Trench war: Daunting task awaits LSU offensive line

While Saturday’s contest between Alabama and LSU can be dissected from top to bottom, the most critical analysis can be found in the trenches.

In order to be successful, the LSU offensive line must not only protect quarterback Zach Mettenberger, but also be imposing enough on a routine basis to allow the LSU rushing attack to flourish. While one could easily conclude that Alabama is responsible for a similar offensive task, the biggest disparity, could very well decide the final outcome of the game.

Alabama will enter the contest with arguably the best offensive line in the nation, and a group that has been injury-free thus far in 2012. On the flipside, where the distinction lies, LSU will enter the contest with a revamped offensive line thanks in large measure to various occurrences of depletion, whether it be graduation, team departure, or injury.

LSU beat writer Jim Kleinpeter has the story of the “overhauled” Tigers, and how the offensive line will face their biggest challenge to date, the 3-4 defense of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

LINK: Head-to-head: LSU offensive line vs. Alabama defensive line

UA/LSU: Numerical soup with a dash of domination

In advance of a highly anticipated game, many people take the statistical viewpoint in order to “move the pile” and select which team will prevail.

Given the status of the Alabama/LSU contest, and what it will mean to the national title picture, Alabama beat writer Don Kausler Jr. has jumped on the stats wagon.

Kausler, using national team statistics, has comparison charts of LSU/Alabama today, LSU/Alabama prior to the 2011 regular season match-up, and LSU/Alabama prior to the national title clash. The obvious logic and "goal" is to illustrate which team had the statistical edge, and when.

While numerous stat charts are good for comparing the teams, a chart can’t breathe life into a plastic dummy. Both so-called experts and fans have expressed that with just days leading up to the 2012 regular season contest, the “hype” of yet another Alabama/LSU game, is simply not in the air. On the surface, one can’t help but agree.

By all measures, Alabama is a better football team, overall, than LSU. While not decisively better, the Tide have the edge. The Tigers had lofty expectations this season, and while the team is still very good, most pundits assumed LSU would be undefeated at this stage, and more impressive on the offensive side of the football. One could argue that Zach Mettenberger, to this point, is essentially Jordan Jefferson without the mobility. The supposed “savior” of the offense has been very erratic, and has certainly not lived up to the hype.

As a team, LSU struggled to defeat arguably the worst Auburn squad in 60 years, while also falling at Florida, then being taken to the wire by South Carolina, and late into the second half by Texas A&M. Although Florida is the only blemish on the schedule, the Tigers could just as easily have the burden of carrying a total of four losses into the month of November.

As Saturday’s showdown approaches, ‘Bama is favored by just over nine points. On the surface, the margin is a simple product of two things. One being Alabama’s domination thus far in 2012, and the other being LSU’s inconsistency and struggles. For the obvious examples in respect to the Tigers, enter the aforementioned Zach Mettenberger and the documented “close calls” over the last 40 days.

Right now, the only team in college football that can beat Alabama…is Alabama. The Crimson Tide take the field each and every Saturday to compete against themselves, by playing to a standard that is currently unmatched in college football. If the standard-bearers of 2012 invade Tiger Stadium on Saturday night, LSU will essentially have no other option than to admire Alabama’s triumph.

>>>2012 LSU Offensive Statistical Leaders<<<

Top-ranked Tide dominate Mississippi State

How many ways can a beat writer compose the same story? For those who cover Alabama football, that is the question that has to be faced each and every week. The “victims” change, but the story remains the same. How many ways can "domination" be described?

Courtesy of yet another quality outing from quarterback AJ McCarron, and a stalwart and suffocating defense, Alabama improved to 8-0 on the season thanks to a 38-7 victory over the formerly undefeated, Mississippi State Bulldogs. It really is true, same story…different opponent.

  Lead SEC CFB Writer for Bleacher Report

 

While the nation continues to wait with bated breath for Alabama's first “test” of the season, the Crimson Tide continue to destroy the opposition on a weekly basis. ‘Bama has yet to face anything that has even resembled a “close” game, and given the aforementioned score from Saturday night, the pattern did not change.

In typical Alabama fashion, this contest was essentially over after the first quarter of play. Courtesy of a T.J. Yeldon 11-yard touchdown run on the initial drive of the game, and a Kenny Bell 57-yard touchdown reception in the latter stages of the quarter, Alabama led 14-0 before Mississippi State had a chance to breathe.

The game, while actually boring and monotonous at times, proved to be a compliment to the best team in the nation. In true Tide fashion, the contest was a grinder, which included limited offensive thrills and superb defense at the right moments…the essential elements that have made Alabama the “top-ranked Tide” for nine consecutive weeks.

Alabama beat writer shares his sentiments on the 2012 Tide

 

As for individual superlatives, the aforementioned AJ McCarron completed 16-of-23 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns against a solid MSU defense. In respect to the rushing attack, running back T.J. Yeldon's 11-yard touchdown highlighted an 84 yard effort against the Bulldogs.

