No. 11 Alabama, No. 15 LSU battle to avoid loss No. 3
No. 11 Alabama and No. 15 LSU are both in contention for a College Football Playoff berth despite having lost two games apiece.
The winner of the game between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La., will strengthen its resume significantly. The loser likely will have to lower its sights for the postseason.
"I know there's been national talk about, 'This is an elimination game,' " LSU coach Brian Kelly said. "If this is an elimination game, every game in the SEC is an elimination game. Everybody that plays each other is an elimination game, so we can put that to rest. Each team in the SEC knows where they're at."
The Tigers (6-2, 3-1 SEC) are one of five teams with just one SEC loss. In their latest game, two weeks ago, they lost 38-23 at Texas A&M in a matchup of the final two teams that were undefeated in conference play. But the Aggies lost at South Carolina last week, creating the logjam.
LSU led Texas A&M 17-7 at halftime but fell apart in the second half. The Tigers rushed for just 24 yards on 23 carries for the game and Garrett Nussmeier threw three interceptions in the second half.
"Garrett can't be the guy who feels like he's got to do everything, and part of that has to come from Garrett," Kelly said. "... A little bit comes from Garrett, a little bit comes from play-calling, a little bit comes from the ability to commit to more balance in the running game.
"That means blocking better and I don't just mean the five (linemen). It's an all-in thing. It's not just one guy giving Garrett more assistance. Everybody's got to be involved in that."
Alabama (6-2, 3-2) has lost its past two road games under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer. The Tide fell at Vanderbilt 40-35 on Oct. 5 and at Tennessee 24-17 on Oct. 19. Like the Tigers, they are coming off an open date.
"You just can't dig yourself a hole (on the road), especially giving the opponent momentum in an environment like we're going to see at LSU," DeBoer said. "So (a good start) is critical. We preach it every day.
"We try to even set up our practice to where we do start fast, whether it's offense or defense. And we didn't get that done the last two road games."
Both LSU and Alabama have essentially used up their margin for error even with the CFP field expanding to 12 teams this season.
"(Our players) want to make something big of this season," DeBoer said. "You see it on the practice field, you see it in the way they're going about their business off the field, just the details that they really continue to hone in on. It's just a matter of time.
"A lot of our youth is rising up and continuing to gain more and more confidence, mixed in with the veterans that continue to have great leadership. I like where we're at."
