Typically, the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide are a matchup that college football fans wait all year for. A night game in Death Valley or Bryant-Denny, the rivalry has produced some of the best games in the history of the sport.

But this year is a little different. While LSU still has a stacked roster and Alabama has to be on upset alert, the Tide are heavily favored, even fetching a double-digit spread on some books. That’s due in large part to the turmoil within the program following the earth-shattering firing of Brian Kelly.

But can LSU hone the new energy that an interim head coach will bring to the program, or will the Tide keep on rolling? Our panel of college football analysts makes their predictions.

Alabama 35, LSU 28

“I think Alabama wins the game, but I expect the Tigers to show some bite. Remember, both teams are coming off a bye week, and LSU still has one of the better rosters in the sport. The skill players on LSU are no joke, and Mansoor Delane has quickly become one of the better corners in college.”

“All that being said, I believe Alabama’s offense will be too much to handle for LSU. I believe that the Tide finds its run game this week, and the offense puts up a well-balanced attack en route to victory under the lights at Saban Field.” – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama

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Alabama 38, LSU 24

“This has been a game with national recognition over the past 15-20 years, mainly due to the stability of both programs. Alabama is trending back up with head coach Kalen DeBoer and quarterback Ty Simpson. LSU, however, is in a much different place after firing head coach Brian Kelly ahead of the bye week. That notwithstanding, LSU has been incredibly up and down, especially on offense, as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has been anything but consistent. With the Crimson Tide rolling and setting themselves up for a top four seed in the College Football Playoff, they are going to continue rolling on Saturday.” – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports, Florida Gators

Alabama 30, LSU 17

“The Tide and Tigers are going in dramatically different directions right now. Will LSU get an interim head coach bump? Maybe – but it still doesn’t feel like enough to get a win on Saturday. Ty Simpson is playing at the top of CFB right now and belongs in the Heisman conversation. The Crimson Tide defense had improved notably over the past few weeks as well and are keen on forcing a timely turnover. That’s bad news for the LSU offense who can’t avoid making costly mistakes on offense. Hard to see a route to a Tigers victory here so give me Bama.” – Adam Holt, A to Z Sports College Football

Alabama 27, LSU 23

“The Tigers are in shambles right now, but having Brian Kelly out of the door will reinvigorate a talented locker room that likely despised playing for the crotchety coach. Instead, this group is looking for pride and to break a 23-year-run with only two wins against Alabama. This Crimson Tide team is constricting on defense, and the passing game is excellent. But they’re not unbeatable, and the Tigers could benefit from the bye week as much as any team in the conference. Alas, Alabama still closes this out on the back of Ty Simpson. LSU will push hard, and this might be the last we see of several key veterans, but they simply haven’t shown enough to overcome a more disciplined foe.”

– Ian Valentino, A to Z Sports College Football

Final Takeaways

Alabama is the favorite among our staff, with the only question being how much they win by. Music to the ears of Crimson Tide fans, we’ll see if Alabama can follow suit with a big win on Saturday.

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