The college football season is heating up as two of the top teams in the SEC West face off in a crucial showdown on Saturday night. No. 8 Alabama hosts No. 14 LSU at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, with both teams aiming to keep their conference title and playoff hopes alive. The game will be broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+ with Showtime at 7:45 p.m. ET.
Alabama Looks to Avenge Last Year’s Loss
The Crimson Tide are coming off a bye week after defeating No. 19 Tennessee 34-20 on Oct. 28. Alabama has won six straight games since losing 34-24 to Texas on Sept. 9, the only blemish on its record. Alabama leads the nation in scoring offense, averaging 48.6 points per game, behind the stellar play of quarterback Jalen Milroe. The sophomore has thrown for 2,487 yards and 23 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. He has also rushed for 467 yards and six scores, making him a dual-threat nightmare for opposing defenses.
Alabama’s offense also features a dynamic duo of receivers in Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond, who have combined for 1,342 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide’s running game is led by senior Brian Robinson Jr., who has 857 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Alabama’s defense has been solid, allowing 19.4 points per game, but has shown some vulnerability against the pass, ranking 75th nationally in passing yards allowed per game (238.9).
Alabama will be looking to avenge last year’s 32-31 overtime loss to LSU in Baton Rouge, which snapped a nine-game winning streak over the Tigers. The Crimson Tide have not lost to LSU at home since 2011, when the Tigers won 9-6 in a defensive slugfest.
LSU Aims to Keep Momentum Going
The Tigers are also coming off a bye week after winning three consecutive games over Missouri, Auburn, and Army. LSU has bounced back from a rocky start to the season, when it lost to Florida State and Mississippi in September. LSU ranks second in the nation in passing offense, averaging 373.9 yards per game, thanks to the sensational performance of quarterback Jayden Daniels. The junior leads the nation in passer efficiency with a rating of 204.3. He has thrown for 2,718 yards and 25 touchdowns, with only two interceptions. He is tied with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams of USC for the most touchdown passes in the country.
LSU’s passing attack is complemented by a balanced running game, featuring senior Tyrion Davis-Price and sophomore Armoni Goodwin, who have combined for 1,063 yards and 13 touchdowns. LSU’s defense has been improving, allowing 22.6 points per game, but has struggled against the run, ranking 104th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (191.4).
LSU will be hoping to repeat last year’s thrilling victory over Alabama, when Daniels threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning 25-yard strike to Kayshon Boutte in overtime. The Tigers have not won in Tuscaloosa since 2013, when they edged the Crimson Tide 34-31 in a classic shootout.
Prediction, Expert Picks, and How to Watch
The game is expected to be a high-scoring affair, as both teams boast explosive offenses and potent quarterbacks. The oddsmakers favor Alabama by 10.5 points, according to CBS Sports, but LSU has proven to be a tough opponent for the Crimson Tide in recent years. The experts at CBS Sports are split on their predictions, with four picking Alabama to win and cover the spread, and four picking LSU to either win outright or keep it close.
The game will be televised live on CBS, with Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, and Jamie Erdahl on the call. The game will also be streamed live on Paramount+ with Showtime, which offers a CBS live stream. You can also watch the game online with an active subscription to fuboTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, or YouTube TV, which all offer a CBS live stream. You can follow the live updates, score, and highlights from the game on MSN.com.
