Stephen Lew
By Hunt Palmer
The first weekend in November carries some weight in Louisiana. Over the last 20 years, LSU and Alabama have maintained a rivalry atop college football.
It’s featured national champions, Heisman winners, first round picks, College Gameday broadcasts and plenty of drama. This week hasn’t felt like that.
LSU is coming off the most tumultuous week in the football program’s history, and Alabama is chasing a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Frank Wilson and the Tigers have preached physicality all week. Wilson said LSU is headed to Tuscaloosa “to pick a fight”. Does the 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge staff believe that will be enough?
Jacob Hester, Co-host, Off the Bench: I don’t care what the score is. Do I want LSU to win? Obviously. I just want to see mean, nasty, tough football for 60 minutes — vintage LSU style.
Matt Flynn, Co-host, Off the Bench: 69-0, LSU.
Taylor Sharp, Video Producer, Off the Bench: Will Frank Wilson give the Tigers that “interim bump”? Probably, he’s passionate, fiery, and exactly what this team needs. Will it be enough to beat Alabama? Probably not!. But this week I don’t really care about the score, I want the Tigers to play with heart, play with fire, show the fans that support you that you aren’t just going to roll over and quit! The fans need this, the entire state needs this! Have some pride, all week Frank Wilson has said they are “ready for a fight” go prove it! Geaux Tigers! 24-14, Alabama.
Alondra Villarreal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: Hopefully the boys play with some fire, and I know everyone talks about the “interim bump,” but I feel like it’s too far in the season to not know what the identity of this team is. Hope I’m wrong! 27-21, Alabama.
Charles Hanagriff, Co-host, Live at Lunch: I expect an inspired effort from LSU, but this would be a tough spot for the Tigers even at full strength. They’ll have a renewed effort to run the football, but the same offensive line (probably compromised) to run behind. Defensively, they face a red hot QB without their top linebacker. They’re on the road. Any slips in gameday operation with the staff changes will be damaging. Tigers might be game, but this is a big ask. 31-13, Alabama
Hunt Palmer, Host, The Hunt Palmer Show: This isn’t an awful matchup Alabama struggles to stop the run. Ty Simpson isn’t going to run for 100 yards like Marcel Reed. To win, LSU is going to have to force red zone field goals and win time of possession. I just think Alabama is better and is at home. 30-20, Alabama.
Matt Moscona, Host, After Further Review: I think, stylistically, this is a close game that looks a lot like the Clemson game. I just think Ty Simpson has been so good at making plays. Alabama has the better quarterback. They’re at home. I think it’s a close game where maybe Alabama scores late. 30-20, Alabama.
Matthew Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: I think LSU will come out juiced up under Frank Wilson. The offense will look different with a committed focus on the running game, and I believe it will yield returns. However, Alabama’s front is deep and playing really good football. They will eventually lean on the Tigers offensive line and take control of the game. 30-24, Alabama.
Paul O’Neill, Video Producer, After Further Review: This game is going to go one of two ways. Will it be rinse and repeat with the same concerns we’ve had all year, or will it be a fresh new look that sparks the Tigers offense? Frank Wilson has said LSU will commit to the running game, but the question will be will the Tigers actually have success running the ball? I have no doubt the team will be motivated under new leadership, but my concern will be the execution vs. the team on the other sideline. Ty Simpson is having a fantastic season that has him as a Heisman front runner. Can the Tigers defense get back to their dominating ways we saw early in the season? This team is playing for pride and should show up with a renewed energy, but Alabama is playing for something more and gets the job done in Tuscaloosa. 35-20, Alabama
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