THE CALL

By Tommy Deas

Offense
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama averages nearly 500 yards per game in total offense, best in the SEC. The Crimson Tide has playmakers like Jalen Hurts and Calvin Ridley. While LSU has a big-time back in Derrius Guice. UA simply has more weapons.

Defense
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama leads the SEC in scoring, rushing and total defense, while ranking fourth against the pass. Levi Wallace has three of Alabama’s 11 interceptions. The Tigers can be salty, ranking fifth in the league in total and scoring defense.

Special teams
Advantage: LSU
While Alabama has still been experiencing problems just fielding punts cleanly, LSU has one of the league’s top returners in DJ Chark. Neither team has been hugely impressing in punting or placekicking.

Coaching
Advantage: Alabama
Maybe Ed Orgeron is beginning to figure things out at LSU after a rocky start that included a head-scratching upset defeat at the hands of Troy. Alabama doesn’t lose often under Nick Saban, and hasn’t lost to an unranked team since 2007.

Intangibles
Advantage: LSU
LSU has lost six in a row to Alabama, but has consistently been one of the toughest games on the UA schedule in recent years. Ending that losing skid to the Crimson Tide is the highest priority for LSU coach Ed Orgeron.

Prediction
Alabama 27, LSU 10
Make no mistake: LSU has a lot of NFL talent on its roster and is one of the few schools with enough manpower to take it to the Crimson Tide. Big plays will be the difference in this one, and Alabama is well-stocked with playmakers.

STAFF PICKS

Joey Chandler
Alabama 36, LSU 9
In this SEC West showdown, a well rested Alabama team snaps LSU’s three-game win streak. Bama’s defense gets it done and the offense makes big plays when it matters the most. Basically, it’s back to business as usual for the Crimson Tide.

Drew Hill
Alabama 45, LSU 21
The game last year at Tiger Stadium left much to be desired on offense. So, this year both teams will make up for the lack of points. Jalen Hurts is extremely rested after the bye week and short stint against the Volunteers, and that bodes well for Alabama.

Cecil Hurt
Alabama 29, LSU 14
This series has produced its share of classic games — and great rematches. This year will be “one time only” (barring a bizarre series of events) and the Tigers would need a lot of fortunate bounces to pull the upset for Ed Orgeron.

Ben Jones
Alabama 31, LSU 9
The Tigers’ defense has some players that can pose some problems for Alabama’s offense, at least relative to the recent competition. But Derrius Guice should struggle just as Leonard Fournette struggled. LSU can’t put enough points on the board to win this one.

Michael Southern
Alabama 31, LSU 13
Ed Orgeron will have the Tigers emotionally wound up, but once the energy fades look for the Crimson Tide to begin pulling away in the second half.

Edwin Stanton
Alabama 28, LSU 10
If this game was in Baton Rouge, it would be more of a dogfight (the way it has always been since Nick Saban’s been coach). LSU will make it interesting for a half, but the Crimson Tide turns it up a notch in the fourth quarter to put this one away.

Aaron Suttles
Alabama 31, LSU 10
If Alabama gets out to an early lead in the first quarter, this could get out of hand. It’ll be close for a while before UA’s depth takes over.

Terrin Waack
Alabama 28, LSU 10
This matchup is always intense. It won’t come down to the last quarter like last year, but it’s still going to be closer than any other game Alabama has played this season. Also, being dubbed No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings will undoubtedly motivate the Crimson Tide.

Molly Walsh
Alabama 24, LSU 7
LSU may be hungry to finally beat Alabama but Jalen Hurts has found a rhythm with quick and dynamic players like Damien Harris and Calvin Ridley.