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LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is calling it the whole key to the game.
The matchup between the LSU offensive line and the Alabama defensive line should be decisive to the game’s outcome. When fully healthy, LSU has as good of an offensive line as any team in the SEC, Alabama included.
However, LSU’s offensive line has been banged up throughout the season. Under ideal circumstances, the unit includes Remington Award nominee Ethan Pocic at center, a healthy William Clapp at left guard, Josh Boutte at right guard Toby Weathersby at right tackle and K.J. Malone at left tackle.
Clapp has battled a shoulder injury at various points this season, and Weathersby did not take first-team reps at practice this week due to a lingering ankle injury. Josh Boutte participated at practice but has also been battling an undisclosed injury.
Clapp told reporters this week that this year’s matchup is more favorable to them. Bold words. Certainly, one can understand the explanation that the offensive line is more motivated this season, but it’s still a strong statement against one of the nation’s toughest defenses.
Alabama leads the nation with 4.0 sacks per game and has a total of 32 on the season. The Crimson Tide defense has recorded at least three sacks in every game so far.
Meanwhile, the LSU offensive line has given up more than two sacks in a game just once this season. In that contest, the team lost to Auburn 18-13 after allowing four sacks. In addition to that, Auburn had seven quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.
Alabama will need to generate that kind of pressure if it wants to stymie an upstart LSU attack under coordinator Steve Ensminger. Heavy pressure against Arkansas resulted in seven quarterback sacks, Alabama’s highest total in a single game this season. The team’s second-highest total came in its last outing, racking up five against Texas A&M.
Linebacker Tim Williams and defensive end Jonathan Alllen lead the way for the Alabama defense. Williams has a team-high 6.5 sacks, and Allen isn’t far behind with 6.
Alabama may try to generate a pass rush in more creative ways than just the outside edge. Two of the team’s defensive tackles actually have two sacks. Both Da’Shawn Hand and Dalvin Tomlinson have collapsed the pocket to get to the quarterback, and other linebackers such as Ryan Anderson (4.5), Shaun Dion Hamilton (2.0) and Christian Miller (2.0) have also posted multiple sacks.
For all of LSU’s health problems and fielding four different starting combinations on the offensive line through seven games, the unit has still only allowed 11 sacks, third-fewest in the SEC.
Danny Etling isn’t going to put up gaudy numbers, but he’s good at making smart short-to-intermediate throws without making many mistakes. However, as the Auburn game illustrated, his accuracy dwindled when he was under constant pressure. Etling was just 15-for-27 passing against Auburn.
While keeping a clean pocket for Etling is vital to LSU having sustained success against Alabama, the offensive line also has to do its part to create room for LSU’s running backs.
Two weeks ago, Leonard Fournette ran all over Ole Miss, but Alabama is a different challenge. The Crimson Tide has the best run defense in the nation. The LSU front will need to get low and create a push so Fournette isn’t met at or behind the line of scrimmage as he was last season, when he ran for just 31 yards against Alabama.
LSU doesn’t need a 200-yard performance from Fournette. As long as the offensive line buys Etling some time to keep the chains moving, LSU has a chance to end its five-game losing streak to Alabama.