For the second consecutive game Tide safety Robert Lester turned away the opposition with a critical interception in the endzone. Last week Lester stopped a potential Tennessee scoring drive, and last night, the ‘Bama senior did the same to MSU. In what was shaping up to be Alabama's worst defensive series of the season, Lester picked-off quarterback Tyler Russell to put an end to a 97-yard drive.

Mississippi State running back LaDarius Perkins, who entered the game as the SEC’s leading rusher, was held to a mere 38 yards on 15 carries. The Tide defense held the Bulldogs to 256 yards of total offense.

The “yet to be tested” Tide will now take the show to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers in what promises, once again, to be “arguably” the biggest contest of the regular season in respect to national implications. With Mississippi State in the rear-view mirror, the eyes of the nation will now turn to the rematch of the BCS national title game.

>>>Complete stats and scoring summary<<<

Mississippi State/Alabama: Battle of the unblemished

When the 2012 SEC football schedule was released, many pundits and fans circled the games they thought would carry significance in respect to the “big picture.” Games were circled that could define the college football season, and potentially determine not only the SEC championship
winner…but also the national championship winner.

As we arrive in late October, an easy assumption can now be made. One of those “circled games”…was probably not Mississippi State at Alabama. Yet, at any rate, the top-ranked Crimson Tide will tangle with the Bulldogs in Tuscaloosa, in a season-defining game for both teams. ‘Bama and MSU are unblemished thus far in 2012; with the Bulldogs currently sitting at No. 11 in the BCS standings, No. 13 in the AP poll.

MSU head coach Dan Mullen

So what does it all mean?

Is this a game of two championship caliber fighters attempting to “duke it out” for the grand prize, or is this simply one championship contender in the ring with just another Johnny-come-lately? Is Mississippi State really tough enough, and good enough, to “poke the bear” and get away with it?

Let this “unexpected drama” commence…

Steady quarterback play has saved the day

The “knock” on MSU, for years, has been the lack of production from the quarterback position. The Bulldogs have featured a very meager passing attack, and an offense that literally lived and died with the running game. To say the MSU offense was as stagnant as murky water...would be an insult to murky water.

Enter Tyler Russell as the starter…

Life! Russell has given life to the quarterback position, and the results have been tremendous. Thus far in 2012, Russell is 122-of-203 for 1,573 yards, including 15 touchdowns to only one interception. Under Russell, the MSU offense has essentially been transformed due to his performance, and his general ability to run the offense. Never underestimate the importance of a steady quarterback. Right now, the Bulldogs are basking in the benefits.

MSU beat writer hyping the showdown in T-Town

Perkins leads MSU ground attack

LaDarius Perkins is the “heartbeat” of the State rushing attack, and is one of the reasons why Tyler Russell has been able to run such a balanced offense from the quarterback position. When the “mixed-bag” is working, more players are allowed to shine, which keeps opposing defenses looking for an answer.

Thus far in 2012, Perkins has rushed for 724 yards and eight touchdowns. Perkins is a physically “built” running back, with an excellent combination of both size and speed. The Alabama defense will have to face MSU’s version of “Eddie Lacy” come Saturday night.

In good hands with Bumphis

Chad Bumphis, who once had aspirations of attending the University of Alabama, has firmly planted himself into the “star” role on the now, highly-potent, Bulldog offense.

Bumphis is the “receiver of choice” for quarterback Tyler Russell, and his 2012 statistics showcase his worth to the State offense. With 29 pass receptions for 479 yards and six touchdowns, the Alabama secondary will need to know where Bumphis is, at all times, in order to avoid potentially game-changing plays.

As for other threats in the passing game…

Chris Smith 26 receptions 293 yards 2 TDs
Arceto Clark 15 receptions 216 yards
Marcus Green 14 receptions 166 yards 5 TDs
Brandon Heavens 6 receptions 114 yards

The final verdict

Mississippi State is a very good football team, and they are without question the best overall team Alabama has faced thus far in the 2012 season, however, the beautiful bubble is about to burst.

The Crimson Tide will enter Saturday’s contest with MSU as a 20-plus point favorite. The simplicity of a single betting line is a microcosm that
proves…the nation is not falling for the Bulldogs. Why? The reasons are many, but one of which is MSU’s strength of schedule, a schedule that shows that even the Mississippi State of old, would essentially have no choice but to be undefeated at this stage.

For the pundits who want to “talk down” Alabama due to the Tide’s lack of superior opponents, the street goes both ways. In fact, MSU has been driving in a much larger lane.

-Jackson State
-Auburn
-Troy
-South Alabama
-Kentucky
-Tennessee
-Middle Tennessee

The Bulldogs have talent on both sides of the ball, and an excellent head coach in Dan Mullen, but Alabama, for yet another season, is simply in another league. Being “good” and “talented” is no longer enough to beat Alabama.

 Quick observation from Tide legend Joe Namath

To use a NASCAR reference, there is a huge difference between catching the leader, and actually making the pass. The Bulldogs have the speed, but at the end of the night…the Crimson Tide will be in victory lane.

Alabama 30
Mississippi State 13