NCAA Football BETTING PREVIEW - Alabama Crimson Tide @ LSU Tigers

NCAA Football

2026-11-07 - Alabama Crimson Tide at LSU Tigers

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

Alabama Crimson Tide @ LSU Tigers
United States : College Football Week 10
Saturday 7th November 2026 - Scheduled 3:30pm EST
8:30pm (British Time)

---

Preview

The SEC has moved to a nine game Conference schedule and that meant putting teams together who could play 'rivalry games' every year over the next few seasons.

To the surprise of many, the Alabama Crimson Tide (6-2) and LSU Tigers (6-2) were not paired together and the annual meeting that has been played every year since 1964 will not take place in 2027.

That does mean there is more focus on this game in 2026, which is played after both teams had a Bye Week, and the Crimson Tide have a 4-2 record in the SEC, while the Tigers are 3-2. There is plenty on the line with both teams Ranked inside the top 14, but also very much aware that another defeat is going to be very difficult to overcome in their bid to reach the College Football Playoff having already suffered a couple of defeats.

Out of the two teams, the LSU Tigers may feel they have been involved in more competitive defeats and Head Coach Lane Kiffin has to be confident with what his team have shown on both sides of the ball, despite the record.

Both teams will know that the Line of Scrimmage is all important having both struggled to run the ball as expected.

The fact is that the Crimson Tide and Tigers are going to be facing Defensive Lines that will believe they have the edge and all of that points to this game coming down to which of the Quarter Backs has been prepared well enough to help their team win.

You have to give Sam Leavitt the edge over Keelon Russell and that is where the home team can do what is needed to win and, potentially, cover.

Keelon Russell has been playing well enough, but a Quarter Back can only be as good as the Offensive Line allows and there is little doubt that the pass rush pressure has managed to collapse the pocket. This has seen Russell hit often and that has led to mistakes in the passing game, which could be crucial in a game where both Offensive units may not have the consistency, but who could benefit from field position and extra possessions.

The Crimson Tide Offensive Line is going to be under immense pressure to keep the LSU pass rush from out of the backfield and it is going to be difficult for Alabama to move the ball in this big SEC game.

Things feel very different on the other side of the ball where Sam Leavitt may be given a bit more time, even in third and long spots, and that will give the LSU Quarter Back an opportunity to make the plays that are needed. Sam Leavitt has almost 2200 passing yards and has 17 Touchdown passes, but the 8 Interceptions have been the issue, but the Quarter Back has 7 Touchdown passes without a single Interception in the last couple of games since the upset loss to the Kentucky Wildcats.

Respect has to be given to this Crimson Tide Secondary who have been able to make big plays against the pass, but LSU have got to be confident that their experienced Quarter Back can do what is necessary to help his team earn the edge.

It is the Crimson Tide who have won the last three in the series, but the LSU Tigers look ready to turn the tables in front of the home fans.

Prediction

This is a pivotal game in the SEC as a long rivalry is played for the last time on an annual basis.

The home team can do enough to win and cover.

The Pick :

LSU Tigers 24-14 Alabama Crimson Tide

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back LSU Tigers - 6 Points at -113 with Bookmaker.eu

Canadian Customers Can Now Play with Bet365)