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Three Alabama Crimson Tide Stars LSU Tigers Must Neutralize This Weekend
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- Three Alabama Crimson Tide Stars LSU Tigers Must Neutralize This Weekend
(Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News)
The LSU Tigers had a nice week on their bye, but now it is back to business with an extremely tough opponent waiting for them in the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide . The Tide being ranked so highly was a surprise to many, but they are a talented team.
Lane Kiffin is getting his offense prepared to protect the ball and Blake Baker is trying to get his defense ready to slow down a dangerous passing attack. Here are a couple of Alabama players to keep an eye on this weekend , as they could end up dictating the game:
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QB Keelon Russell
As Russell goes, so does the Crimson Tide. Whenever he is able to get going and move the ball through the air, Alabama wins. The Tide's rushing attack ranks 12th in the SEC, while their passing offense ranks third.
Over the two losses that Alabama has suffered this year, Russell completed 59.3% of his passes for 332 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He had 365 yards and four touchdowns with no picks against South Carolina alone. They were able to overcome a poor performance against the Kentucky Wildcats, but that was thanks to the defense scoring twice and a great day from the kicker.
If Baker's defense can slow Russell down, then the Tigers will feel great about their chances. They were exposed a bit whenever they faced Trinidad Chambliss and Kenny Minchey, though. The two losses had stretches where the defense couldn't stop anything through the air, which was made more frustrating when considering the ceiling of this defense.
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WR Lotzeir Brooks
A large portion of the offensive production in those games against the Ole Miss Rebels and Kentucky Wildcats was the slot receivers. Rebels slot receiver Traylon Ray led the team with seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Wildcats receiver Kenny Darby had four catches for 79 yards.
Most of the attention will be on Ryan Coleman-Williams, as the bigger name, but Brooks has been very productive and is a big-play threat (which this defense has been susceptible to in the past).
LB Luke Metz
Metz is one of the best players on the Tide's roster. He had 57 tackles with a pick six and two fumble recoveries. He doesn't rush the passer a ton, but can certainly generate pressure when he does. He is an asset in the run game. Even his coverage is solid, allowing just a 66.4 NFL passer rating when targeted this season.
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Alabama doesn't allow a ton on the ground and is tied for the conference lead in interceptions. Metz could have a big impact on how effective Sam Leavitt is in this game, especially over the middle of the field. Leavitt won't be gifted much there, so he'll have to find other ways to win.
Honorable Mentions
DE Yhonzae Pierre
WR Ryan Coleman-Williams
LB Caleb Woodson
RB Trae'shawn Brown
CB Zabien Brown
