TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It's finally game day, which gives us one more chance to break down the Alabama-LSU game with the help of the Stats & Information and Next Level folks at ESPN:
Alabama running back Trent Richardson has gained 513 of his 989 yards (51.9 percent) after contact this season. Richardson has been hard to bring down, breaking a 10-yard run on 16.1 percent (24/149) of his rushes. LSU gives up a 10-yard run on 10.2 percent of its opponents’ carries (T-24th lowest in FBS).
Richardson has three touchdown runs of 50 yards or longer this season, tied for the most in FBS. Alabama as a team has five such runs, which is also tied for the most in FBS along with Oregon.
Since the start of the 2010 season, Alabama’s SEC opponents have completed 31.7 percent (14-44) of their throws of 20 yards or longer. In the Tide’s three losses during that stretch, that number jumps to 85.7 percent, including four touchdowns and no interceptions.
LSU has completed 40 percent of its throws of 20-plus yards this season, including four touchdowns and no interceptions. The Tigers had season-highs on these throws in their last game against Auburn in completions (4) and touchdowns (2).
Alabama has only allowed 14 plays of 20 yards or longer this season, fewest in FBS. The Tide are also one of two FBS teams to only allow one run of 20-plus yards this season. Utah State is the other. LSU has allowed 19 plays of 20 yards or longer, tied for third with four other teams. LSU has played in three games this season where it hasn't allowed any plays of 20 yards or longer.
In 215 attempts this season, Alabama has only allowed nine rushes of 10 yards or longer (4.2 percent). That is the fewest such rushes and the lowest percentage allowed in FBS. Florida State is second with 16 rushes.
LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee has thrown eight of his 13 touchdown passes this season when opponents have sent five or more pass rushers on the play. Lee has spread the ball around when opponents blitz, completing the eight touchdowns to six different receivers.
LSU has held opponents to a completion percentage of 12.8 on throws of 15 yards or longer this season. The Tigers have held every opponent to below 30 percent passing on these throws and they have more interceptions (7) than their opponent does receptions (6).
Alabama has allowed just one fourth-quarter touchdown this season.
In its past 26 home games, Alabama has held its opponents to an average of 7.8 points per game. The Crimson Tide have held their opponents under 10 points in 17 of those 26 games. They're 25-1 during that span.
The team leading at halftime has won only two of the past eight games in this series. Last season, Alabama led 7-3 at the break, but LSU put up 21 second-half points for a 24-21 win in Baton Rouge.
Alabama and LSU have combined for just three turnovers against FBS-AQ conference teams this season. The Crimson Tide have one and the Tigers two.
Alabama hasn’t allowed an opponent to score more than 14 points in any game this season, and LSU has allowed 10 or fewer points in five of its eight games.
The Crimson Tide's starting offensive line and the Tigers' starting defensive line average the same height (6'4). However, Alabama's offensive line outweighs LSU's front four by nearly 40 pounds per man. Alabama averages 312.6 pounds across its offensive front. LSU averages 273.3 pounds across its defensive front.