LSU is the next challenger to try to slow down Alabama's explosive offense, and it may be the best equipped to do so. The Tigers' defensive backs will be by far the most talented the Tide has faced.
Alabama has scored 22 offensive touchdowns on plays of 15 yards or more this season, the most in the SEC. But LSU has allowed only four offensive scores of 15-plus yards this season, tied for the fewest in the SEC. Tua Tagovailoa has yet to throw an interception this year, while the Tigers' 14 picks are tied for most in the nation.
Something has to give, right?
Greedy Williams and LSU's defensive backs have one very important goal -- eliminate explosive plays, namely from receiver Jerry Jeudy. The speedster leads this vaunted Alabama offense with 31 catches for 777 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jeudy has torched single coverage for a whopping 25 yards per catch.
While Jeudy's speed, body control and athleticism are off the charts, it's his enhanced savvy while reading coverage on the fly that makes him such an unstoppable force.
Alabama has traditionally featured a go-to target you had to plan against -- Julio Jones, Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley. Jeudy is arguably playing at a higher level right now than his current NFL predecessors.
In their defense, this version of Alabama's offense boasts dangerous playmakers at every spot. Jaylen Waddle, Irv Smith Jr., DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III are big-play options who make it difficult to play double coverage on Jeudy. Let's take a look at some clips that show why the Tua-to-Jeudy combination is so effective.