Overview
- Kickoff is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Bryant-Denny Stadium on ABC, with Alabama installed as a double-digit favorite.
- Sportsbooks list the spread around 10–10.5 points, while SportsLine’s model projects LSU to cover in most simulations.
- Frank Wilson leads LSU in his first game as interim head coach after Kelly’s dismissal, with Alex Atkins taking over play-calling on offense.
- Alabama rides a seven-game win streak and a long home run as QB Ty Simpson enters with Heisman-caliber efficiency and clutch performances.
- Analysts spotlight the trenches as decisive, noting Alabama’s inconsistent run game and protection versus LSU’s defense, with Nick Saban and AJ McCarron warning about the ‘interim coach’ surge and stressing a fast Tide start.