LSU football vs Alabama preview: TV schedule, key matchups, betting odds

LSU football meets Alabama for the 90th time in series history on Saturday. For much of the 21st century, LSU vs. Alabama has been one of the top games on the college football schedule. This matchup usually features two ranked teams and carries SEC title implications.

That’s not the case in 2025, though. Alabama is in its usual spot, ranked No. 4 and contending for a national title. But LSU enters unranked with the playoff out of reach. The Tigers are led by interim head coach Frank Wilson after LSU cut ties with Brian Kelly following the Texas A&M loss.

Wilson was LSU’s running backs coach before taking over the interim job, but he’s a Louisiana native and LSU veteran. Don’t expect the Tigers to come out flat.

Alabama has had LSU’s number over the years, leading the series 57-27-5. LSU last beat Alabama in 2022. The Tigers’ last win in Bryant-Denny Stadium came in 2019 and the Tide has won its last five of six at home vs. LSU.

LSU doesn’t want to be reminded of what happened last year — Alabama walked into Death Valley and beat LSU 41-13. Tiger fans are hoping LSU can be the road warrior this time.

Here’s everything you need to know for LSU vs. Alabama, including schedule, key matchups, and prediction.

What channel is LSU vs. Alabama on Saturday?

Livestream: Fubo (free trial) or ESPN+

LSU vs Alabama will broadcast nationally on ABC in Week 11 of the 2025 college football season. Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy will call the game from the booth at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with Molly McGrath reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers

LSU vs. Alabama schedule and game time

Start time: 6:30 p.m. CT

The LSU vs Alabama game starts at 6:30 p.m. CT from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.

LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson makes his debut

Frank Wilson has been a head coach before, going 26-40 over seven years at UTSA and McNeese. Now, Wilson steps onto a bigger stage, representing the flagship university of his home state. It means a lot to the New Orleans native.

“I chose to come back here because it’s a very, very unique place, and there’s no place like LSU. I’ve worked at universities in this conference, from this country. And there’s something about the people here,” Wilson said.

Wilson played college football at Nicholls State and rose to prominence in Louisiana while coaching for several powerhouse high schools.

“It’s the people in this community. It’s the people in this state that gravitate, that pull you in. And it’s why we say forever LSU, because it’s not just a job for me,” Wilson said.

LSU has a new playcaller

With Joe Sloan out, Alex Atkins takes over playcalling duties for the LSU offense. Atkins joined LSU’s staff in January as the Tigers’ run game coordinator and tight ends coach. His most recent stop was Florida State, where he was offensive coordinator, but not the primary playcaller.

Prior to the Florida State gig, Atkins was the OC at Charlotte. Under Atkins, the Rams had one of the most efficient offenses in their conference.

Atkins can only change so much in two weeks, and LSU’s personnel is the same, but it will be intriguing to see how different LSU’s offense looks.

LSU vs. Alabama: Key matchups

LSU can take advantage of Bama’s struggling run game

If LSU has a path to victory, it involves stopping the run and making Alabama one-dimensional. Alabama’s offense ranks 79th in EPA/rush and 121st in rushing success rate. The Crimson Tide struggled to get push vs. defenses like Tennessee and Missouri.

LSU has the talent to make things difficult for Alabama in the run game. LSU’s defensive tackle unit is one of the strongest units on the team, and Jack Pyburn and Patrick Payton are strong run defenders at defensive end. There are questions about LSU’s linebackers, with Whit Weeks listed as doubtful, but a strong performance from the defensive line can make it easier on LSU’s second level.

If LSU can stop the run on early downs and put Alabama in obvious passing situations, LSU DC Blake Baker will have some tricks up his sleeve.

Can LSU contain Alabama’s passing attack?

If the Tigers manage to stop the run, the next job is containing Alabama’s explosive passing attack. LSU doesn’t need to shut Bama down to have a chance, but the Tigers can’t give up big play after big play. Alabama wide receivers Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard are both capable of scoring from any spot on the field. LSU’s secondary, led by star corner Mansoor Delane, might be the toughest group Bama has faced this year.

Alabama’s wideouts vs. LSU’s defensive backs should be box office. NFL scouts will be intrigued to watch Delane take on Williams.

The good news for LSU is that Alabama QB Ty Simpson doesn’t pose the same threat with his legs that Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed did. If LSU creates interior pressure and doesn’t give Simpson space to make a throw, LSU has the speed on the edge to prevent Simpson from getting outside. LSU needs a big game from Bernard Gooden — one of the best interior pass rushers in the conference.

LSU should feel good about its corners in man on the outside, but keep an eye on how Alabama attacks LSU safeties over the middle. TaMarcus Cooley has been an all-around impact player, but he’s been liable to surrender the big play at times.

How does LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier handle pressure?

At this point, I’m not going to ask if LSU’s offensive line can protect Nussmeier. We know the answer. This group will struggle to block good defensive fronts like Alabama. The Crimson Tide will pressure Nussmeier — the leverage will be in how Nussmeier handles it.

When Nussmeier is on, he’s getting the ball out fast and putting receivers in position to make plays. But when the LSU offense starts to break down, Nussmeier can get careless with the football, throw an interception and take a couple of sacks. If LSU gets the average version of Nussmeier, the Tigers don’t have a chance.

But if LSU gets peak Nussmeier, this will be a close game.

Alabama’s secondary is good, ranking No. 23 nationally in EPA/pass allowed. The Crimson Tide has the matchup advantage vs. an LSU wide receiver room that’s inconsistent and yet to find a true go-to option.

However, LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green has been one of the SEC’s most productive players in his last few games. The secret is out on Green, and he’ll draw plenty of attention from the Alabama defenders. Will that leave another LSU pass catcher in a position to win a one-on-one matchup elsewhere?

LSU wants to establish the run

Oct 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Louisiana State Tigers running back Harlem Berry (22) runs with the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Frank Wilson was clear — LSU will continue to make establishing the run a priority. LSU’s offensive line has struggled for much of 2025, and the Tigers have failed to generate push up front, but LSU showed progress in the month of October.

LSU shifted its approach, going from a wide zone heavy run game to a more downhill attack. LSU’s offensive line looks more comfortable, and true freshman running back Harlem Berry has emerged as LSU’s best back. LSU still has a long way to go, but signs of life are there.

Alabama has been vulnerable to the run at points this year, ranking 71st in EPA/rush allowed. Atkins’ FSU offenses were heavy on counter, but LSU probably isn’t suddenly going to be a gap run team after relying so much on zone.

LSU ranks 130th in rushing success rate. The Tigers haven’t been able to consistently run the ball since 2023. LSU’s inability to run the ball played a role in the exits of Kelly and Sloan. With a better rushing attack, LSU isn’t sitting at 5-3. Perhaps the Tigers are still in playoff contention.

If LSU can take advantage of an inconsistent Tide run defense, setting up third and manageable, the Tigers have the pieces to make this a game.

LSU vs. Alabama prediction

Alabama 27, LSU 20: I think LSU puts up a fight and covers the spread, but Ty Simpson is too good a QB to let Alabama lose at home. Simpson finds Ryan Williams for a late score to put Bama in front, and LSU leaves Tuscaloosa 5-4.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU vs Alabama preview: TV schedule, key matchups, betting odds

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