Can he handle the pressure of a big game like this? And, if needed, do you think he's capable of taking over and winning the game in the 4th quarter?
I think he's has improved tremendously as the season goes along. I can't really answer your question about handling pressure in a big game or taking over the game because he hasn't had to do it yet. I will say he looked great on the opening drive of the second half against Tenn as he drove Bama down the field with his arm but then again Tenn's defense is no LSU. I have a feeling he'll be fine though.
I really believe this game comes down to Turnovers and Tackling.
So far this year, LSU has thrived on creating turnovers at opportune times.
Watching every game LSU has played and watching a few bama games, I think bama has a slight edge on defense. Both are nasty, I just think bama is slightly better mainly because bama's LB's are way better than LSU's.
Offensively, I give a slight edge to LSU. I just think their a little more versatile. I've been saying it, but I think Jefferson plays a big part in this game.
I think LSU has a special teams advantage, but Maze scares me. He's good.
If LSU tackles well, which is a must, and wins the turnover battle I think they win. Both teams like to simply grind down teams and simply make them lose their will to win late in the game. I expect a close game that come the 4th Q, one team will start to exert their will on the other.
I see a late game turnover or big play deciding this one.
I believe LSU wins this game & here's why: (no stats to support)
From the Alabama games I have watched, they seem prone to a slow start, conversely LSU seems able to score consistently throughout the game. I look for LSU to get off to a great start, and sustain a back & forth in the 2nd half. It will be that advantage that carries them to victory.
Usually, for whatever reason, in a hyped game such as this, it turns out to be a huge disappointment resulting in a blow out. Ive seen it happen a lot. Two teams playing each other that people call the biggest game in all of humanity and it turns into a stinker due to one team coming out and routing the other.
This is exactly how I feel. I don't see it being a close game at all in either case. The difference is that I believe LSU can stop their one player (Richardson) and force McCarron to try to beat them. McCarron has had the best help in the nation in Richardson and the question will be what will he do when he has to stand on his own. This is a game where he's guaranteed to be hit and hit often.
Nerves get the best of most young QBs. Lee and JJ have both been through it. McCarron hasn't. I just don't see him being able to step up to that challenge on this stage. Not yet at least. It's asking a lot of him and I see him being forced into mistakes.
.Nerves get the best of most young QBs. Lee and JJ have both been through it. McCarron hasn't. I just don't see him being able to step up to that challenge on this stage. Not yet at least. It's asking a lot of him and I see him being forced into mistakes.
If the Tigers can force Bama into third and longs--no small task due to Richardson--then we will have the advantage. McCarron hasn't faced anything like the heat the Chief and company are going to put on him. Alabama actually likes to throw a lot on first downs--a lot more than people think given their run game. The Tigers D is going to have to give him some confusing looks on those plays. If we can force him to throw an early pick, it could be a long day for him. Geaux Tigers!
If there is gonna be a blowout, its gonna be LSU blowing Bama out. I cannot possibly see Bama blowing out LSU. Unless LSU just comes out flat and turns the ball over 4-5 times.
I can however, see LSUs passing game with Randle and Beckam putting up some huge statistics on Bama resulting in a blowout. Especially if Lee plays the kind of game that im expecting.
Thanks JG!! I agree.. Bama hasn't been tested yet. And if Penn St. had ANY capable person at QB, they would've beat Bama
LSU 28
Bama 14
I watched the replay of that game the other night. PSU QBs were bad, and thats being nice. They finished 12-39, 144yds, 1 INT. The PSU defense didn't play poorly, they got worn down because of lack of O.
I could be wrong, but LSU is just a tad better than PSU.......at every position on the field!!!
Nice video, well made. This is going to be a great game, but I do think Alabama's defense is a bit over rated. Do you think they would still be #1 in the nation if they had played high powered offenses like Oregon and WVU?
I really believe this game comes down to Turnovers and Tackling.
So far this year, LSU has thrived on creating turnovers at opportune times.
Watching every game LSU has played and watching a few bama games, I think bama has a slight edge on defense. Both are nasty, I just think bama is slightly better mainly because bama's LB's are way better than LSU's.
Offensively, I give a slight edge to LSU. I just think their a little more versatile. I've been saying it, but I think Jefferson plays a big part in this game.
I think LSU has a special teams advantage, but Maze scares me. He's good.
If LSU tackles well, which is a must, and wins the turnover battle I think they win. Both teams like to simply grind down teams and simply make them lose their will to win late in the game. I expect a close game that come the 4th Q, one team will start to exert their will on the other.
I see a late game turnover or big play deciding this one.
This is the game all season long that has been scaring me, and JJ is the reason. I hope this is not one of those games where JJ gets more than 2-3 series. I just don't get it. When JJ comes in, teams stack the box, and what does LSU do when JJ is in......run the ball. It just doesn't make any sense. Our offense becomes so predictable when JJ is in, I just don't think that will work against the tide.
