NCAA Game of the Week: LSU Hosts Bama for Key SEC Matchup

The SEC is back in the spotlight for Roundtable’s NCAA Game of the Week as the LSU Tigers host the Alabama Crimson Tide.

We spoke with BamaRoundtable expert Evan Massey and LSU Roundtable publisher Dylan Sanders to get the latest ahead of the heavyweight bout.

Bama RTB: Alabama has an almost nonexistent margin for error the rest of the season when it comes to College Football Playoff hopes. Beating LSU would be a huge step toward that goal. A loss could very well eliminate the Tide from playoff contention.

LSU RTB: This is a massive prove-it game for the Tigers. They are in the top 15, but their best win is against a mediocre Clemson team. The two best teams they have faced, they lost to. Now this is a chance to prove that they can slow down a top quarterback and beat a playoff-quality team. A win in this game would certainly make their status as a contender feel real.

Bama RTB: As has been the case most weeks, which version of Keelon Russell will show up? Against LSU's defense,will he be the guy who has shown flashes of Heisman Trophy potential, or will he have another dud performance? Close behind that will be Alabama's secondary keeping Sam Leavitt limited.

LSU RTB: Blake Baker against Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell. A big reason that the Tigers lost to the Ole Miss Rebels and Kentucky Wildcats is that those two talented quarterbacks were able to find soft spots in Baker's zone coverage over and over again. LSU's defense is elite... until it isn't. If Baker can make Russell uncomfortable and inefficient, they'll feel good about their chances to win.

Bama RTB: For this week's game, Daniel Hill will be Alabama's key X-factor. In order to beat LSU, the Tide will need to be able to run the football. Hill has been unable to establish a major presence on the ground lately, but that must change this week.

LSU RTB: Linebacker Davhon Keys. With Whit Weeks not looking like he is going to be back for this game, the Tigers will continue to rely on Keys. He's a talented run defender and isn't a huge downgrade on a play-to-play basis, but Kentucky bullied him in coverage. That is one area where he has struggled this year, and it could bite them once again in this game. His performance could be the one to decide the matchup if Alabama finds similar success.

Bama RTB: At the end of the day, the running game has also been Alabama's biggest problem this season. Actually, it has been the biggest problem over the last two years. If the Crimson Tide can't run the football, Russell has a much tougher job and the offense can completely shut down.

LSU RTB: The offensive line. Dilin Jones and Sam Leavitt have been great with their legs this season, and it has sort of masked the fact that the offensive line isn't very good. LSU has allowed 46 tackles for loss, which ranks No. 92 in the country on a per-game basis.

Bama RTB: LSU 27, Alabama 21

LSU RTB: LSU 31, Alabama 27