CBS Local Picks: Who Comes Out On Top? LSU vs. Alabama
Nationally ranked SEC rivals #1 LSU and #2 Alabama go head-to-head on your local CBS station at 8pm EST Saturday, November 5th. The anticipation of this college football matchup has sports fans all over the country counting down the days to the big game. We've gathered together some CBS Local radio and television personalities for their thoughts on the game, do you agree? Sound off in the comments.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marc Malusis (New York - Sports Host/WFAN)
Alabama beats LSU. In a close game between the two best teams in the country, I favor Saban and the Tide. Alabama has the best defense in the past 10 years in college football. They are allowing under 7 points per game. Saban will make the adjustments he needs to make as game goes along. Trent Richardson will churn out some tough yards on the ground. LSU is battle tested and this game will come down to a late score for Alabama. Alabama is home. Take the Tide by a touchdown.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Hoge (Chicago, IL - Sports Writer/CBSChicago.com)
Alabama over LSU. No. 1 vs No. 2 with two weeks to prepare? It doesn't get any better than this. It also doesn't get any more even than this. I think LSU is slightly better overall, but Alabama has the best defense in the country and is playing at home. Can the Mad Hatter pull off another crazy win in a tight game? Not in this environment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Thompson (Minneapolis, MN - Sports Host/WCCO)
Alabama 23, LSU 13. #2 Alabama has home field advantage and to top it off leads #1 LSU in just about every offensive and defensive category. The Crimson Tide are also penalized about 1/2 as much as the Tigers, including total penalties and penalty yards per game. One advantage for LSU, they have only turned the ball over 3 times to lead the nation. If Alabama can avoid losing the turnover battle, they win the game.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taylor Zarzour (Charlotte, NC - Sports Host/WFNZ)
Alabama 20, LSU 10. Both defenses are unreal, but I think Alabama RB Trent Richardson will eventually wear down the Tigers' D. One thing to watch for is LSU Head Coach Les Miles' trick plays. If they work, the Tigers certainly could prove me wrong.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Parker (Miami, FL - Sportscaster/CBS4)
Alabama 20, LSU 17. Nothing would give me more joy than to take LSU in the latest edition of "The Game of the Century" (as a diehard Dolphins fan, I still haven't forgiven Saban). As a defensive guy, I am praying for the smash mouth style game, that on paper, we should have. That being said, you cannot overlook the vast difference between both offenses. I like Trent Richardson getting in the end zone twice, as the Tide get a close on.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Meltser (Houston, TX - Sports Host/Sports Radio 610AM)
LSU 24, Alabama 21. Going into the game, there will be a lot of focus on the fact that Alabama has homefield advantage. Still, I believe the LSU playmakers are just a touch better than their counterparts at Bama. Over the last month, the Tigers have put up a ton of points at West Virginia, against Florida, and against Auburn. Many analysts think Jarrett Lee is a limited QB, but LSU has scored over 35 points in every game since mid-September. Rueben Randle has become one of the best WRs in the country, and he needs to do damage against Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick.
The Crimson Tide have also put up a lot of points, but their road games (at Penn State, at Florida, at Ole Miss) haven't been very challenging in terms of adversity. I need to see AJ McCarron step up in a big spot, when he needs to drive his team down the field.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Pompeani (Pittsburgh, PA - Sportscaster/KDKA-TV)
LSU 27, Alabama 24. I like LSU, but Alabama is very capable of beating them head to head. It's the most anticipated game since 1971 when #1 Nebraska beat #2 Oklahoma 35-31. To me, they are clearly the two best teams in the country, which is why the loser of this game should not be penalized by dropping precipitously in the polls. LSU's defense is slightly better and they will create turnover situations. Alabama's run game is the one thing that can change the tempo of this game, Trent Richardson is excellent. Also, Alabama is at home which is a BIG element in this rivalry, so I give a slight edge in coaching to Nick Saban.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boomer Esiason (New York - Sports Host/WFAN)
I like Alabama because they are at home and have College Football's number 1 defense. This will be one intense game.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Valenti (Detroit - Sports Host/97.1 The Ticket)
LSU 24-Bama 20. LSU has the superior athletes and I do believe the two headed QB monster in Baton Rouge is better than what Bama puts out there. Add in the entire world thinks the home team wins and I'll be the Devils advocate.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Bishop (Washington D.C. - Sports Host/106.7 The Fan)
LSU 29, Alabama 24. Their secondary is the best in the nation and they will force AJ McCarron to beat them, and he's not good enough. LSU has played the tougher schedule, so they are battle ready.