Football Gameplan's prediction of this game couldn't be more wrong. Alabama is not going to concede that LSU's defense can line up and stop Trent Richardson. Saban isn't going to go away from what they do best even if they struggle to move the ball in the first half. Spreading LSU out and winging the ball over the field sounds great except for the fact they have two converted safeties playing LB, go 4 deep at CB with players that will likely end up playing on Sunday and two very good safeties to back it all up. Plus when you spread out a defense you also spread out your blocking and open up more chances for QB pressure.
Miles has done an amazing job of protecting the LSU defense this season. The first sign LSU's defense looks to be getting tired he will call a timeout, challenge an extra point, put together a very long time consuming drive, etc. He wont admit it but if you watch the games this season the only time Miles looks the least bit concerned is when his defense is on the field longer than he likes. I really think that the past couple seasons has taught him this, in particular, the loss to Auburn last season.
In reverse, Miles also knows his offense can wear down defenses. I don't look for LSU to be much different today than they have been, particularly on 1st and 2nd down. He is going to make Alabama stop the run. We will take our shots like every week but he is going to pound that defense with two power backs and a huge offensive line in an attempt to wear down the bama defense and break their confidence. I do think LSU's offense will look completely different in any sort of 2 minute drill and we will see some plays that haven't been used this season but for the most part it will be a typical Miles' conservative offense that tries to beat teams down physically and not make mistakes to protect the defense.
Saban knows the same thing Miles does. LSU is deep, big, fast and talented but they have not been tested all season with a good ground game against a team that could keep the game close enough to pound them for 4 quarters. Alabama isn't going to run every down but they are going to play a conservative game. They will run the ball a lot. They will run some screen plays and some play action roll outs to the TE. They will also run some misdirection and take a few shots with Maze. They aren't going to come out in 3-4 WR sets and let the LSU defense dictate how they run their offense. They aren't going to place the game in the hands of AJ unless they can't establish any type of running game.
I can tell you this right now, neither team is going to be intimidated. Neither team is going to feel like they are outmanned. No player on the field is going to feel like he can't make the next game changing play. LSU is not going to be intimidated by the Bama fans. Saban is not going to be intimidated by Miles grazing on the other sideline. Both these teams will come out ready to kill, every player is going to be looking to make the kill shot. Outside of LSU trying to run a no huddle and calling the plays at the line and maybe a false start the crowd isn't going to have an impact.
This game is going to be the most intense boring game imaginable. There isn't going to be a whole lot of scoring, particularly in the first half. Special teams are solid for both teams and I don't see either side breaking a big return. I am concerned about the LSU kicking game, we have no idea what kind of kicker we have under pressure.
I just don't see either team scoring a whole lot. It may be the only good defensive game we see between quality teams this season in college or the NFL.
The one question I have is the officiating. This crew isn't scared to throw a game. Alabama isn't scared to have officials in their pocket. Hopefully the NCAA realizes this is the national championship game in the eyes of the fans and any foul play will really look bad for all of college football. As long as we get a game that is called even for both teams I think LSU wins this one in a close game.
If the officials come out and call drops catches, catches drops, interceptions incompletions and fumbles punts then all bets are off.
This is the game all season long that has been scaring me, and JJ is the reason. I hope this is not one of those games where JJ gets more than 2-3 series. I just don't get it. When JJ comes in, teams stack the box, and what does LSU do when JJ is in......run the ball. It just doesn't make any sense. Our offense becomes so predictable when JJ is in, I just don't think that will work against the tide.
What you have seen so far this season from the LSU offense has been what LSU has wanted you to see. They have won every game by double digits, they have not had a team challenge them in the 4th quarter and by default they haven't been forced to pull plays out the bag that they didn't want to. This is one of the really big differences between NFL and college. Offenses in college morph as the season goes on. Each season they build on the playbook as the season progresses. LSU has built on the playbook like every other team, they just haven't had to use it. They have plays that will catch Bama completely off guard. Unfortunately for LSU, Bama will have the same thing going for them.
These coaches have computer software that will tell them what a team does by down, formation, player, timing, etc. They also use that same software on themselves.
Miles knows if they line up in the pistol formation with JJ at QB 11 times this season and all 11 times it was a run that Saban will also know this. Saban also knows that Miles knows this and will use any type of overaggressive reaction by Saban to counter-act this tendancy that Miles will have the opportunitty to break tendancy for a big play. Both teams have also created tendancies in an attempt to set the other team up. We've known for over a month what this game was going to be, so have the coaches.
The benefit of running two QB's is it basically forces the defense to learn two gameplans. Alabama has to be ready for the option, the read option, the wildcat, QB draws, a pocket passer and a downhill running game. The reason more teams don't use a 2 QB system is because it is difficult to find a team that has two QB's mature enough to handle it, a team mature enough to realize neither player is the "starter" and it isn't a competition so there isn't a divide in the locker room. Both players bring something to the table and it is a benefit to have them. If I had to pick one to run my team I wouldn't hesitate to pick Lee but that isn't even the issue with this team.
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