re: "Experts" Prediction Compilation for Bama-LSU

ESPN Scouts' Edge

Alabama's staff is a stronger game-planning group, so it would stand to reason that it gains an advantage from an extra week of preparation. However, LSU's Les Miles and his coordinators (Chavis and offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa) have done an underrated job of preparing their team this season and LSU is a proven commodity in big games on the road. Also consider that since 1970 the road team in this rivalry is 27-13-1, and while the home team has won the last two meetings, at no point in the history of this matchup has the home team won three straight.

Both teams are loaded with talent, but we think LSU has an edge in three key areas: perimeter offense, perimeter defense, and quarterback. Randle is the only true vertical threat in this game and his presence should help open up room for the rest of the offense. The Crimson Tide's lack of a true game-breaker at wide receiver will allow Chavis to man-up with Claiborne and Mathieu on the outside and consistently load up the box with eight and nine defenders versus Richardson and their run game. If Lee continues to limit his mistakes and manage the game at a high level -- specifically, getting his protections set and getting out of negative plays with good pre-snap reads -- the Tigers are strong enough in all other areas to top Alabama in its own backyard.

Prediction: Tigers 20, Crimson Tide 17