LSU vs. Alabama Statistics Breakdown
TUSCALOOSA, AL (The Spread) – When placing a bet on No. 2 Alabama against No. 1 LSU sometimes it comes down to a closer look at the numbers. Here is a look at the stats for both teams entering Saturday’s game.
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Coming into the game, oddsmakers have the Crimson Tide as the favorite to win this game, giving Alabama odds of -4.5 points against LSU. (View Matchup)
There is a reason that these two teams are ranked where they are. They both feature the best offenses and defenses in the country. Offensively, the two teams are almost dead even in scoring as LSU averages 39.3 points per game and Alabama averages 39.4. Those ranks 12th and 13th respectively in the nation.
Alabama has a slight edge in the offensive production as they average 457.6 total yards to just 372.1 for LSU. The Tide posts 229.3 rushing yards per game while LSU has just 189.0. In passing, Alabama averages 237.4 passing yards per game, while the Tigers average just 188.3. Granted LSU has played a tougher schedule to this point, but Alabama appears to have the offensive fire power. The best player on either offense appears to be Trent Richardson, who has rushed for 989 yards and 17 touchdowns this season and is a favorite in the Heisman race.
Defensively, both teams have been dominant as well. Alabama ranks first in the country in scoring defense, allowing just 6.9 points per game while LSU is second at 11.5 points per contest. The Tide is also first in total yards allowed at just 180.5 while LSU is third at 251.4. In the rushing game, Alabama again ranks first in the country, allowing just 44.9 yards per game on the ground while LSU is third at 76.6 yards per game. In the passing game, Alabama is second in the country at 135.6 yards allowed per game while LSU ranks eighth at 174.8 yards per game. LSU has a slight edge in the interception department with 11 while Alabama has 9. LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee has thrown just one interception on the year for the Tigers and their cornerback Morris Claiborne has three interceptions.
When it comes to special teams, LSU has had a slight edge in punting, averaging 43.4 yards per kick while Alabama has just 39 yards per punt. Field position could be an important factor in a competitive game like this. The Crimson Tide has a 12.7 yard to 8 yard average edge in punt returns on LSU while they also have a slim edge in kick returns at 23.5 yards per return to 22.7 for LSU. In field goals, LSU’s Drew Alleman is 10-for-12 on the season with a long of 44 yards. He has missed his lone attempt from outside of 50 yards. Alabama kicker Jeremy Shelley is 11-of-13 on the season with a long of just 37 yards. Cade Foster has three field goal attempts for Alabama and is 1-of-3 with a long of 45, but has missed both kicks outside of 50 yards.
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