2nd-and-Reuben
If Alabama wants to find a tendency in the LSU offense, they may want to triple-team Tiger receiver Rueben Randle on every second down where they need 3-to-7 yards for a first down. Randle has 10 catches for 198 yards and 4 touchdowns on this down and span of distance. Randle has seven touchdowns on the season and the fact that he has four on
[caption id="attachment_248" align="alignright" width="300" caption="This catch and run ruined 2010 for the 'Tide"]
[/caption]
second down should give 'Bama something to look for on Saturday night. Oh, and his longest reception of the season -- 57 yards -- came in this category as well.
1st-and-2nd-and-Trent
Trent Richardson likes to do his best work in obvious running downs when everyone knows he's getting the ball. Richardson has 552 yards on 61 carries and 5 TDs on first down where the 'Tide needs 8-to-10 yards for a first down. That's a whopping average of nine yards per carry.
[caption id="attachment_49" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="He just scores touchdowns and stuff"]
[/caption]
An additional five of Trent Richardson's 17 rushing touchdowns have come on 2nd-and-goal situations. This will be good for 'Bama when they get inside the 10-yard line. Touchdowns were hard to come by in the red zone for Alabama in its previous national championship run during the 2009 season. Richardson's ability to move large piles of people has made a positive impact in 2011.
Prime Tide
Alabama's has a 16-1 record at home in prime time games at Bryant-Denny Stadium since Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2007. The 'Tide's 26-23 overtime loss to Georgia in 2007 is the only blemish.
LSU is known as a night team, but they are better known for their nocturnal performances at home. The last LSU prime time game that CBS aired was in 2009 when Tim Tebow and the top-ranked Florida Gators shut down the No. 4 Tigers, 13-3, in Baton Rouge.
Reminder
We have been predicting a 38-16 Alabama win for weeks. If that is indeed the final score, I have agreed to donate high fives to every fan in the 'Bama Nation for Christmas.
Back to the Alabama Crimson Tide Newsfeed