Each week during the season, Chad Reuter and Rob Rang will analyze the biggest game of the week featuring NFL prospects as part of the weekly Draft Slant product from NFLDraftScout.com.
Game of the Week: No. 9 LSU at No. 3 Alabama, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
LSU (16) and Alabama (15) have the most players in NFLDraftScout.com's top 750 senior prospects. And that doesn't include the underclass talent that keeps scouts coming to Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa.
|
|
| LSU receiver Brandon LaFell commands constant attention. (US Presswire) |
All-Southeastern Conference left tackle Ciron Black and underappreciated but athletic junior right tackle Joseph Barksdale will help the interior linemen battle powerful end Brandon Deaderick and high-motor end Lorenzo Washington. But they also must be aware of blitzing outside linebacker Eryk Anders, who has four sacks in 2009, and cornerback Javier Arenas, who the Tide coaches brought off the edge to make 3½ tackles for loss and a pair of sacks against Tennessee.
But scouts watching Alabama game tape usually come away most impressed with junior inside linebacker Rolando McClain because of his 6-4, 256-pound frame, speed and instincts from the middle. His presence in the middle is reminiscent of former Ole Miss standout Patrick Willis, now a Pro Bowler with the San Francisco 49ers. Les Miles hopes his line and receivers can master their blocking assignments, especially against McClain, so big running back Charles Scott can break through and punish defensive backs in the second level. Scott had 92 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns against Alabama last season.
Alabama strong-side linebacker Cory Reamer will focus on covering tight end/fullback Richard Dickson more than coming after the quarterback. However, Dickson hasn't been as involved in the passing game with only 13 receptions after combining for 63 the past two seasons. Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson has found wide receiver Brandon LaFell fairly often in the end zone, though the senior has three two-score games this season (eight total touchdowns).
Junior receiver Terrance Toliver is actually the team's leading receiver (38 catches, 501 yards, three touchdowns) as he uses his 6-5 frame against smaller corners against the boundary and exploits single coverage with LaFell commanding more attention. Jefferson is growing as a quarterback, completing 63.7 percent of his passes and throwing 11 touchdowns against four interceptions. His ability to make first downs with his feet, when he decides to do so, is an element Saban and his staff must account for.
The Tide does have one of the nation's top cornerback groups with Arenas, junior Kareem Jackson and reserve Marquis Johnson -- they've combined for two interceptions and 21 pass breakups this season. Strong safety Justin Woodall and junior free safety Mark Barron round out the most nation's talented secondary. With Arenas and Jackson handling LaFell and Toliver man-up at times, it will free the safeties to nose around the line to stop Scott or spy Jefferson. But Barron and Woodall also have the ability to read the quarterback's eyes and break on the ball if playing deep.
| Column |
|
|
| LSU-Alabama links |
|
Reuter: Tigers, Tide a scouting dream Holder: LSU hoping offense comes around |
| Video |
|
|
 CBS Game of the Week |
|
LSU-Alabama on SEC Live and CBS, Saturday |
Dennis Dodd
Simulation: Getting sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones the ball would be a big boost to Alabama's fledgling offense, but he'll be facing a strong cover man in 6-1, 211-pound sophomore Patrick Peterson while mid-round prospect Chris Hawkins plays whoever else is lined up outside. Junior free safety Chad Jones seems to rise to the occasion, like his Walter Camp Player of the Week performance against Mississippi State when he made eight tackles -- including a game-saver near the goal line -- an important pass breakup and returned a punt for a 93-yard touchdown.
Alabama's Heisman candidate and son of the former NFL player of the same name, sophomore running back Mark Ingram, has a great combination of strength and speed that has led to 1,004 rushing yards. But his job gets a lot tougher if dependable left guard Mike Johnson and tackle Drew Davis can't handle a beefy LSU front four. Defensive tackles Al Woods, Charles Alexander, and junior Drakes Nevis will make quarterback Greg McElroy uncomfortable in the pocket, especially if end Rahim Alem steps up his pass rush.
McElroy's favorite target not named Jones, tight end Colin Peek, was hurt last week when Washington fell on him in warm-ups -- he could be a crucial contributor as both an edge blocker and receiver in this contest. Getting free against outside linebackers Perry Riley or Harry Coleman won't be easy, though, as both players excel in coverage. Inside linebacker Jacob Cutrera joins junior team-leading tackler Kelvin Sheppard (who lines up at all three 'backer spots) as the front seven will be charged with stuffing the run and forcing the Tide to move the ball through the air.
On special teams, Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin and punter P.J. Fitzgerald will try to stay away from LSU track star and return specialist Trindon Holliday, who hasn't taken a kick or punt back for a touchdown this year but is capable of doing so at any time. A Tiffin field goal could be the difference in a potentially low-scoring game, and he also has seven touchbacks so Holliday might not see the ball much. The Tide have their own NFL-caliber returner in Arenas, who has six punt returns for scores and almost 3,500 career return yards (he's less than 200 yards from Wes Welker's NCAA punt return mark).
Diamond in the Rough
OT Casey Knips South Dakota State
The former basketball player boasts a rare combination of size and straight-line speed that, with work, could translate into success in the NFL. The two-year starter is a team leader and was recently recognized as a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy (formerly the Draddy Trophy). Knips and the Jackrabbits beat Youngstown State last weekend, improving to 7-1. Much of the credit for the victory, which featured two rushing touchdowns by South Dakota and no tackles behind the line of scrimmage allowed, goes to the offensive line.
Despite his size, Knips shows good quickness off the snap, easing into his pass set. He plays on the balls of his feet and with proper knee bend in pass protection. He uses his long arms to protect to catch pass rushers and has the lateral agility to slide with them. Knips is lanky and needs to improve his upper body strength as a run blocker and continue to work on leverage, although he was at least able to wall off Youngstown State defenders. Where Knips struggled was with flexibility, as he lacks the bend and balance for cut blocks, a staple in today's spread passing attacks. Knips' inability to get low and knock the feet out from under his assignment nearly led to a disastrous interception in the second quarter with the game tied 3-3. -- Rob Rang
Chad Reuter is a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange. Rob Rang contributed to this story.
