After eight weeks, it’s tough to find new ways to describe how dominating LSU and Alabama has been this season, but what the two did to Auburn and Tennessee, respectively, tonight was nasty, and at times, downright demoralizing.
LSU’s 45-10 thrashing of the defending BCS champs Auburn propelled the Tigers into a bye week as they prepare for that Nov. 5 game at Alabama that has becoming a tantalizing reality; the Tide handled their business against Tennessee by scoring 31 unanswered second-half points after 6-6 halftime tie.
Now that the top two SEC West contenders have cleared another hurdle, the prime time (hopefully) stage for which many have been waiting has been set.
The match up that everyone will be watching two weeks from now is which offense can do just a little bit more than the other. Both teams rank in the Top 10 in points allowed and rushing yards allowed, with Alabama being the top defense in the former category. Whomever can run the ball more effectively will have a huge advantage. LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee has more experience than Alabama’s A.J. McCarron, but this doesn’t feel like the type of game where the fate needs to rest on either QB’s shoulders.
In a game that’s built up to be larger than life, it’s easy to forget that football is often won and lost with fundamentals: win the field position battle, run the ball well, play great defense and special teams, and don’t turn the ball over. LSU has done as good a job as anybody this season doing the little things right.
The Tigers did it again today against Auburn; Alabama made the necessary adjustments too. Now we’re just two weeks away from the most highly-anticipated showdown of the season because of it.