Why LSU Upsets Alabama and More in Vegas SEC Predictions Week 11
Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers run onto the field prior to kickoff against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 16 LSU Tigers
SEC Game of the Week
Line: Alabama by 6.5
Saturday Blitz Vegas SEC Prediction: LSU Wins 17-14
To quote Skip Bayless, Rollllllll TiiiiiiiiGERS!!! Roll Tigers!!! That’s what Skip said last year when he picked Alabama to lose to Auburn in the Iron Bowl. We are now applying it to the other Tigers and the SEC West.
This Alabama Crimson Tide team is a little overrated. After Ole Miss’s loss, everybody in Tuscaloosa is already excited about this team being back in control of its own destiny, and they are automatically thinking about Mississippi State. What about LSU? The Tigers have found a rhythm after their two bad losses, Anthony Jennings is getting better at quarterback, Leonard Fournette is emerging as a superstar, and that dominant defense is back. Oh, and did we mention the Tigers are playing in Death Valley?
LSU belongs back in the national title hunt and in the Top 6, but they aren’t getting that respect. So we have gone out on a limb to give it to them. And there is too much hype behind Alabama.
After watching the way the Tide played against Tennessee, the book is out on them: if you have good corners, press Amari Cooper. And if you have a good running game, use it. Tennessee beat Alabama 20-7 after going down 27-0, and those were the only two changes they made. The only reason Cooper dominated was because Tennessee played zone on him in the first quarter. In an odd way, Blake Sims reads a zone much better than he reads man. So LSU will know that and play man. Meanwhile, Fournette will run for lots of yards, Jennings will make just enough plays, and LSU will force a few Alabama turnovers.
The Tide will come in feeling themselves and looking ahead, a tendency that has been part of Nick Saban’s team since late last year in big games. It will happen again, and the mad-hatter in Les Miles will pull out another crazy victory for LSU. Book it.
Next: Ole Miss-Presbyterian Prediction