LSU football turns its attention back to the football field this week, gearing up for Game 9 at Alabama.
It was a chaotic two weeks in the LSU athletic department. After LSU lost to Texas A&M, head coach Brian Kelly was fired. The next day, LSU cut ties with OC Joe Sloan. A few days later, AD Scott Woodward was out too. Meanwhile, LSU was looking for its next university president. LSU tabbed Wade Rousse for the role on Tuesday.
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But for at least a few hours, Tiger fans will get to watch their team play football without being caught up in all the noise around the program.
A road trip to Alabama is no easy task for LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson. The Crimson Tide are rolling at 7-1 and haven’t lost since tripping up at Florida State in Week 1. With QB Ty Simpson leading the way, Alabama has national title hopes.
LSU is a double-digit underdog, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. There’s a path for LSU to make this game interesting.
Here’s how LSU can upset Alabama.
1. Get to Ty Simpson with interior pressure
Marcel Reed and Diego Pavia both hurt LSU’s defense on scrambles. LSU is facing a different style of QB in Ty Simpson this week. Simpson ranks 8th among SEC QBs with 160 scramble yards on the year — Reed and Pavia sit top three. Simpson is athletic, but he won’t take over the game with his legs.
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That’s a relief to an LSU defense that’s struggled to bottle up dual-threat QBs.
If LSU can penetrate the pocket with interior pressure, Simpson doesn’t have the breakaway speed to escape. LSU’s edge rushers should be able to finish the job. But if LSU isn’t getting push up the middle, Simpson will have space to step up and make throws, even if LSU gets pressure off the edge.
Alabama’s interior offensive line is decent, but it’s not a dominant group. LSU’s athletic group of defensive tackles will have a chance to impact the game.
2. Mansoor Delane shuts down Ryan Williams or Germie Bernard
Alabama has one of the best WR combos in the SEC with Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. Williams ranks fourth in the SEC with 2.66 yards per route run. Bernard ranks third among SEC wideouts with six touchdowns. Both are dangerous and have the speed to take the top off a defense.
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Chances are, one of them will have a big day. That’s how it usually goes. But LSU can axe one with Mansoor Delane. If Delane can win in man coverage all night, Blake Baker has options for deploying the rest of the defense. Delane doesn’t need much help, and that lets LSU safeties support the Tigers’ younger corners on the other side of the field.
LSU’s defense is at its best when Delane plays like an All-American. The Tigers need that on Saturday night.
3. Find a way to run the ball
This one is obvious. LSU needs to get something out of its run game, and despite the narrative, the Tigers were better on the ground in October. LSU’s rushing success rate vs. Alabama was in the 80th percentile. LSU’s PPA/run vs. Vanderbilt and Texas A&M were both above average. LSU has been more explosive too, finding a way to break a few 30+ yard runs.
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Bama’s run defense isn’t invincible — far from it.
According to CFBGraphs, Bama ranks 118th in yards before carry allowed. Missouri and Tennessee found success running the ball vs. the Tide, and LSU needs to try and do the same.
Alabama has size on the interior with Tim Keenan and Landon Simmons, and that will challenge LSU, but Bama plays an aggressive style of defense that can result in blown assignments and missed tackles.
4. LSU needs a pass catcher to emerge
LSU needs a wide receiver to step up.
The Tigers’ wideouts were expected to be among the best in the SEC, but the room has fallen short of expectations. Whether it’s a healthy Aaron Anderson or Barion Brown. Maybe it’s Chris Hilton or Nic Anderson. Perhaps Kyle Parker continues his emergence.
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LSU needs someone other than Trey’Dez Green to be a difference maker in the passing game.
It won’t be easy. Alabama’s secondary has been playing lights out in recent weeks, and cornerback Zabien Brown is putting together an All-SEC campaign. But opposite of Brown, Bama DBs surrender the occasional big play.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: How LSU football can upset Alabama in Week 11
