College Fantasy Football: LSU-Alabama defense matchup
Top-ranked LSU visits No. 2 Alabama in a huge SEC showdown and the best college football matchup so far this season on Saturday afternoon. Here is a fantasy breakdown of the two defenses.
MORE LSU-ALABAMA: Fantasy breakdown of QB matchup | Fantasy RB matchup | Fantasy WR matchup | Fantasy TE matchup | Prospects predict outcome | Which team has better recruiting moving forward? | TigersDetails.com | BamaInsider.com
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ALABAMA DEFENSE
For fantasy purposes, the Crimson Tide have the best defense in the SEC and they’re seventh nationally behind only Wisconsin, Ohio State, Oregon, Clemson, Utah and Illinois.
Alabama has recorded 19 sacks, 10 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries and three touchdowns on defense. Points and rushing touchdowns also come at a premium for opponents, as the Crimson Tide allow just 15.2 points per outing and have given up just three rushing scores all season.
LSU’s offense - especially the receivers - should stress Alabama’s defensive backs like no other team so far this year. But by the numbers, the Crimson Tide should make it tough all game on that group.
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LSU DEFENSE
This might be hard to believe, because LSU’s defense has been playing well, but in terms of fantasy points the Tigers just about crack the top 25 nationally.
There are five teams with less than 10 percent of ownership ahead of them in the fantasy rankings: Baylor, Indiana, Pitt, Minnesota and Nebraska.
The Tigers have 20 sacks and nine interceptions this season, but only three fumble recoveries and one touchdown on defense. Teams are only averaging 3 yards per carry, but LSU has given up 13 passing touchdowns, a decent number and excellent if you consider the Tigers have scored 30 times through the air so far.
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FANTASY ADVANTAGE
There is potential for a shootout in Tuscaloosa this weekend because both offenses are so incredibly talented, so it might not be wise from a fantasy perspective to start either defense.
But if it needs to happen, I have to side with Alabama here. The Crimson Tide are just more tested in situations like this, the LSU offense looked just OK against Auburn’s defense and Alabama has had two weeks to prepare for quarterback Joe Burrow & Co.
If it was my fantasy team, I’d find another defense, but if I had to pick to start either Alabama or LSU, roll Tide roll.