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Alabama vs LSU: 5 key players to watch

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are five players who will determine the outcome of Saturday’s huge SEC matchup between the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 15 LSU Tigers.

One of the most entertaining and intense annual games of any college football regular season is nearly upon us, as the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Baton Rouge to take on the No. 15 LSU Tigers on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.

About a month ago, it looked like the Crimson Tide-Tigers matchup wasn’t going to be much of a contest. LSU went from playoff contender prior to the regular season to 2-2 at the end of September due to a terrible offense, and dismissed longtime head coach Les Miles following a 18-13 loss to Auburn.

Since then, the Tigers have played much better with three straight wins under interim head coach Ed Orgeron. LSU’s offense is finally putting up numbers worthy of its talent level behind superstar running back Leonard Fournette, who piled up a school-record 284 yards and three touchdowns against Ole Miss after missing two full games due to injury.

Meanwhile, Alabama looks like the best team in the country on both sides of the ball and is destroying everyone in its path. The fact that last week’s 33-14 win over No. 9 Texas A&M was by far the Crimson Tide’s closest contest since mid-September shows just how dominant they have been.

Alabama is understandably a touchdown favorite, but a night game at LSU with the Tigers playing well is not going to be easy. The matchup will feature tons of NFL-caliber talent on both sides of the ball, including stars like Fournette and Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts.

While they might not all be the absolute best talents on the field, these five players will determine the outcome on Saturday night in Death Valley.

D.J. Chark, WR, LSU

LSU is going to have to generate a few splash plays through the air to beat the dominant Crimson Tide defense, particularly with safety Eddie Jackson out for the year with a broken leg. Ole Miss had the most success against Alabama this season with 43 points and 522 total yards, including four throws downfield of at least 37 yards.

The Tigers’ best chance to generate those big plays will be Chark, a speedy junior wide reciever. While Malachi Dupre gets more attention, Chark is averaging nearly 17 yards per catch on 16 receptions and has been a big factor in all three games since Miles was dismissed

Steve Ensminger has opened up the playbook, which has helped Chark use his quickness in the open field. Chark has scored in two consecutive games, including an 80-yard breakaway touchdown on October 15 against Southern Miss.

Overall, Chark had 99 total yards and two touchdowns against the Golden Eagles, and reeled in a 40-yard score the next week against Ole Miss. LSU will need a similar performance on Saturday, as the junior is its best chance to generate a necessary big play against Alabama.

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