LSU vs. Alabama inside the numbers: 5 stats you need to know

It’s No. 1 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama in the Game of the Century so let’s go inside the numbers to identify which stats and numbers you need to know.

There are plenty of storylines to be discussed going into the titanic matchup that could very well be the decider for the SEC Championship already. But there are plenty of stats that you should know heading into this week’s game.

1. Passing offense

If you have paid any attention at all to college football this season, you would know that these two teams have the two best quarterbacks in college football. So it’s no surprise that between Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa, both the Crimson Tide and the Tigers rank in the top five in passing yards per game.

Tagovailoa’s numbers have dropped off Burrow’s pace a bit since his injury, but both quarterbacks have already thrown for over 2,000 yards this season, with Burrow second in the nation with 2,805.

As you would imagine LSU is, therefore, No. 2 in the country in passing offense, but for Alabama, they are still No. 4 despite Tua ranking No. 26 in the country individually.

What does that say about this Crimson Tide team? What is says is that no matter who is behind center, this is going to be a high passing offense. So even if Tua’s ankle continues to bother him throughout the game and he needs to be replaced by backup Mac Jones, we should be in for a treat.

2. Pass defense

Now if you talk about how good these two team’s passing offenses are, you obviously have to revert back to analyzing how well they can stop the pass. For these two teams, there is a team with a clear advantage in that category.

Alabama right now sits at No. 15 in the country, only giving up an average of 180 passing yards per game. LSU, on the other hand, has warranted more yards via the pass giving up an average of 215 per game, good for No. 50 in the nation.

There are really going to be two things in this game that will probably determine the outcome. The first will be who can keep their quarterback upright and give him time to pick away at the defense, and the second will be which secondary can come up with the biggest plays.

By the statistics, Alabama should be the team making more of those big plays, but there is more that factors into this. Who has Alabama actually went up against this season?

3. Strength of schedule

When you take a look at Alabama’s schedule so far this season, it’s easy to see that there isn’t a ranked team in sight. LSU’s schedule, on the other hand, is a different story. They have played three teams that are tougher than anyone Alabama has seen this season.

Texas, Florida, and Auburn are all teams that LSU has had to defeat this season, and while Texas might not have been ranked by the committee this past Tuesday, it’s hard to say that going against Sam Ehlinger isn’t a challenge. Especially when talking about defending the pass.

To put a number to it, according to ESPN, LSU’s strength of schedule is No. 31 in the country where Alabama is No. 53. A clear advantage in the way of the Tigers.

Now to say that LSU is going to win this game because they have played a tougher schedule would be ludicrous. Alabama has talent oozing out of every crevice of that team, the teams that they have scheduled can’t change that. But LSU being battle-tested, and have had to play in some close games this season should surely give them an advantage in this one.

4. Turnover margin

Without looking at a game, there are two things that you can normally say will go a long way in deciding a game. The battle in the trenches and who can take care of the ball the most. That doesn’t change here either as with as close as this game should be, a key turnover here and there could be the thing that changes the game.

Taking care of the ball is a lot of times a reflection of the coach. It’s something that is preached every day at practice, sometimes turnovers can be accidents, but in most cases, they can be avoided.

Right now Alabama has the best turnover margin in the country at +1.7. LSU is No. 22 with +0.7. This game is going to be all about who can keep the ball out of the opposing team’s hand, and the best way to do that is to make sure you keep the ball in your own hands. Whoever does the better job of that, especially late will win this game.

5. Eight straight losses

As we all know in sports, there are some things that go without explanation. The fact that the last time the LSU defeated Alabama was in 2011 is one of those things.

We all remember that game, it was tabbed the game of the century with No. 1 LSU going up against No. 2 Alabama. LSU came out with a 9-6 victory over the Crimson Tide but the two would meet again in the BCS National Championship game. Alabama would enact its revenge and start an eight-game winning streak that has still yet to be broken.

It’s not to say that LSU hasn’t had great teams in Baton Rouge over that time period. But it’s more the fact that Alabama has been almost unstoppable in that time period.

That being said, this is probably the best team that LSU has ever had since that 2011 team that went to the National Championship. Not to mention that they are led by the best quarterback to ever put on a LSU uniform. If there is any team that can break the streak, it’s this one.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.