NCAA Football Betting Preview
No. 9 LSU Tigers (7-1) at No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0)
Saturday November 7th, 3:30PM Eastern

Betus.com betting line – Alabama -9

The highlighted SEC game of the week includes a battle between national powerhouses this weekend with the no. 9 LSU Tigers travel to Tuscaloosa to take on Nick Saban and the no. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers have been strong all year long with a few close wins. Their only loss on the season fell to the hands of top ranked Florida in a low scoring 13-3 contest. However, the Tigers still have the opportunity to represent the SEC West in the SEC Title game this year if they can take down the mighty beast of the west in Alabama.

The Crimson Tide is in pursuit of their 2nd straight perfect regular season. However even as dominate as they have been this year, one loss to LSU could keep them out of the SEC Championship if the Tigers can run the table. Huge factors will be on the line when these two meet to battle it out this Saturday. LSU has hopes to make it to a BCA Bowl and Alabama still has their chances at a National Title. However, just one of those teams will have legitimate chances at those goals after Saturday.

One of the main struggles for LSU on offense this season has been the lack of production from the running game. The Tigers rank 10th in the SEC averaging 140 yards per game. Running back Charles Scott continues to put up mediocre statistics after such a promising 2008 campaign. Scott has 459 yards on the season and the Tigers desperately need him to pick up the pace. However, the guy it will all come down to Saturday will be quarterback Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson is having a solid season with 11 touchdowns and 4 picks hooking up with big name receivers Terrance Toliver and Brandon LaFell.

LaFell leads the SEC in touchdown receptions with 8 total and along with Toliver the two have combined for nearly 1,000 yards this season. However, Jefferson will still be the key guy because he will have the Alabama defensive line in his face likely all day. The Crimson Tide has made quarterbacks look bad all year long with the pressure they get up front and their ferocious defense. If Jefferson can keep from making mistakes, it will allow the LSU defense to keep them in the game. Alabama has been suspect to slow results on offense this year and LSU may have the formula to foil the upset.

Alabama running back Mark Ingram continues to get more Heisman Trophy consideration with each passing week. Ingram has posted 1,004 yards in just 8 games and a large portion of those yards have been after contact. Ingram has the ability to stay on his feet with a low center of gravity and very strong legs similar to legendary Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys. Ingram has shown on consistent basis that he can carry the work load as he did against a big game against South Carolina earlier this year carrying the ball for 24 carries and 246 yards. The Tigers defense must put most of their attention on Ingram, and the big offensive line that has dominated all year long. If LSU does not stop the run, it will be a long day as the Alabama offense wears them down.

On defense, the Crimson Tide is allowing just 240 yards per game. The defensive line has been extremely impressive ranking 1st in the SEC in rush defense allowing only 65 yards per game. Those same guys up front are also averaging right at 3 sacks per contest. Considering the struggles LSU has had running the football, most would expect that to continue against Alabama by the way they have dominated up front. The key will now be on the secondary to stop the talented LSU wide outs and avoid allowing the big plays.

Pick – Alabama may control the game, but their inability to score points will keep LSU within the points. Take LSU +9