The stakes couldn’t be higher as two SEC powerhouses clash in a matchup that could determine their College Football Playoff fates. ESPN’s iconic pregame show “College GameDay” will be there to capture all the excitement, broadcasting live from The Quad at LSU in Baton Rouge.
No. 11 Alabama vs. No. 14 LSU: A Season-Defining Showdown
On Saturday, November 9th, the 11th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will face off against the 14th-ranked LSU Tigers in a game that could make or break their seasons. Both teams enter Week 11 with identical 6-2 records, knowing that a loss would effectively end their chances of making the playoffs.
For Alabama, this will be their first trip to Death Valley since the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. Can they prove they are still an elite program without him at the helm? LSU, meanwhile, is eager to re-establish themselves as a national title contender after several years of relative mediocrity.
“College GameDay” Returns to The Quad
To hype up this monumental matchup, “College GameDay” will emanate from The Quad at LSU, marking the 14th time the Tigers have hosted the popular pregame show. That’s the fourth-most of any school, trailing only Ohio State (23), Alabama (19) and Michigan (15).
LSU fans always bring incredible energy when we come to Baton Rouge. With so much on the line in this game, the atmosphere is going to be absolutely electric.
– Rece Davis, “College GameDay” host
The “GameDay” crew, led by Davis and featuring Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and others, will preview the Alabama-LSU tilt and break down all the other big matchups from around the country. The show airs on ESPN and ESPNU from 9 a.m. to noon ET, with the game itself kicking off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Crimson Tide, Tigers Hope to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
Entering this SEC West showdown, both teams know their margin for error is slim to none. Alabama already has conference losses to Georgia and Texas A&M, while LSU fell to Florida and Ole Miss earlier in the year. A third defeat would be the final nail in the coffin for either squad’s playoff aspirations.
On paper, these teams match up very evenly:
| Team | Points Per Game | Points Allowed | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards |
| Alabama | 38.6 | 17.4 | 289.7 | 198.3 |
| LSU | 36.8 | 21.6 | 312.9 | 186.5 |
It may come down to which team can win the battle in the trenches and establish the run to set up their passing attack. Both defenses have star power that can wreck a game, so protecting the quarterback will be critical.
Emotions will also run high as this is the first Alabama-LSU contest since Saban’s departure. The 71-year-old coach, who won a national title with LSU in 2003 before capturing six more championships with the Tide, cast a long shadow over this rivalry. How his former teams fare without him will be one of the fascinating subplots to watch.
The Road Ahead for the Winner and Loser
A win would put the Tide or Tigers in prime position for a New Year’s Six bowl, if not a backdoor playoff spot should chaos reign over the next few weeks. The loser will have to regroup quickly, as both teams still have dates with ranked opponents looming:
- Alabama faces No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 17 Auburn to end the regular season
- LSU has a tough road game at No. 5 Texas A&M and closes at home vs. surging Arkansas
Still, the victor in Baton Rouge will be able to breathe a little easier, knowing their championship goals remain intact for another week. The loser may be relegated to playing spoiler against their other ranked foes.
Can the Tigers Defend Their Turf?
LSU has won five straight over the Tide in Death Valley, a place that’s been a house of horrors for even Saban’s best Alabama teams. The Tigers faithful will be out in force, as a “GameDay” visit always amps up the intensity even more.
If you can’t make it to Baton Rouge or watch “GameDay” in person, there are still plenty of ways to get in on the action. The show is available on:
- TV: ESPN and ESPNU beginning at 9 a.m. ET
- Radio: ESPN Radio and on SiriusXM (channel 81)
- Streaming: ESPN App with a cable/satellite subscription or live TV streaming service login
- Social media: Follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for behind-the-scenes content, analysis and more
No matter how you experience it, Alabama-LSU with “College GameDay” on hand promises to be appointment viewing. The winner keeps their playoff hopes alive, while the loser will have to go back to the drawing board. In a season where no team has separated itself from the pack, this game could be the one we point to as the defining moment for either the Tide or Tigers’ campaign.
Buckle up, because it’s going to be a wild ride in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. “College GameDay” will set the scene, and then two of the sport’s heavyweights will trade blows for 60 minutes with everything on the line. The college football world will be watching – and you won’t want to miss a second of the action.
