SEC Game of the Week-by Steve Morton

The Game of the Week

LSU at Alabama

Why this game? First, after a couple of weeks of moving and such, it feels good to be back. NostraMorton has a new job and is refreshed and ready to go. I could almost say this game because it’s Alabama and LSU. Les Miles and Nick Saban. These two schools have won the National Championship 5 times since 2003. Each is a recruiting powerhouse, stocked with NFL talent.

Where can I see it? Saturday, November 7th at 8:00 ET on CBS.

When Roll Damn Tide has the ball

Alabama’s offense will look to establish the run with Derrick Henry. Henry accounts for 33% of Alabama’s total offense and 48% of the Tide’s scores. Alabama likes to get him to the second level where LB’s and defensive backs have a business decision to make when the 6’3 245 Henry is rolling at them. Henry can be slowed down by penetration but no defense has been successful at stopping him in 2015.

Alabama uses that run game to set up easy passes for Jacob Coker. Without an Amari Cooper or Marquise Lee level #1 wide receiver to feed, Offensive Coordinator Kiffin has gone to a more balanced pass attack utilizing: Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart and OJ Howard as well as RBs Kenyon Drake and Henry.  LSU counters with the Nation’s 6th best rush defense led by MLB, Kendall Beckwith. LSU is loaded as usual with Sunday defenders in the secondary such as senior CB Tre White, senior S Jalen Mills, Jr S safety, Ricky Jefferson, Fr CB Kevin Tolliver and the LSU defenses best player sophomore S Jordan Adams. Look for LSU to attempt to match up with Alabama’s WR with their secondary players and load the box to stop Henry. Few teams have the necessary secondary players to make this strategy work but LSU does.

When the Tigers have the ball:

LSU features the most dynamic RB in the nation in power/speed combo back, Leonard Fournette in combination with the best run blocking line in the nation led by RT Vidal Alexander. Simply put LSU’s game plan is like Novocain, it’s boring but it always works. They are going to give the ball to Leonard Fournette. Fournette accounts for 43% of LSU’s offense and 63% of LSU’s touchdowns. Fournette is one of the special backs that can accept a 30 carry load, grind out yards and still provide big plays when a crease happens. He can both run over and run away from defenders. Oh and LSU’s offensive line is a blocking machine led by in my opinion the best run blocking offensive tackle in the nation in Vidal Alexander. LSU does not have a varied pass game but the one thing they do well in the pass game is make explosive plays to a pair of sub 4.5 40 type WRs: Trevin Dural and Malachi Dupree. Alabama’s defense is born to stop the run evidenced by their rating of 3rd in the nation in run defense. It’s led by MLB Reggie Ragland and front three DL: A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and Jonathan Allen. Robinson, Reed and Allen are good at holding the LOS and letting Ragland, a large LB with surprising range roam and make plays. Alabama has been susceptible to big plays in the secondary in the past but have been better in this area due mainly to the solid play of CB Cyrus Jones and the All American level play of Eddie Jackson at safety. LSU with its combination of Fournette plus explosive WRs will be the biggest test for the Tide this year.

2016 Draft Offensive Player to Watch–Vidal Alexander OT LSU – This is a game that you could pick any number of people to watch. On offense for 2016, the LSU OT’s: Alexander and Hawkins, LSU WR Dural, Alabama TE OJ Howard, Alabama RB Derrick Henry, Alabama RB Kenyon Drake. I want to highlight one of my favorite players in the nation: Vidal Alexander. Alexander is a large (6’6 330) road grader in the run game. He shows elite functional strength. He is an elite sustainer of blocks. He locks on to his man and shoves him until the play is over. Many of Fournette’s explosive runs have come behind Alexander’s explosive blocks. Alexander has extremely heavy hands and his initial punch puts defenders on the defensive from the get go. In addition, Alexander plays with a nasty attitude and finishes his blocks with same intentions that Michael Myers has on Halloween. He is in my opinion the best offensive guard prospect in the 2016 draft and wouldn’t embarrass himself at RT. His functional strength in combination with his feet are good enough to play OT in the NFL.

2016 Draft Defensive Player to Watch–Reggie Ragland LB Alabama – Like on offense this game has 2016 NFL prospects all over the field. Alabama defensive lineman Robinson, Reed and Allen will play in the NFL, Alabama CB Cyrus Jones and S Eddie Jackson are NFL players. LSU will send secondary members White and Mills to the NFL. Ragland is my top ILB in the draft. Ragland is large at 6’3 255 and he’s an explosive and sure tackler. His combination of speed and athletic ability for his size combined with elite instincts allow him to play sideline to sideline in the run game. He can play through blocks and he is not a zero in the pass game. He’s an instinctive blitzer and his instincts play in the passing game as well. He’s a leader and he plays with an attitude.

Let the Fans Speak – Enough of my opinions, let’s have some smack talk

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://twitter.com/smorton101368″>@smorton101368</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/jmorrisMCM”>@jmorrisMCM</a> Bama literally lost to Ole Miss. That's all I have to say</p>&mdash; trevor newsome (@TitansTrev55) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TitansTrev55/status/663014523536867329″>November 7, 2015</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://twitter.com/smorton101368″>@smorton101368</a> Ohio State literally lost to Va Tech. Losses happen. This Bama team, like tOSU, has grown a lot this season. 28-24 Bama.</p>&mdash; Shane Alexander (@Alexander1Great) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Alexander1Great/status/663043844032897024″>November 7, 2015</a></blockquote>

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Who wins?

Two teams that are elite at running the ball and elite at stopping the other team from running the ball. I think both Fournette and Henry run for 150+ and the game is higher scoring than people think. I also think LSU gets an explosive play in the pass game and that Alabama TE OJ Howard makes an explosive play. Give me LSU over Alabama 28-24

NostraMorton’s Top 12 (Week 7)

• Baylor

• Clemson

• LSU

• Ohio State

• TCU

• Michigan State

• Notre Dame

• Florida

• Alabama

• Iowa

• Oklahoma State

• Memphis

Baylor has been the most consistently dominant team in the nation. Clemson is the nation’s most complete team. LSU has been consistent and is unbeaten vs a very tough schedule. I’ll keep the champs in until they lose and believe the committee will do the same. TCU has won some tight ones but NostraMorton buys into them more than the Michigan State, Lucky Charms, Iowa or Oklahoma State. If those three teams stay unbeaten NostraMorton will have to take that L and move them into the top 4. (Certain: bowl reps and TV dudes just lost their collective lunch). Sorry Alabama, Florida and Fighting Leprecauns –NostraMorton isn’t letting you sniff the top 4 until some of those unbeaten teams lose. You get no history points here.

NostraMorton Heisman Watch

• Leonard Fournette RB LSU

NostraMorton’s crystal ball tells him Leonard Fournette will win the Heisman Trophy.