Pressure Mac Jones
Lastly, LSU has to get pressure on Mac Jones. The Crimson Tide’s junior quarterback has been sacked just eight times this season.
For LSU’s defense to help keep the game close, winning the battle at the line of scrimmage and forcing Jones into uncomfortable situations is key.
Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini needs to dial up extra blitz packages, especially on third and short situations. Alabama is efficient on third down this season, but pressuring Jones could force interceptions or incompletions that give the Tigers offense the ball back.
This is the biggest game of the year for LSU.
Despite the 3-4 record, the Tigers defense has played well the last two games. Even with a few injuries, Pelini’s unit has continued to prove the doubters wrong. Now, LSU has a chance to prove everyone wrong if the defense can provide an all-out effort on Saturday against the top-ranked team.