(13) LSU Visits (1) Alabama In Prime Time Saturday Night

The Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers will meet in Tuscaloosa Saturday night under the lights at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The top-ranked Crimson Tide look to preserve their perfect record and their aspirations of three-peating, facing arguably their toughest team on the schedule. This will be an 8 pm ET kickoff with coverage coming by way of CBS.

Over the last several years there haven’t been two programs with more success in the SEC or in the country than Alabama and LSU. The two have combined for SEC titles, national championships, and even played in the first-ever BCS Championship game rematch.

But while Alabama is right in the mix for a shot at another national championship, LSU has fallen off just a bit this season. The Tigers have two losses so far. They dropped to Georgia back when the Bulldogs were healthy, and they lost a shocker to Ole Miss. But make no mistake, this LSU team is perfectly capable of going into Tuscaloosa and coming out with a win; they did it last time they went into Bryant-Denny.

The Crimson Tide are the assertive No.1 team in the BCS rankings, and get the opportunity to boost their standing with a big win over a ranked rival. But Alabama is fully aware of the threat that the Tigers present to an SEC West title, SEC championship, and a BCS Championship. While Alabama is in control of the division, a loss would drop them in a tie with archrival Auburn. The Iron Bowl is already looking like a fantastic matchup even if Alabama beats LSU.

The key to this one will be LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger. He is a different player between this year and last year. Mettenberger has improved drastically, and has the capability to make big plays for this LSU offense, which is something that has lacked in recent years.

Alabama’s defense ranks No.1 in scoring, allowing just 9.8 points per game. But the Crimson Tide will have to guard against some big-time playmakers from LSU.