Sure, No. 13 LSU’s been down this season. But interim coach Ed Orgeron has reinvigorated the program during his short time in charge, continuing to show he’s turned a new leaf as a man and as a football coach. Under new offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, the offense has turned things around with a new look that uses subtle tweaks to LSU’s existing scheme to get the Tigers’ athletes in different and more advantageous looks.
Alabama vs. LSU 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
A different year, but the same high stakes surround the game.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of offensive ingenuity, No. 1 Alabama is finally reaching its full potential as a juggernaut spread team by marrying the same old slobber-knocking principals to some cloak-and-dagger motions and shifts. Enter triggerman Jalen Hurts at QB and the TIde may look different, but make no mistake, they’re still just as overwhelming on the ground. Good perimeter blocking doesn’t hurt, and it has also been a catalyst to getting Bama’s speed on the edges to crush you.
The Tigers may not be as deadly on defense, but the elements are still there athletically to make this Alabama's toughest defensive test. With a freshman quarterback on the road at night in the gumbo of humanity that is Tiger Stadium, if there is ever a time for Hurts to get rattled it is Saturday night. So far in true road games, Alabama has scored 48 points once and 49 points twice as visitors to Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CBS. The announcers are Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, and Allie LaForce.
Online streaming: CBSSports.com
Spread: Alabama is a 7.5-point favorite on the road.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Roll Bama Roll (for Alabama fans) and And The Valley Shook (for LSU fans).
Three big things to know
- LSU needs the third time to be the charm for running back Leonard Fournette. The Tide have shut down the talented running back in each of the meetings Fournette has played in. During 2014’s game, Fournette had 21 carries for 79 yards with no touchdowns and a longest rush of 13 yards. It was even worse last season when Fournette only gained 31 yards on 19 carries. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Derrick Henry, rushed for over 200 yards. No pressure, right?
- Who LSU will hire as its permanent head coach is still up for debate, but a win Saturday would do wonders for Orgeron’s job security in terms of losing his interim tag. This week, SB Nation reported that along with Orgeron, FSU’s Jimbo Fisher, Houston’s Tom Herman, UCLA’s Jim Mora, and West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen are on the list in Baton Rouge.
- Despite the competitive nature of the rivalry, Alabama has dominated recent meetings. The Tide have won five consecutive games against the Tigers and seven out of the last nine. With a win Saturday, Alabama would have the second-longest win streak any team has enjoyed in the rivalry’s history. Bama owns the overall series record at 11 straight, and have an all-time mark against LSU of 50-25-5.
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