Week 10 LSU vs. Alabama NCAAF Betting Preview

The new coach at Alabama faces his old team in a key SEC matchup

November 1st, 2007

By Jason Brough
Bodog Nation Contributing Writers

Fans of the Miami Dolphins don't have much to cheer about these days. This Saturday, though, expect teal-clad Floridians all across the state to at least crack a smile if the LSU Tigers do what oddsmakers think they'll do: beat Alabama. More specifically, beat Nick Saban.

Oh, and LSU fans will be happy too.

Saban – who coached in Baton Rouge from 2000-04 and then left to take over the Dolphins in 2005 only to jump ship once again in 2007 to Alabama – will be the primary focus this weekend in Tuscaloosa as his No. 17 Crimson Tide (6-2) host the No. 3 Tigers (7-1) as 7.5-point underdogs.

Why such anger towards the same man who helped return LSU to the upper-echelons of college football?

"Nick rubs a lot of people the wrong way," said Charles Hanagriff, sports director for Eagle 98.1, the LSU flagship. "My problem stems from the condescending way he left the Dolphins. He belittled everyone that questioned him while he was considering going to Alabama, which he did. He denied it so vigorously and vociferously. I had a problem with that.

"The fact that he went to Alabama is the swing for the fans. Had he gone to another school — if there was an opening — it might be different. But he's at Alabama, which LSU sees as a rival. And they hate him. The fans can't stand this guy. They're looking to this game for blood."

Added fan Warren Doussan of Saban: "He's a snake in the grass. And I'll say that to his face. I want us to beat Alabama bad."

Granted, it hasn't been as bad for the Tigers as it's been for the Fins in Saban's absence. Coach Les Miles is 29-5 as head man at LSU and has the program gunning for a national championship in 2007. The Tigers should be big favorites in their three remaining games following the Tide affair – home to Louisiana Tech (3-5), at Mississippi (2-7) and home to Arkansas (5-3) – and considering No. 1 Ohio State (9-0) and No. 2 Boston College (8-0) are no shoe-ins to run the table, the BCS title game is well within their grasp.

LSU bounced back admirably from its triple-overtime loss at Kentucky on Oct. 13 with a last-second, come-from-behind 30-24 victory over Auburn the following Saturday. With an extra week to rest, the Tigers should be well-prepared for a game that's been circled on the calendar since the schedule was released.

It's Up to Flynn

Biggest game of the season or not, the Tigers will have to do it without quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who along with reserve linebacker Derrick Odom will not see the field after being involved in a nightclub brawl over the weekend.

"We will prepare to play without these guys," Miles said.

Perrilloux has been in trouble with the law before. In May, he was suspended indefinitely from the team for trying to use his older brother's driver's license to get into a casino. His off-field troubles are unfortunate considering his talent. The 6-foot-3-inch, 227-pound sophomore has subbed for starting quarterback Matt Flynn throughout the season and is a threat to either throw or run.

As for Flynn, he was the star of the Auburn comeback, leading five second-half scoring drives including the last one that covered 58 yards in nine plays. In all, the fifth-year senior passed for 319 yards and three TDs.

Flynn's performance was especially impressive considering the Kentucky debacle in which he completed just 17 of 35 passes for 130 yards with a touchdown and an interception. A hurricane of criticism followed with many calling for Perrilloux to take over at QB full time. Of course, according to one teammate, it's tough to bring Flynn down.

"He doesn't get rattled," wide receiver Early Doucet told the New York Times. "He's poised. He's calm."

That poise will be tested once again in front of 90,000-plus at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Wilson's Rolling Now

Just like Flynn, Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson has had to put up with his share of doubters. When the Tide lost back-to-back games in September, it was the inaccurate Wilson who caught most of the blame.

"It doesn't bother me a bit," he said at the time. "I just realize it's part of the job. It goes both ways. If you think you're the best in the world when you win, you're not going to prepare like you should and you won't win the next week and then everyone hates you."

Two weeks ago, Wilson was brilliant as the Tide rolled over Tennessee 41-17. The junior from Hoover was 32-of-46 for 363 yards and three scores.

"Wilson played outstanding and they threw a short passing game and run game to keep us off the field, and we couldn't get them stopped," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said.

What's At Stake

The winner of Saturday's game will take sole possession of first place in the SEC West. However, for supporters of both teams, it's about more than a shot at a national title or bowl game. For the Tiger faithful, it's about finally getting revenge on a coach they once loved and respected. For 'Bama boosters, it's about justifying the decision to bring that same coach on board.

The players have been preparing for two weeks. The fans can't wait any longer.

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