With this being the biggest week of the college football regular season, ESPN’s College Football GameDay has chosen to take in the Alabama-LSU matchup.
Both teams will square off on Saturday inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, as CBS Sports will have the call at 2:30 p.m.
In honor of the game, Touchdown Alabama Magazine is doing a series of the top five marquee players for the Crimson Tide against the Tigers.
The fourth most important player is defensive end, Raekwon Davis.
With the potential of having a representative from all 32 National Football League teams inside Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, this is a money game for Davis. A senior from Mississippi, the former five-star had a monster sophomore year (2017) yet he has struggled to recapture the same impact from that season.
Although he is fifth on the team in total tackles (33), Davis has just 1.5 tackles for loss and no sacks in eight games. His counterparts, Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings, are gaining NFL attention and Jennings was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award.
The 6-foot-7, 312-pounder must create a moment for himself this weekend.
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He has been able to give his teammates energy; however, thousands of Crimson Tide fans want him being a menace in attacking Joe Burrow. The Alabama-LSU matchup will feature ESPN’s College GameDay, SEC Nation and possibly an appearance from President Donald Trump.
Seeing as how the College Football Playoff committee will release its first installment of rankings on Tuesday night, a dominant showing from Davis goes a long way in people respecting Alabama’s defense more. While it came alive against Tennessee and Arkansas, everyone has to show out versus the Tigers and it may need to start with Davis on the edge.
Big players thrive in big games.
It is moments like these that players dream of, upon making a commitment in choosing and an opportunity for Davis is about to open. If he can play up to his full potential, it will be a rough night for Burrow and the Tigers offense.
The Tide wants the 2017 version of Davis, but will he provide it? This weekend will tell the story.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
