LSU football score prediction vs. Alabama: Scouting report on showdown in Tuscaloosa

BATON ROUGE — This week is LSU football's biggest game of the regular season.

The No. 14 Tigers (6-2, 4-1 SEC) travel to Tuscaloosa to take on No. 8 Alabama (7-1, 5-0) on Saturday (6:45 p.m., CBS) in a matchup that could determine the SEC West champion.

Here's a score prediction and scouting report for the big game.

Eliminate the big play

Alabama's passing attack has been painfully inconsistent this season. But one of the few things it has done well on a regular basis this year is throwing the ball deep.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe's averaged depth of target this season is 14.3 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. He's completed as many passes of 20 or more yards as he has passes of 10-19 yards and his NFL passer rating on throws of 20 or more yards is 131.8, per PFF.

Milroe's big arm is a matchup issue for an LSU defense that is missing the four cornerbacks it added from the transfer portal and lacking consistent play at safety.

It'll be a long night in Tuscaloosa for LSU if the Tigers' young secondary can't step up to the challenge.

Jayden Daniels will need a clean pocket

Alabama's pass rush is arguably the best unit LSU's offensive line has faced this season.

The Crimson Tide are tied for eighth in the country in sacks with 28. They have 167 quarterback pressures, 66 more than LSU has, according to PFF. Alabama edge rushers Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner lead the way with 33 and 37 quarterback pressures, respectively, per PFF.

LSU's offensive line has been one of the better groups upfront in the country this year. But the units case for the Joe Moore Award may come down to how it performs against this furious Crimson Tide pass rush.

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Player to watch: Terrion Arnold

Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, and the Crimson Tide secondary in general, will play a huge factor in the outcome of Saturday's game.

Arnold missed Alabama's last game against Tennessee while in concussion protocol but has had two weeks to rest since then after the Crimson Tide had their idle week this past weekend.

Assuming he plays, Arnold's ability to breakup up passes will be big in a game featuring LSU star wideouts Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Arnold leads Alabama in pass breakups this season with six, according to PFF.

Score prediction: Alabama 38, LSU 31

Milroe and the Crimson Tide offense put LSU's defense in a bind, punishing the Tigers with deep shots downfield and a consistent rushing attack with top LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo also out of the lineup.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels will keep the Tigers within striking distance. But ultimately, it won't be enough.

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Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football vs. Alabama score prediction, scouting report