LSU vs. Alabama Football 2009
Fighting Tigers Try for 5th Straight Victory in Tuscaloosa
Nov 1, 2009
Alabama ended a five-game losing streak to LSU last season, defeating the Tigers 27-21 in overtime at Baton Rouge, La. But the Crimson Tide hasn't won on its home field against its Southeastern Conference rival since 1999.
The Tigers have won five of their last six, and seven of their last nine meetings with Alabama. Since losing to the Crimson TIde 23-17 at Tuscaloosa in 1999, LSU has gone 4-0 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
But the Tide (8-0 overall, 5-0 SEC) appears well-positioned to end that streak. Alabama, ranked No. 3 in the Bowl Championship Series standings, features a Heisman Trophy candidate in running back Mark Ingram and one of the nation's top defenses.
Alabama will also enter the game with an extra week of preparation time. The Tide hasn't played since its 12-10 victory over Tennessee on Oct. 24. Yet during its bye week, Alabama dropped from No. 2 to No. 3 in both the BCS standings and the AP rankings, switching places with Texas.
No. 11 LSU (7-1, 4-1) lacks the star power of Alabama, but the Tigers also have a highly touted defense. Coach Les Miles' team is coming off impressive back-to-back victories — 31-10 over Auburn, and 42-0 over Tulane last week.
The Tigers, whose only loss was a 13-3 decision to No. 1 Florida, can take command of the SEC West race by defeating the Crimson Tide.
Saturday's game, which will mark the 73rd meeting between the teams, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST and will be telecast by CBS. Alabama leads the series 44-23-5.
Tide Is Fourth Nationally in Total Defense.
Alabama ranks fourth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense, giving up only 240.88 points per game. The Tide is fifth in scoring defense at 11.38 points per game, and is yielding just 6.33 over its past three contests.
Defensive tackle Terrence Cody has been drawing much of the spotlight recently. The 6-foot-5, 360-pound senior blocked two field goals to save the Tide from defeat vs. Tennessee.
Cody, who draws constant double teams, anchors a defense that also features linebacker Rolando McClain, safety Mark Barron and cornerback Javier Arenas.
McClain leads the team with 57 tackles, and also has seven tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. Barron paces the Tide with four interceptions and is second with 48 tackles, and Arenas has 45 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four of is team's 23 sacks. He's also a lethal kick returner.
Other leaders include linebacker Eryk Anders (40 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 4 sacks), lineman Marcell Dareus (4.5 sacks), safety Justin Woodall (2 interceptions) and DB Marquis Johnson (10 pass breakups).
Alabama's Ingram Already Over 1,000 Yards
Ingram is the FBS' fifth-leading rusher with an average of 125.5 yards per game. The sophomore has run for 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns, gaining 6.56 yards per carry. And he's the Tide's third-leading receiver with 19 catches for 186 yards and three TDs.
The Alabama offense has not quite been explosive, but it's been efficient, averaging 31.75 points and 410 yards per game. At the controls is Greg McElroy, who's completed 59.9 percent of is passes for 1,445 yards and nine TDs. The junior has been intercepted three times.
Julio Jones (20 catches, 229 yards), tight end Colin Peek (19 catches, 213 yards) and Marquis Maze (15 receptions, 280 yards, 2 TDs) have been the top receiving threats. Freshman Trent Richardson (377 yards, 4 TDs) is a strong backup for Ingram.
Kicker Leigh Tiffin is 20-for-23 on field goal attempts, and he went 4-for-4 to lift the Tide past Tennessee.
Versatile Jones Is Key Performer for LSU
The Tigers pitched their first shutout of the season last Saturday — one week after limiting Auburn's fast-paced offense to 10 points. Even No. 1 Florida managed only a single touchdown against LSU. Overall, LSU is surrendering just 12.1 points and 293 yards per game, ranking seventh and 15th, respectively, in the FBS.
One of the top playmakers is junior Chad Jones, who holds the rare distinction of having played for national championship teams in two sports. As a freshman, he helped the Tigers win the BCS national title in 2007; and was also a relief pitcher and outfielder for an LSU baseball team that won the 2009 College World Series.
This fall, Jones has been a standout from his free safety spot, making 46 tackles. He's also run back a punt 93 yards for a touchdown, and returned his two interceptions 38 and 24 yards.
Linebacking Trio Boosts LSU
LSU is led in tackles by its three linebackers. Middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard has recorded 70, including 7.5 for losses. Perrry Riley is second with 55, and Harry Coleman has 52, including two sacks and three forced fumbles.
Defensive tackle Drake Nevis doesn't start, but he leads LSU linemen with 30 tackles, including six for losses, and two sacks. Another reserve — linebacker Jacob Cutrera — is fifth on the squad with 34 tackles.
Cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Chris Hawkins have two interceptions apiece, and defensive end Rahim Alem leads LSU with three sacks. The Tigers, like Alabama, have 23 sacks in 2009.
Tigers Offense Makes Top 100
LSU's offense hasn't exactly been a well-oiled machine, averaging 325.1 yards per game to rank 100th of 120 FBS teams. LSU is 67th in scoring offense, at 26.4 points.
But there are some effective weapons. One is wide receiver Brandon LaFell, who's hauled in eight TD passes. The senior is second on the team with 34 catches for 478 yards. The leader is Terrance Tolliver, who's made 38 receptions for 501 yards and three TDs.
QB Jordan Jefferson has had some nice moments, too. The athletic sophomore has completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,421 yards. He's thrown 11 TD passes with four interceptions. Fleet-footed freshman Russell Shepard takes some snaps as well, seeing action in wildcat formations. He's run for 225 yards and two TDs.
But the rushing leader is Charles Scott, who's gained 459 yards and scored four touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
