The LSU-Alabama rivalry looks to add another exciting chapter Saturday when the two teams meet in Tuscaloosa. The Fighting Tigers come into the contest playing their best football of the year, while the Crimson Tide is undefeated and should be well rested after not playing last weekend.
During his weekly luncheon with the media, LSU coach Les Miles didn't hide the fact that Alabama is a very good football team.
"I think this team that we play is very talented and very well-coached," Miles said. "There are no weaknesses. This will be a great challenge for our football team."
The strength of this Alabama team is its defense. The Tide is only allowing 11 points a game and opposing teams are only averaging 65 yards rushing a game.
Six-foot-5, 354-pound, Terrance Cody clogs up the middle and it takes two people to block him. Cody's presence allows sophomore Marcell Dareus to wreak havoc in the backfield. He has a team-high 4.5 sacks.
Junior Rolando McClain is one of the top linebackers in the SEC and leads the team in tackles with 57. Seven of them have been behind the line of scrimmage.
Bama's secondary also features two impact players. Sophomore strong safety Mark Barron is tied for the SEC lead with four interceptions, and cornerback Javier Arenas is third on the team in tackles, and also has four sacks.
Arenas is also a threat on special teams. He's averaging 28 yards a kick-off return, and 17 yards on punt returns.
Alabama's offense has not been impressive in recent weeks, but they have one of the top running backs in the country. Sophomore Mark Ingram has already eclipsed 1,000 yards for the season and he's averaging 6.6 yards a rush. Freshman Trent Richardson has been solid, and Roy Upchurch can be explosive.
Everyone who watches college football knows about wide receiver Julio Jones. He was slowed earlier in the season by a knee injury, but appears to be fully healthy now. Jones caught a season-high seven passes against Tennessee in his last game.
Quarterback Greg McElroy got off to a good start, but he's struggled lately. He hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since October 3rd and hasn't thrown for more than 150 yards in a game since September 26th. But Miles has been impressed with McElroy.
"To me, I see a guy who has a very good throwing motion and a guy who can make the throws," Miles said. "I don't know that I would characterize his play as slumping. To me, I think he's making good decisions with the ball and getting the ball to the guy who he is supposed to give it to."
RIDLEY TO GET MORE REPS
Running back Stevan Ridley's performance in the 4th quarter against Tulane has opened the eyes of his coaches. Ridley rushed for 73 yards on 8 carries and scored on a 10-yard touchdown run. Miles said he saw enough to award Ridley with more playing time.
"He wants to play," Miles said. "He is a very good running back and looks forward to that opportunity. Frankly, with maturity and how he's developing, I think he should get snaps from this point forward."
Ridley has also been a contributor on special teams, with ten tackles on the season.
SHEPPARD IS ON AN IMPRESSIVE STREAK
Junior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard's 13 tackle performance against Tulane is the first time since Brady James in 2002 that an LSU player recorded double figures in tackles in three straight games.
"He's taken it upon himself to improve his play," Miles said. "He's a very bright player. He really takes coaching well, and he has a spirit that our team is attracted to. Not only is he a very good player, but he's a leader of our football team."
MILES PASSES SABAN ON LSU'S ALL-TIME WIN LIST
Les Miles is seeking his 50th win as head coach of the Tigers. The Bayou Bengals victory over Tulane gave Miles 49, one more than Nick Saban achieved during his five years in Tiger Town. Miles is now third in school history when it comes to victories. Charles McClendon is number one with 137, followed by Bernie Moore who had 83.
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