Alabama and LSU will kickoff at 2:40 p.m. (CT) this Saturday from Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be televised by CBS Sports.
The Alabama that’s supposed to be “back” meets the Alabama that is still not fully recovered from NCAA scholarship sanctions this week after what Alabama Head Coach Mike Shula said was “three good days” of practice.
“Practice went well. The guys were real enthusiastic. I don’t know if it was the game or the weather,” he said. “We’ve got to get ready to have our best day because we are going to have to be at our best to beat a good LSU football team.”
An extra point of notice Saturday will be given to center Taylor Britt, who assumes the starting position after three-year starter JB Closner’s season was cut short with a broken leg in the first quarter of last week’s game. Shula said a possible return for the bowl game was “doubtful at best.”
“Taylor’s been good, real good,” Shula said. “The offensive line had a good week. We had Antoine Caldwell come back yesterday and had a good week. Justin Moon had his best week of practice this week.”
Caldwell labored off the field following Thursday’s practice, but he is expected to start Saturday. Caldwell had a foot injury that had him out early in the third quarter against Mississippi State.
Alabama has more options at offensive line than it did a year ago, but they are young options.
“We’ve got (true freshman Marlon Davis) backing up at right guard,” Shula said. “We could use him or Mark Sanders as a backup at left guard, but Marlon has worked mostly at right guard. Evan Cardwell will be the backup center.”
Shula also noted the fact that Saturday will be the last day at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Alabama seniors.
“It’s a special game for them. We want them to be at their best since it’s their last game here, but at the same time you don’t want to get caught up in that,” he said.
Junior wide receiver Tyrone Prothro attended practice on Thursday. He watched practice from a golf cart and was also moving around on crutches.
Alabama captains for the LSU game are Croyle (offense), Ryans (defense) and Harper (special teams).