#1 Alabama Crimson Tide at #5 LSU Tigers Preview

Not twelve months ago, the whole world saw one SEC team totally dismantle another on the biggest stage in all of college football.

On Saturday, November 3rd, Alabama will try to repeat the results of that historic night while LSU has a chance at redemption. The score was 21-0 as Alabama embarrassed LSU before 78,000+ fans. Having to recruit new talent in many of the same markets, LSU literally cannot afford to lose this game. In the South, SEC football is not just a game, it is a way of life, and should LSU get beat again, Les Miles is going to have a tough sell to the high school kid that is considering both schools. With a record of 7-1, a loss will drop them out of contention for the SEC West and will seal a spot in the SEC Championship game for Alabama. 

The match-ups between these two SEC West rivals have become legendary over the past couple of years. Always featuring two stout defenses, the games never lack drama or good hard-nosed football. The setting will be a tough one for Alabama as they travel to Baton Rouge, which is historically a very tough place to play. Add in just over 92,000 rabid Tiger fans, and it can be a pretty intimidating place to play for any squad...except...Alabama... Led by head coach Nick Saban and his revolving cast of NFL prospects, you can certainly expect that the Crimson Tide will be ready to play. While Alabama lacks the tough wins that they typically have in their holster, they have beaten everyone that has been placed in front of them. With a record of 8-0, don't expect much to be different in this game. While LSU is a tough adversary, the middle of their defense is soft and they lack the ability to compete offensively against the Alabama defense (which hasn't given up more than 14 points since November, 19th, 2011). Don't look for the outcome to be much different in this game as the Tide will roll again, to a tune of 18-7. (LINE Alabama covers -9)

- The Sports Messiah

#4 Oregon Ducks at #17 USC Trojans Preview

Oregon is going to rely heavily on their running game this Saturday.

This Saturday the #4 Oregon Ducks travel to Los Angeles, California, to take on the #17 USC Trojans. This is a big hyped game (and rightfully so). Both teams have phenomenal offenses, and decent defenses.

Of course the Trojans are going to be led by their Heisman hopeful quarterback Matt Barkley, who has thrown for 2,266 yards this season, with 25 touchdowns thrown and only 8 interceptions. Two of his favorite targets, Marqise Lee and Robert Woods will be looking to assist in taking down the number four ranked Ducks.

Oregon has something else in mind however.

Oregon isn't as strong at the pass as USC. USC is ranked 23rd in the nation for passing, while Oregon is ranked 84th. No surprise, USC is led by senior Matt Barkley, while Oregon is led by freshman Marcus Mariota, who has thrown for over 1,400 yards, 18 touchdowns and only five picks.

Another big key of this game will be the rushing game. Oregon is very strong at rushing while USC has struggled in that area. Oregon is ranked 3rd in rushing yards while USC is ranked 75th. Oregon's lead running back is Kenjon Barner, who has rushed for over 900 yards, and 14 touchdowns. De'Anthony Thomas is another back Oregon has, who has rushed for nearly 500 yards and 7 touchdowns. This duo is going to look to have a huge game against USC's 25th ranked defense, and lead the Ducks to victory.

Meanwhile, USC's running back, Silas Redd, has rushed for 640 yards, and hit pay dirt 7 times. Still not bad stats, but nowhere near Oregon's HB duo.

This game looks like it's going to be quite a good one. Oregon is phenomenal at the run, while USC does very well at the pass. Their defenses are ranked 24th and 25th in the nation. My gut says it'll be a high scoring game, but their defenses are only allowing about 19 points a game.

Last years game began looking like a blowout. Oregon fought back within three, and lost the game 38-35. Oregon was ranked #4 at that time, while USC was unranked.

I know both teams are going to play hard for this victory. Oregon is undefeated, while USC has already tasted defeat twice this year, once to Stanford and last week to Arizona. Lane Kiffin is going to have his Trojans ready to put a whooping on the Ducks in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, of course Chip Kelly is going to have other plans.

The game kicks off at 7:00 eastern time, and definitely looks to be quite a back and forth game. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see a very high scoring affair, and then again, wouldn't be too shocked to see these two defenses hold the other offense in check. I'm looking forward to a barn-burner this Saturday night. It will definitely be worth checking out.

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle