Former Alabama quarterback and three-time National Champion AJ McCarron feels the Alabama vs. LSU game could be decided by which team’s quarterbacks play the best.
“I think it comes down to quarterback play, who takes care of the football the best and who can create some explosive pass plays,” McCarron said on “The Dynasty” podcast. “I think it favors Alabama. I think Keelon’s so much more talented than Sam Levitt. And I think Sam’s a one-read guy, and then he’s just running around trying to make things happen. If we can find a way to contain him and keep him in the pocket to where it’s almost creating, like, a wall effect that’s just around him. It’s not always having to get to him. It’s really creating a wall and then kind of staying in those spots to where you might keep a backer as a spy, and that backer’s got to play well, but keep him in the pocket and then make him make throws on a consistent basis to beat you. And don’t allow him to get outside the pocket and escape and create things. I think that’s the key to this game.”
If Alabama were to spy Leavitt, Xavier Griffin could likely get that assignment. The freshman is a versatile linebacker who excels at playing in space and making plays while rushing from the edge.
Alabama’s Defensive Coordinator Kane Wommack discussed the importance of putting pressure on Leavitt on Monday.
“You got to find creative ways to get to the quarterback, create TFL’s.” Wommack said. “You have to find ways to put pressure on the offensive line and quarterback. Some of those are RPO driven, some of those are passing game driven. We’ve put pressure on people with RPO’s, just the amount of takeaways we’ve been able to get. You got to be able to create enough doubt in their mind and be able to capitalize. And so far, we have found ways to capitalize and create takeaways off the RPO’s. And pressure is a piece of that as well, forcing a quarterback to make a tough decision. Their quarterback, obviously he’s had some throws that he probably would want back. But he’s also very, very dynamic, I’m impressed with his decision making in the quick moving RPO world. I knew he was a talented quarterback, but watching him right now, his ball delivery… at a really, really high level.”
Alabama will look to slow down Leavitt and the LSU offense on Saturday in Baton Rouge.
