8:00 PM ET, November 9, 2013
Bryant-Denny Stadium, TUSCALOOSA, AL
47°Low
Mostly Clear
- Chance of rain: 0%
- Wind: Calm
- Humidity: 76%
- Stats of the Day:
- Alabama is 11th in FBS with 41.3 points per game and LSU is 16th in FBS with 40.2 points per game. (I think there will be more than 5 field goals in this game!)
- Match Up to Watch:
- Zach Mettenberger vs young Alabama secondary:
- Mettenberger might be THE most improved player in the SEC and maybe in all of college football. Last year, he has only thrown for 2,600 yards and just 12 touchdowns. Already in 9 games, he has 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. LSU defense is not what they use to be and maybe with all the NFL talent leaving has caught up with them. They are giving up 21 points per game which is not bad in other FBS conferences but is a sign of trouble in the SEC. If LSU has any chance of pulling off the upset again in Tuscaloosa then they need Mettenberger to be the greatest quarterback in LSU history.
- Players to Watch:
- LSU:
- Safety- Craig Loston
- Defensive Tackle- Anthony Johnson
- Guard- Trai Turner
- Quarterback- Zach Mettenberger
- Alabama:
- Tackle- Cyrus Kouandjio
- Linebacker- C.J. Mosley
- Defensive End- Adrian Hubbard
- #6 Craig Loston: 6’2 209
Senior, Position- Safety
Grade: 59 Early 5th round grade
Strength:
+ Comes down hill hard and fast. Gets into the backfield and stops the run.
+ Takes on blocks at the point of attack instead of waiting for the block.
+ Always takes good angels on tackles, putting himself in good position.
+ Can make plays in the open field after an interceptions.
Needs Improvement:
– Weak in man to man coverage and gets beaten down the field.
– Way too high. Must bend his knees and keep his butt down throughout the play.
– Dives at the feet instead of going through a ball carrier for the tackle.
#90 Anthony Johnson: 6’3 294
Junior, Position- Defensive Tackle
Grade: 66 Middle 4th round grade
Strength:
+ Can get skinny and shoot in between the blockers.
+ Takes on the double team really and does not get pushed back into the 2nd level.
+ His 4 point stance, is so low and explodes off the ball.
+ Gets his hands in the passing lane and deflects the pass at the line of scrimmage.
+ He is a mad man with his hands. They are always moving and cutting
Needs Improvement:
– Needs to use leverage better to be more successful.
– Will stop his feet and can’t create much push.
– Got to take on cut blocks better. Can’t make a play when you are on the ground
– Seems to wear down late in the game. Not as effective like he was early in the game
#56 Trai Turner: 6’3 316
Sophomore, Position- Guard
Grade: 69 Early 4th round grade
Strength:
+ Works well on a double team and gets to the 2nd level.
+ Knows how to finish off a block and gets them on the ground.
+ Will take a defender momentum out of the play.
+ Always keeps his legs chopping. Never flat footed.
+ Good understanding of blitz pick up and what his assignment is.
Needs Improvement:
– His stance is a concern. Elbow is resting on his knees and is way too high.
– Struggles to block at squaring up his block against the linebacker.
– Must sustain his block better.
– Can’t create much push on his own. If you are not the low man then you can’t win.
#8 Zach Mettenberger: 6’5 235
Senior, Position- Quarterback
Grade: 72 Late 3rd round grade
Strength:
+ Has amazing arm talent. Can throw that ball at any point of the field.
+ Footwork has been a major improvement from last year. Now he is stepping into his throws.
+ If it wasn’t for him then the Georgia game wouldn’t even be close.
+ He is going through his progression. His 1st, 2nd, and 3rd read.
+ Getting better at stepping up in the pocket and extending the play.
+ Not afraid to take his shots down the field.
+ Makes a lot of “check with me” calls at the line of scrimmage and puts his offense in a good play.
+ Doesn’t matter if its 4th & 10 or 3rd & 22, he just converts when it matters the most.
Needs Improvement:
– Takes too many sacks. Needs to know when to throw the ball away.
– Will force the ball into tight windows instead of taking what the defense gives him.
– Struggles with his post snap read. If you disguise coverage against then he cant process it during the play.
– Ball placement will have to get better. Must lead your receiver so they can make yards after the catch.
– Struggles with his post snap read and understanding the changes from the pre snap.
#71 Cyrus Kouandjio: 6’6 310
Junior, Position- Tackle
Grade: 82 Late 2nd round grade
Strength:
+ Nice hook block. Able to get outside and keep leverage against the defender.
+ Athletic for his size which makes him great at left tackle.
+ Kept his quarterback clean vs tough opponents.
+ He improved every game last year.
Needs Improvement:
– Needs to develop more power on his own.
– Did suffer a major knee injury 2 years ago
– Struggles in pulling and squaring up at the second level.
#32 C.J. Mosley: 6’2 232
Senior, Position- Linebacker
Grade: 81 Late 2nd round grade
Strength:
+ Good speed but also have good body control.
+ Sheds his block and go make a tackle.
+ Top notch coverage skills for a linebacker.
+ Attacks the block at the point of attack.
Needs Improvement:
– Not imposing. Needs to create more push in goal line situations.
– Does not make a major impact in a game.
– Can’t create much pressure on the quarterback.
#42 Adrian Hubbard: 6’6 252
Junior, Position- Linebacker
Grade: 55 Middle 5th round grade
Strength:
+ Sports a really nice bull rush. Pushes the lineman back into the quarterback.
+ His long arms allow him to keep separation for the blocker.
Needs Improvement:
– Lacks elite speed so his speed rush doesn’t not scare offensive coaches.
– Played in coverage at times and was over matched.
– Tight in the hips and can’t adjust to the play.
– Never has elite production in the game. He doesn’t bring the fear.
– Plays way too high. Can’t use leverage if you are high.
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