LSU has one of the best offensive line units in college football this season. I think everyone can agree with that. The Tigers have surrendered just four sacks in eight games this season.
However, there is one spot that Alabama’s defense can exploit along the Tigers offensive line.
LSU starting left guard Garrett Dellinger suffered a high ankle sprain against Texas A&M. As a result, he was required to have tightrope surgery which ended his season. His replacement will be redshirt freshman Paul Mubenga.
Mubenga has played in five games for the Tigers over the course of his first two seasons in Baton Rouge. The native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has played five years of American football. He will make his first college start against Alabama this weekend.
Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack could look to take advantage of Mubenga’s lack of experience. Alabama’s defensive line is littered with more experienced defensive linemen like graduate senior Tim Smith Jr., redshirt senior Jah-Marien Latham, redshirt junior Tim Keenan III, and redshirt sophomore Damon Payne Jr. That could help Alabama close the gap up front. Outside of Mubenga, LSU’s offensive line has a lot of experience and two projected first-round draft picks at the tackle spots.
Alabama’s defensive front will need to be up for a four-quarter fight in the trenches. Things will not come easy, but Alabama must be able to make things difficult for LSU’s offense to operate and execute the gameplan.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
