The LSU Tigers will be without their star linebacker Devin White in the first half when they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in two weeks.
As a surprise to many, the LSU Tigers have emerged as the second-best team in the SEC through the first eight weeks of the 2018 NCAA season. LSU entered play on Saturday as the No. 5 team in the nation. After handling the division rival Mississippi State Bulldogs, expect LSU to at the very least maintain their top-five spot heading into their bye.
However, LSU could be in serious trouble heading into their huge rivalry game with the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide in two weeks time. Already up and about to beat Mississippi State convincingly, Tigers star linebacker Devin White was ejected for targeting in the fourth quarter on Saturday night.
This is a huge blow for the LSU defense that will have to go up against the juggernaut Crimson Tide offense led by Heisman Trophy front-runner in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. White is on pace to be an All-American this year, but will have to sit out the first half of LSU’s home bout with Alabama in two weeks.
To this point, Alabama has scored on its first possession in all eight of its victories this season. Yes, LSU will be by far and away the best team Alabama will have faced thus far this season when they meet in two weeks. However, are we sure that the Tigers have the offensive firepower to keep pace with the aerial blitzkrieg orchestrated by the Hawaiian southpaw that is Tagovailoa?
For the last several years, LSU has produced a ton of NFL linebacking talent with the likes of Kwon Alexander, Deion Jones and Duke Riley. White looks to be in that vein of linebacking talent when he does enter the NFL. Holding his own against Alabama in this clash of the titans might have elevated his draft stock tremendously.
Surely, he can still make a difference once he is allowed to play again in the second half of this SEC West rivalry. However, can we trust the LSU offense to be able to play from behind should the Alabama offense have their way with a depleted defense with White being out the first two quarters?
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Look for this to be the most hyped game of the season as we creep closer to Week 10. If anybody can beat Alabama this regular season, it might be LSU. If White was available for all four quarters, this might be a bit easier. Now LSU will be a certain home underdog with its best front-seven player having to watch the first half outside of the field of play.