TWD Saturday Sports Thread For 11/5/11: SEC Game of the Year- LSU/Alabama

Photo from Getty Images' Streeter Lecka

It's not the "Game of the Century." And it really shouldn't be the game of the year if Oklahoma hadn't goofed badly against Texas Tech at home.

Nevertheless, it is always special when #1 and #2 play each other during the season and are from the same conference. And with CBS/ESPN hype to go along with it, even the biggest cantankerous critic of the SEC being annoyingly thrown into our faces will have to acknowledge its massiveness.

The game really comes down to whether Jarett Lee (and/or Jordan Jefferson) will outplay A.J. McCarron, or viceversa. McCarron has enjoyed tremendous protection this year from that terrific line of Alabama, and it will be telling if he will enjoy that same time in the pocket this year to keep his 67% completion number high.

Both teams will look to find some way to establish the run against these formidable defenses. But I just think the growth of Lee, a quarterback who not only resists making awful decisions like he use to, as a guy who can win games with key throws will be the difference to LSU securing the victory.

Especially when Randall is a superior wide receiver who has a better chance at getting open than Maze does tonight, as both locked down secondaries will be ominous as usual.