Alabama Football: Post-Spring game-by-game predictions for 2019

Last year’s battle between Alabama and LSU in Baton Rouge was hyped for two weeks as two Top-5 teams clashed in Death Valley with first place in the SEC West, and a clear path to the playoff, on the line. Despite the hype, the talk of this being LSU’s year to finally climb the mountain, and a raucous crowd at Tiger stadium, the game ended the same way it has the last eight times the two teams have met: with an Alabama victory.

It was a debilitating loss for LSU because they weren’t even competitive. Alabama’s 29-0 win on their field showed just how big of a gap remained between the two programs, despite the big talk by Ed Orgeron. Coach O got his interim tag removed in part due to his plan to beat the Crimson Tide, but he’s now 0-3 and LSU has scored a combined 10 points in the three meetings, getting shut out in both games in Death Valley.

Despite the loss to Alabama, Orgeron was still able to lead the Tigers to a 10 win season and a Fiesta Bowl victory. It was a step forward for LSU in 2018, and with the second most returning production in the SEC, the Tigers could be legitimate SEC and playoff contenders in 2019.

Joe Burrow returns to lead the offense, and the rising senior quarterback really seemed to figure it out over the last four or five games of the season. LSU is looking to play with more tempo and pace, spreading the field for its playmakers in hopes of putting up more points. There’s a lot of talent flanking Burrow, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire at running back and a five-star incoming freshman joining the squad during the summer. LSU also has a very talented crop of receivers who will make life a lot easier for Burrow.

Defensively, even with the losses of Devin White and Greedy Williams, the Tigers should boast one of the nation’s best units.

LSU’s schedule sets up in a way that they could potentially make the playoff without beating Alabama on the road or winning the SEC West. So this game could potentially be the first of two meetings between the Crimson Tide and Tigers in 2019. It’s tough for me to see the gap closing enough from last year, especially with the game in Tuscaloosa, for LSU to pull off this upset.

Pick: Alabama 31, LSU 20

Record: 9-0 (6-0)