No. 1 Tide, Tagovailoa brace for No. 4 LSU
The time has come. November is here for No. 1 Alabama after eight consecutive victories to start the season, none of which required quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to play in the fourth quarter.
That might — might — change this week with a night game at No. 3 LSU.
Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) is a 14-point favorite heading into Tiger Stadium to play LSU (7-1, 4-1), with the winner being in the driver’s seat for the SEC West title … and there are a lot of implications for the College Football Playoff, too. Both teams are coming off a bye.
“I heard it’s really loud over there,” said Tagovailoa, a sophomore who is the Heisman front-runner heading into the final month of the college football season. “I heard that it’s a really hostile environment that we’re going to. I thought Tennessee was very loud. From all the guys who played there in previous years, they said it’s really, really loud. I’m excited.”
Coach Nick Saban’s team has a season scoring edge of 433-127 and has won every game by least 22 points, which explains why Tagovailoa’s services haven’t been needed in the fourth quarter.
“I don’t even know,” he said Monday, when asked the last time he played a complete game. “I’m not too sure. I couldn’t even tell you that.”
This might be the week. LSU — with standouts such as linebacker Devin White, safety Grant Delpit and cornerback Greedy Williams (although White will miss the first half because of a targeting penalty) — has the kind of talent to slow down what has been a relentless Alabama attack.
Moreover, backup Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts was considered day-to-day early in the week because of a high ankle sprain suffered against Tennessee on Oct. 20. If needed, redshirt freshman Mac Jones will be the backup.
Tagovailoa has not thrown an interception in 152 attempts this season. LSU is tied for first nationally with 14 interceptions.
“Great athlete,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said of Tagovailoa.
“First of all, his release is phenomenal. His ability to run, outstanding athlete. … But, you know, we have some good DBs. I think we match up well with them. It’s going to be a battle, but I think we match up very well.”
Traditionally, the Alabama-LSU game epitomizes big-boy SEC football. Maybe this matchup will be different because this is Alabama’s best offense under Saban, and LSU — even with modest numbers offensively — is a bit more wide-open in its attack with Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow at quarterback.
“They’re a completely different team now,” Saban said. “I don’t think this team is like any LSU team we’ve seen in recent years in terms of what they’re doing offense.”
