John Parker Wilson was the first quarterback in the Nick Saban era at Alabama to defeat LSU.
He took the Crimson Tide on the road to Tiger Stadium in 2008 for Saban’s first matchup against his former program in Death Valley since he last coached there in 2004. The crowd was very intense, but Saban knew he had the team for the Tide that matched up well with LSU. Wilson did not have a touchdown pass, but he rushed for two scores — including a game-winning quarterback sneak for a touchdown in overtime. Alabama earned a 27-21 victory and secured an SEC West crown.
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It has been 14 years since that moment, but Wilson remains a fixture of Alabama football as he does broadcasting with the Crimson Tide Sports Network. The former Tide quarterback was on Friday’s edition of Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic in the Morning via WJOX 94.5 FM in Birmingham, Ala. Wilson provided the biggest key for Alabama to defeat LSU on the road.
He said it comes down to how the Tide attacks Tigers’ quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
“If they could limit Jayden Daniels’ running ability in the running game, which is basically most of their rushing attack. He is the team leader in rushing,” Wilson said about how Alabama can defeat LSU. “Take away that running game from Jayden Daniels and make him just drop back and throw the ball.”
Daniels, a transfer from Arizona State, has looked better each week for the Tigers.
He totaled six rushing touchdowns combined in wins over Florida and Ole Miss, including a 100+ yard rushing performance (121) against the Rebels in Baton Rouge, La. Daniels has 524 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He has 12 passing touchdowns to one interception, but the emergence of LSU’s rushing attack has taken the pressure off him. Alabama must negate Daniels’ option to run, limit LSU’s running backs from having success, and force Daniels to be a perfect passer against pressure and the Crimson Tide’s secondary. If Alabama’s defensive front can make Daniels uncomfortable, it has an opportunity to create turnovers.
Coach Saban’s defense struggled against Hendon Hooker of Tennessee. We will see how it fares against Daniels.
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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.
