No. 4 Alabama is in command of its personal future because it prepares to host LSU in a rivalry showdown on Saturday. The Crimson Tide (7-5, 5-0 SEC) face a manageable November slate and are on tempo to seem within the SEC Championship Sport and to obtain a first-round bye within the School Soccer Playoff.
However the Tigers (5-3, 2-3) would love nothing greater than to sow chaos inside Bryant-Denny Stadium as they start life with out Brian Kelly. The dismissal of LSU’s fourth-year coach eight video games into the season leaves the Tigers beneath the course of interim coach Frank Wilson as they enter one of many nation’s most hostile environments.
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The Crimson Tide have gained 84 straight house video games in opposition to unranked groups, which is the longest streak of any workforce in school soccer over the previous 30 years. LSU isn’t any bizarre unranked workforce, nonetheless. For all their flaws, the Tigers are nonetheless a proficient workforce that might be galvanized by the shock of Kelly’s firing and the set up of Wilson because the interim.
Alabama has reeled off seven straight wins since its stunning Week 1 loss at Florida State. The run has calmed the waters surrounding second-year coach Kalen DeBoer. However loopy issues occur when these groups meet, and the Crimson Tide will have to be prepared for an LSU workforce enjoying with nothing to lose.
Alabama vs. LSU: Must know
Unhealthy omen: That is simply the fourth time up to now 40 years {that a} workforce is going through a top-five opponent on the highway whereas enjoying its first sport beneath an interim coach. The earlier three every misplaced by 30+ factors. Most just lately, Texas Tech fell 52-21 at No. 4 Oklahoma in 2021 the week after firing Matt Wells. LSU interim coach Frank Wilson isn’t any stranger to be in cost, nonetheless. He was the pinnacle coach at UTSA from 2016-19 after which at McNeese for 2 years earlier than becoming a member of Brian Kelly’s workers as operating backs coach in 2022.
Ty Simpson’s massive yr: Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is simply the third SEC quarterback since 2000 to have 20 or extra landing passes with one interception or much less via eight video games. The redshirt junior was an unknown commodity coming into the season after serving as a backup for his first three seasons on campus. However his endurance has been rewarded in a major manner as he sits at third on the Heisman Trophy odds sheet (+390 at FanDuel) coming into Week 11 motion. Simpson hasn’t been intercepted since a Week 1 loss at Florida State and has made a behavior of delivering clutch throws beneath sport stress in the course of the Crimson Tide’s seven-game successful streak.
A welcome distraction: If LSU can put up a battle on the highway in opposition to Alabama, it could be a welcome distraction for a college neighborhood grappling with the general public fallout of Brian Kelly’s firing. Louisiana governor Jeff Landry prompt he would let Donald Trump make LSU’s teaching rent earlier than permitting athletic director Scott Woodward to search out Kelly’s substitute. Woodward was subsequently fired as a part of what quantities to a wholesale overhaul of college management. LSU additionally employed a brand new president this week, Wade Rousse, and he promptly elevated interim athletic director Verge Ausberry to the full-time place. Lastly, a soccer sport can present a brief diversion from the chaos.
The place to observe Alabama vs. LSU dwell
Date: Saturday, Nov. 8 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium — Tuscaloosa, Alabama
TV: ABC | Stay stream: Fubo (Attempt free of charge)
Alabama vs. LSU prediction, picks
LSU is in absolute institutional turmoil following the dismissal of coach Brian Kelly, which got here on the heels of an embarrassing house loss to Texas A&M. The Tigers don’t have any operating sport, shoddy go safety and a quarterback who seems to be combating confidence. What concerning the protection? A unit that gave up 10 factors or much less in its first 4 video games has seemed way more weak in opposition to high quality opposition. Alabama presents arguably the hardest check but. Search for the Crimson Tide to cruise at house. Decide: Alabama -10
Who will win and canopy in every Week 11 school soccer sport? Legendary Vegas skilled Bruce Marshall is on a 24-10 roll on school soccer picks. Go to SportsLine now to see all his school soccer picks.
