Louisiana State coach Les Miles thinks his moribund offense has shown some life recently. It better. Alabama, the Tigers’ opponent this afternoon, has an eye on a national title with a defense that knocks the life out of good offenses.
LSU’s isn’t, unless you want to count the averages of 415.5 yards and 36.5 points in recent wins over a bad Tulane team and an Auburn team that’s lost three of its last four.
Alabama’s defense will be the ultimate test, and it has the ultimate goal. A win today (1:30 p.m., KCNC-4) at home clinches the Southeastern Conference West and sends the third-ranked Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC) to the SEC Championship on Dec. 5 against top-ranked Florida.
The reason is defense. Alabama’s is a Crimson Wall. It’s in the top five nationally in total defense (240.88 yards per game, fourth), rushing defense (64.88, second), pass-efficiency defense (88.81, second) and scoring defense (11.38, fifth).
It has held Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee to no more than one touchdown each and has allowed only three rushing touchdowns all year.
“We’ve all bought into the program,” linebacker Rolando McClain told the Birmingham News this week. “Besides the hard work, it’s like we are a band of brothers out there.”
What’s more, ninth-ranked LSU (7-1, 4-1) has some protection issues. It’s second-to-last in the SEC in sacks allowed with 23, while Alabama’s 23 sacks lead the league. Until the Auburn game, LSU’s offense really struggled and still is only 100th nationally (325.13).
LSU’s 15th-ranked defense must stop Mark Ingram, the nation’s No. 5 rusher (125.5) who can solidify his status as a favorite for the Heisman. He must. Alabama’s one-sided offense is handicapped by Greg McElroy, who didn’t complete a pass longer than 27 yards in October.
Julio Jones, one of the most talented receivers in the country, curiously only averages 2.86 receptions a game.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
Games to watch
Texas A&M (5-3) at Colorado (2-6)
11:30 a.m., Folsom Field, Fox College Sports Central (regional)
Colorado coaches can look at Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson and, with fingers crossed, envision that Buffs QB Tyler Hansen might also make a similar quantum leap as a junior, in 2010. Last year as a sophomore, Johnson, left, ranked ninth among Big 12 QBs in pass efficiency and 10th in passing yards. This season, Johnson leads the conference in total offense (328.9), touchdown throws (20) and interception percentage (three picks in 312 attempts). Hansen has shown some playmaking ability. But CU’s offensive line must give him a chance. It allowed eight sacks to Missouri.
Army (3-5) at Air Force (5-4)
1:30 p.m., Falcon Stadium, CBSCS
The no-name guys, Air Force’s offensive line of center Michael Hampton, guards Peter Lusk and Nick Charles and tackles Ryan Gonzales and Chris Campbell, could put their stamp on the outcome if they can pave the way for the Falcons’ offense. They’re facing one of the toughest defensive fronts they’ve seen this year. Army has allowed eight opponents a total of 932 yards rushing. Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson, left, had his second-best passing day of the season last week against Colorado State: 111 yards and two touchdowns. He might find it easier to go over the Army defense instead of through it.
Colorado State (3-6) at UNLV (3-6)
8 p.m., Sam Boyd Stadium, MTN
UNLV coach Mike Sanford is under immense pressure in his fifth season to get to a bowl. CSU offensive coordinator Greg Peterson is already an apparent casualty of the six-game slide. UNLV doesn’t have the star running back of past years, but the Rebels effectively use a two-quarterback combo in Omar Clayton and wildcat specialist Mike Clausen.UNLV’s undisputed star is wide receiver Ryan Wolfe, left. The Rams’ secondary has been an open invitation for teams to throw the ball, even Air Force. Part of the problem has been re-establishing the pass rush. UNLV’s defense has likewise struggled. Look for a high-scoring game.
No. 25 BYU (6-2) at Wyoming (4-4)
Noon, War Memorial Stadium, MTN
BYU is coming off a bye week after losing at home to TCU 38-7, its first loss in the Mountain West. The Cougars dropped out of the Top 25 but re-entered during an off week. The Cowboys defense has held opponents, which include Texas and Utah, to 23.4 points a game. BYU has the league’s top passer (Max Hall) and top rusher (Harvey Unga), but Wyoming’s defense has five of the top six tacklers in the MWC (led by linebacker Brian Hendricks, left). The Cowboys have committed two turnovers in four home games this season while forcing 12 opponent turnovers.
Sacramento State (3-5) at Northern Colo. (3-6)
Noon, Nottingham Field
The Hornets are coming off a big win against then-No. 21 Northern Arizona, 27-24. Sacramento State has played five ranked teams this season. In UNC’s three wins, the offense has averaged 435.7 yards per game, while in its six losses the team averaged just 276.3 yards per game. WR Alex Thompson currently ranks 10th on the UNC single-season charts with 53 receptions (record is 80 by Vincent Jackson in 2004). After throwing just 10 passes for 20-plus yards in the first seven games, Bears QB Bryan Waggener, left, has thrown eight for more than 20 yards in the past two games.
Players to watch
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
The western Pennsylvania native spurned Penn State about 18 months ago to sign with the Buckeyes to end a hotly contested recruiting race, and Nittany Lions fans haven’t forgotten. 1:30 p.m. ESPN2
Chris Marve, Vanderbilt
The linebacker leads the SEC with 90 tackles and will need a big night to slow down Florida. 5:15 p.m. ESPN2
LaMichael James, Oregon
While there is plenty of focus on when the suspended LeGarrette Blount will return, the Ducks have done just fine with the freshman James, who is averaging 137.6 yards rushing per game in Pac-10 play. 1:30 p.m. FSN
Ricky Stanzi, Iowa
Can the QB maintain his focus after he threw five picks against Indiana? Iowa is a heavy favorite against Northwestern, but turnovers could keep the Wildcats in the game. 10 a.m. ESPN
Today’s games
BIG 12
Central Florida at Texas, 10 a.m.
Kansas at Kansas St., 10:30 a.m.
Texas A&M at Colo., 11:30 a.m.
Baylor at Missouri, noon
Okla. St. at Iowa St., 1:30 p.m.
Oklahoma at Nebraska, 6 p.m.
MOUNTAIN WEST
BYU at Wyoming, noon
Army at Air Force, 1:30 p.m.
TCU at San Diego St., 2 p.m.
New Mexico at Utah, 4 p.m.
Colorado St. at UNLV, 8 p.m.
BIG SKY
Sac. St. at N. Colo., 12:05 p.m.
Mont. St. at Port. St., 2:05 p.m.
Montana at Idaho St., 3:30 p.m.
N. Ariz. at Mississippi, 5:30 p.m.
RMAC
CSU-Pueblo at Adams State, noon
N.M. High. at Colo. Mines, noon
Chadron St. at Western St., 1 p.m.
Neb.-Kearney at Mesa St., 1 p.m.
W. New Mex. at Fort Lewis, 1 p.m.
