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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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Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) throws against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) throws against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Danny Etling, QB, LSU

Jalen Hurts is about as proven as a freshman quarterback can be, and shouldn’t be phased by the environment after already winning at Ole Miss and Tennessee. However, we will have to wait until Saturday to see how the quarterback on the other sideline will react to easily the most pressure-packed game of his career.

Etling appeared in 13 games over two years for Purdue, throwing for just shy of 2,500 yards with 16 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. After transferring and sitting out a year, Etling has played in six games for the Tigers this season with better numbers than he posted at Purdue.

Incumbent starter Brandon Harris was under center for LSU’s season-opening loss to Wisconsin, but was removed from the role quickly after going 12-for-21 for just 131 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Etling has played nearly every snap over six games since, completing over 60 percent of his passes for 1,129 yards and seven touchdowns to three interceptions.

The quarterback change has helped the skilled wide receiver duo of Dupre and Chark, but Etling will face an entirely new level of challenge against the Alabama defense. Fournette cannot win this game by himself on offense, so the Tigers will need Etling at his absolute best on Saturday.

To beat Alabama, Etling will particularly need to keep the Crimson Tide defense off the scoreboard. The offense is already good enough without help, and Alabama is impossible to defeat if it keeps scoring at least one non-offensive touchdown per game.

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