LSU and Alabama are set for another SEC showdown Saturday in Tiger Stadium. Ahead of the highly anticipated matchup, the 104.5 ESPN crew weighs in with their predictions for the Tigers and Crimson Tide in this week’s station survey.
Jacob Hester, Co-Host, Off the Bench: It’s a one-score game between two good football teams. That’s the way LSU-Bama should be. 31-24, LSU
Matt Flynn, Co-Host, Off the Bench: Leavitt is playing too well. 37-17, LSU.
Charles Hanagriff, Co-Host, Live at Lunch: LSU 30-24…Leavitt outduels Russell.
Hunt Palmer. Host, Hunt Palmer Show: Alabama is probably a little bit better than they were in October. Getting starters back at center and wide out is big for them. However, LSU is playing really well. The quarterback and the crowd will be great for the Tigers in a tight game late. 27-24, LSU.
Matt Moscona. Host, After Further Review: In Alabama’s two toughest games, they scored 17 at home against Georgia and 10 on the road against Tennessee. That won’t be enough to outscore an LSU offense hitting its stride. 31-20, LSU.
Paul O’Neill, Video Producer, Off the Bench: For once, it feels like LSU has an upper hand at almost every position on the field. Sam Leavitt and the LSU offense are finally clicking on all cylinders. The defense remains elite and should hold their own defending Keelon Russell. Just don’t give up the big plays on defense and protect the ball on offense. This year, the Tigers are the better team, and Tiger Stadium will be rocking. 28-23, LSU.
Matthew Musso, Audio Producer, After Further Review: LSU 30, Alabama 21. Turnovers are important in this one. It’s what Alabama does best. They are going to force a turnover or two on Saturday. Just accept it. The key is to get a couple of your own to cancel it out. Keelon Russell has nine giveaways this season. Pressure him and force him into some bad decisions. That will eliminate The Crimson Tide’s clearest advantage. One other thing to note is that Kalen DeBoer is 4-0 off the bye in Tuscaloosa. The four wins have all come against either Georgia or LSU. So, they are winning big games off the open date. You are getting their best game on Saturday, but LSU has played their best ball at home. That trend continues.
Alondra Villareal, Audio Producer, Off the Bench: I don’t have the guts to pick against LSU because I think LSU WILL win. AJ McCarron says Keelon Russell is playing better than Sam Leavitt. He’s not. In fact, LSU’s entire team is playing better. 31-23, LSU.
Taylor Sharp, Video Producer, Off the Bench: I hate that I feel so good about this matchup. Alabama is certainly a talented team, but these squads come into this one headed in opposite directions. LSU is playing its best football while the Crimson Tide has struggled, losing two of the last three. I think the LSU offense will find success with Sam Leavitt playing another clean game, and the Blake Baker defense will be able to slow down Keelon Russell. I’ll take the Tigers over the Tide, 31-20.
Jordan Kitchens, Audio Producer, Hunt Palmer Show: I’m either too much of a homer or just flat-out delusional. I’m generally conservative with my LSU picks, but I really think LSU will make a statement against Bama. I’m expecting a dominant win in all three phases of the game. I like LSU 31, Bama 13.
