Alabama football fans are unusually anxious. LSU fans are confidently expecting an end to their program’s most painful losing streak. Over 100 guys will compete in Saturday’s game. All of them can impact the outcome. How one of them plays will be the most pivotal factor.
At whatever percentage of fitness Tua Tagovailoa begins the game, the bigger question is how well his ankle holds up to contact. LSU will pound Tua at every opportunity. Alabama football coaching schemes and supreme effort by Tua’s teammates will attempt maximum protection of the star quarterback. Will it be enough for four quarters of what is typically one of the most physical games of the college football season?