The LSU Tigers have one of the toughest matchups of the year waiting for them on Saturday afternoon, as the Alabama Crimson Tide comes to town. The Tigers feel like they can be real contenders this year, and a win in this game will have them right back in the conversation.

The Tide were (surprisingly) given the fifth ranking in the country in the initial College Football Playoff poll. Beating them would give LSU a signature win and prove that they can compete with good teams. Here are some keys to victory for the Tigers to follow as they try to pick up their third straight win:

The ceiling of this LSU offense pretty much entirely rides on what Leavitt does at quarterback. They have seen a little bit of everything from him this year. At times, he looks like a Joe Burrow/Jayden Daniels-type weapon. Other times, he is trying to do too much, turns the ball over and stalls all of the offense's momentum.

Leavitt's best version is a player who can sit in the pocket and decisively deliver the ball all over the field, but also can create with his legs once a play breaks down. There has to be a balance, but he's only been able to strike that balance a couple of times. He has gone two games without an official turnover, which is a streak the Tigers need to see continue.  

One of the most frustrating parts of the losses to the Ole Miss Rebels and Kentucky Wildcats was the breakdown of Blake Bakers' zone defense. Trinidad Chambliss and Kenny Minchey were both able to pick the defense apart, making it hard to pick up crucial stops.

It was extra frustrating because that's the only real hole this defense has had. They have the talent to be one of the best units in the country. Rushing attacks never really get going against them, and they have an elite pass rush. Soft coverage has been one of their biggest Achilles' heels. Now facing another talented passer in Keelon Russell, that's the only real threat Alabama poses to this unit.

The other major Achilles' heel for LSU this year has been the offensive line. Leavitt and Dilin Jones have been great with their legs, able to turn nothing into something. The line hasn't gotten much consistent push, and it forces the rushing attack to be inefficient at times.

One thing that would help Leavitt avoid making those mistakes against a defense that can sell out to disrupt him, is force them to focus on the ground game early. Feed the ball to Jones early, and tire out the Tide's front.