Alabama vs. Louisiana-Monroe Prediction, Game Preview

In 2007, ULM (1-1) went into Alabama (2-1) and pulled off a 21-14 shocker of all-shockers in Nick Saban’s first season at the helm. It’s not exactly revenge time for the Crimson Tide, but they do need to get up off the mat after the rough loss to Ole Miss last week and with a trip to Georgia to follow. Check out the Alabama vs. Louisiana-Monroe prediction and preview.

Alabama vs. Louisiana-Monroe Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 26
Game Time: 4:00 pm
Venue: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Network: SEC Network

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Why You Need To Care

It’s not panic time yet for Alabama. This is still the most talented team in the SEC – maybe the country – and it’s not going to go -5 in turnover margin in any game ever again under Saban. The Crimson Tide will still be favored in every game the rest of the way, but it needs to settle down its quarterback situation, needs to be more efficient through the air, and needs to become more explosive. This is the game to try to make everything click again.

ULM got rolled by Georgia 51-14, making this a measuring stick moment for Alabama before going to Athens next week. The passing game is solid and the defense was great against Nicholls State, but it’s paycheck time before starting out the Sun Belt season next week against Georgia Southern and it’s loaded ground attack.

Why ULM Will Win

The passing game has been terrific through the first two games. Garrett Smith has stepped in as a freshman and has done a wonderful job, completing 79% of his passes for 576 yards and five scores. Yeah, he lit up Nicholls State for 370 yards and three scores – no big whoop – but he also connected on 23-of-29 passes (79%) for 206 yards and two scores against Georgia. It’s only been two games, but he’s just strong enough so far as a pass to potentially give the Alabama defense problems. Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly and Wisconsin’s Joel Stave were able to throw well – Smith should have a nice afternoon.

Why Alabama Will Win

Here comes the thump. ULM held up reasonably well against Georgia, but it ended up allowing over six yards per carry in the blowout. Combine the mediocre run defense, the lack of a running game against a good D, and the bad special teams so far, and it’s going to be next to impossible for the Warhawks to have the field position advantage at any time.

Player Who Matters

It’s not that the Alabama quarterback situation was all that bad against Ole Miss, it’s that the quarterbacks weren’t put in the best positions. The Crimson Tide ran 42 times, but they should’ve run more, and they should’ve come up with more short to midrange passes without trying bomb away deep – especially in key moments. Cooper Bateman got the start and completed 11-of-14 passes for 87 yards and a pick, but when panic time set in, Jake Coker entered the game and had to start chucking. He completed just 21-of-44 passes, but he got the Tide in a position to go on a possible game-winning drive – before he got picked off. The coaching staff has to pick a lane, and this is the game to potentially do it.

What’s Going To Happen?

Alabama has a harder time than it wants to for a little while against the ULM passing game, and then comes reality.