There’s not too much to add to what has already been written in the newspapers and analyzed on ESPN. I’ll give the matchups and whom I think has the edge.
Quarterback: LSU. Jefferson can do more than McCarron. Not convinced McCarron can do much of anything against LSU secondary. Could check down to Trent in screen game which would be effective. Also, tight end Brad Smelley could be a weapon for Tide. But as far as throwing downfield, don’t think A.J. can have much success doing that. He’s risking Mathieu, Claiborne and others picking him off. Jefferson gives LSU another weapon running the ball and he can throw it enough to keep the Tide from stacking the line every play.

Running back: I’ll give Trent and Eddie a slight advantage over LSU’s four. Trent could be the difference maker for the Tide. If he can run for 150 yards and score once or twice I like the Tide’s chances. Eddie could help, too. Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard are excellent backs, too, but Tide gets slight edge.

Wide receivers: I give LSU the slight edge in this category because Rueben Randle is a deep threat and can make big plays. So can Russell Shepard and Shepard can break it on the reverses. Marquis Maze is a weapon in the return game and is a good receiver who can go get it. But he’s short and the LSU secondary can keep up with him speed wise. Dareus Hanks can be a factor, too. But, overall, like the explosiveness of LSU better.

Offensive line: Alabama more heralded group and I guess I give them a slight edge, but this LSU line is very underrated and can really run block. Think both dlines will not be huge factors tonight if the olines play the way they’re capable of playing. I’ll give ‘Bama a slight edge.

Defensive lines: This is really a wash. Nick Gentry has done an excellent job at tackle for Tide and Damion Square and Jesse Williams are good players, also. LSU’s guys are underrated. Barkevious Mingo, their defensive end, is a very good player. Don’t see either side with an edge there.

Linebackers: Alabama. Best linebackers in the country. Dont’a and Courtney are first round picks; probably top 15. LSU’s ‘backers pretty good, just not dominant like ‘Bama’s.

Secondary: LSU. Like the lbs for Alabama, Claiborne will be a top 10 pick in April and Mathieu will be a top five in 2013. Reid is a great player as well. ‘Bama’s dbs are good, but not as good as Bengal Tigers in the secondary. ‘Bama’s secondary is banged up, too.

Kicking game: LSU. Brad Wing, the punter, and Drew Alleman, the kicker, are difference makers. Cody Mandell is a good punter, but don’t trust Cade Foster to make the longer field goals when they count.

Return game: LSU. Mathieu is the best in the country. Maze is terrific, but not sure about hid ankle. Claiborne is good at returning kickoffs. So is Trent, though, when he does it.

Final Analysis: I think it comes down to the LSU secondary making plays in the Alabama passing game. They are the best secondary in recent memory in college football. So if the Bayou Bengals stack the line to stop Richardson and McCarron has to throw, the LSU dbs will pick off one or two passes and that could be the difference. I think Jefferson does more than McCarron and McCarron makes a mistake or two. An Alleman field goal helps the LSU cause as well.

LSU 17, Alabama 14 

(A.J. McCarron will be tested severely by the Honey Badger and his secondary mates.)