Anybody wanna have a REAL conversation about the Ala passing game vs. the LSU secondary?

Alabama's WR speed is a concern for LSU's DBs. LSU's are certainly athletic and capable, but Alabama has guys that have the ability to get open.

Pretty good matchup.

Most interesting part of the game to me. If he and his receivers are on time it may very well be a long day for LSU. That being said , the Pass Rush and Blitz Packages will be Paramount to helping the Man Coverage.

Both will be tested. There isn't a better group of DBs and safeties in the country than LSUs.

Pressure on Tua will be key, but I'm not sure we're going to win the Line of Scrimmage battle without blitzes.

This is by far the most explosive WR group we've seen to date. Couple that with a very good TE, and our secondary will have their hands full I believe.

Battle is a liability and whatever confidence level we have in our defense, it honestly drops dramatically without D. White on the field. Losing D. White is like losing Minkah Fitz, or Reuben Foster.

This is where I think Irv Smith's versatility is going to be huge. He played both in his regular TE spot and in Devonta Smith's receiver spot against Tennessee. Having him be able to move around like that means you can show a certain initial look at the line to manipulate the defensive personnel package (i.e. base set instead of nickel or vice versa), and then change the formation at the line to exploit that mismatch either in the pass or run game.

The issue with your assertion is that LSU has not demonstrated consistency in putting any pressure on the QB. For that reason, I think Tua will be patient and wait for a receiver to come open.

Now, if Aranda dials up a package where we can pressure Tua, we might have a game. But from what I’ve seen, your line and RB’s have been able to protect Tua. With no pressure, he’s good enough to pick apart even an NFL defensive backfield.

Hope Aranda comes up with some magic.

Honestly I know the SEC reffing has been beaten to death but a ton depends on how they’re going to call things in the secondary.

If they allow some physical play (which they should) I like LSU’s D

If it becomes ticky tack calls it can be a long night

This is my pretty uninformed observation.

The LSU DBs are incredible but will get beat sometimes in man coverage. If Tua is as good as advertised and exploits all of those, we are done.

I can’t say I have watched Tua closely, but a lot of the highlights I have seen have him throwing to receivers that don’t have a defender within fifteen yards. We will see.

Last point, Delpit and Fulton have a come back move that fools a lot of QBs. The guy looks wide open when the QB commits, then these guys are on it like a Gump on his sister. (Sorry; I’m never entirely rational when talking football).

I’m not an xs and os guy. This is just what I see.

It will be interesting to see the LSU D game plan and how Aranda is going to scheme Tua.

I'd expect LSU to run a combo or Man/zone coverage (DBs on outside man/press and everyone else, ILBs, slot DBs, safety zone), possible get more exotic and man on one side of field, zone the other.

LSU DBs will have to press and jam the Bama WRs to get timing off. If Bama WRs get free releases and Tua has time they will pick LSU apart.

Limiting Bama's big plays will be huge. They run a bunch of Deep Double post that eats a single safety up. The 3 go routes with deep crossing route kills man and zone.

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I can’t say I have watched Tua closely, but a lot of the highlights I have seen have him throwing to receivers that don’t have a defender within fifteen yards.

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Yeah I disagree with this whole-heartedly. While there HAS been plenty of highlights where the WRs separated themselves, his highlight videos are riddled with some ridiculously accurate throws.

Go watch the pass to Waddle against Tenn. Absolute pro-level dime against double coverage. Hit him in stride across the field, then Waddle turned up field and scored.