The Alabama Crimson Tide is set for its biggest game of the season this weekend in Baton Rouge, taking on Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers. The winner may have the inside track towards getting to the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff.

Historically speaking, Alabama has fared pretty well at Tiger Stadium, and despite some struggles on the road for Kalen DeBoer’s Tide teams, it was a Crimson beat down the last time two years ago in 2024. But this is a very different LSU team led by Kiffin, and it is one of the more talented rosters in the nation.

If Alabama is going to win this game, there are three things they absolutely must do.

Use Keelon Russell’s legs

Russell is one of the best young passers in the country, but Alabama also has the benefit that he is absolutely electrifying with his legs and in the run game. Given that LSU has one of the best pass rushing duos in the nation in Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross, getting Russell on the move is going to be critical – whether it’s by design or him just making plays to escape sacks.

Alabama needs to keep him off the ground as much as possible, but when the Tigers do make him uncomfortable, Russell has to make some plays with his feet to keep this offense on schedule and move the ball down the field.

Make Sam Leavitt uncomfortable

Watching the LSU quarterback has been an absolute roller coaster this year, but the last two games leading into the bye, Leavitt seems to be playing his best football right now. Controlled and poised from the pocket, Alabama must generate a pass rushing threat to make him uncomfortable and get him on the ground a few times.

If Leavitt is running around making plays all day and dotting up open receivers, it has the potential to be a very long afternoon for the Crimson Tide.

Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers

When Alabama’s offense has been at its best this season, Russell has been taking care of the football and the running backs have held onto it. Conversely, in both of their losses, turnovers absolutely destroyed this team in all facets. Russell has made some poor decisions as well as being strip sacked, and the running back unit has been a bit loose with the ball as well.

If Alabama is going to pull off this upset, not only do they have to protect the football, but the defense needs to do what it does best and take it away at least once or twice. A defensive score, or a turnover that sets up one team’s offense in scoring territory, could prove to be the difference in this game.