that, Jones has emerged as a true leader on the squad, calmly leading drive after drive that has produced points. Mac’s ability to continue to move the offense forward will be the key to a possible deep run into the College Football Playoffs. Senior back Najee Harris is having a dream season, scoring 17 touchdowns, and the receiving corps led by DeVonta Smith (1,074 yards and 12 touchdowns) and a dominant, experienced offensive line has created a dynamic, potent offense capable of gashing all that stands in their way. Currently, the Tide offense ranks #2 in the conference and 4th nationally, averaging 535 yards and 49 points per game. In addition, the Tide ranks first in the nation in converting 3rd downs (59%).
The defense was hit hard early in the season, yet it’s found its footing, which is bad news for the rest of the conference and the nation. The Tide defense currently ranks 4th in the SEC, giving up an average of 358 yards per game and 19 points...still very un-Alabama like numbers, but an improvement over the start of the season nonetheless.
Joey Molinaro of Barstool put the feelings of both coaches in perspective with a great parody call between Saban and Coach O.
Rest assured, Tiger faithful...LSU will have every opportunity to prove Coach O’s words from that magical night in Tuscaloosa last season to be true. However, the boys in Crimson and White are focused, rolling, and are more than motivated to make your coach eat his words from last November. Coach Saban is expected back on the sidelines after missing the Auburn game with COVID-19. This one may go the way the last time Bama entered Tiger Stadium, a 29-0 Tide blowout in 2018...or it could be a lot worse. LSU will stick around and play inspired ball to try to make up for the lackluster performance against A&M, as I do believe there is still fight left in this squad. But the Tide will continue to rise and on this day. Alabama rolls over Coach O and the Tigers, continuing the Bama “Revenge Tour” that started with the beatdown of Auburn last weekend.
Alabama 45
LSU 14
Celebrity Guest Pickers: The Whitney Family from Jupiter, Florida
“Overall, it’s just another stop on the way to the Natty!”...Shannon Whitney
Chuck (Dad) Alabama 42 LSU 14 Shannon (Mom) Alabama 38 LSU 3
Leland (16) Alabama 49 LSU 6 Barrett (13) Alabama 45 LSU 10