Saban will use LSU’s top standing as motivation

There is no doubt about it.

Based on results and strength of schedule, LSU and Ohio State are the two best teams in the country to date.

Of course, Alabama has not played LSU yet.

That will change the strength of schedule for both teams.

Various power rankings have LSU and Ohio State ahead of everyone else.

To date, Ohio State, based on strength of schedule, has played the toughest opponents. The Buckeyes have beaten a pair of Top 25 teams in Cincinnati and Wisconsin.

The Tigers have three wins over Top 10 teams in Texas, Florida and Auburn.

To me, it is an easy call.

Unbeaten LSU has defeated the best opponents. The Tigers deserve to be No. 1.

With Oklahoma losing over the weekend, the possibility of two SEC teams making the national championship playoff increased dramatically.

A one-loss LSU, Alabama, Florida or Georgia could very well be in that final mix with an unbeaten SEC champion. Two SEC teams with one loss could make it as well.

Penn State and Ohio State still play each other. One will take a loss.

Clemson figures to get through its regular season unscathed with its light schedule. Of course, Alabama’s has been light as well.

Oregon kept its slim hopes alive with a win over Washington State.

LSU showed resilience and toughness in its win over Auburn.

The War Eagles were determined. They came in with a good game plan and got extremely physical with LSU.

They delivered a slew of big shots on Joe Burrow, one of which was cheap.

Burrow just got up, patted his antagonist on the back and pushed forward. He was tough. He was resilient. He was brilliant. He is the real deal but you knew that already.

While Burrow was tremendous against Florida, he might have been at his best against Auburn.

He overcame a pair of scoring opportunities which got away when LSU passed on field goals and got nothing. He overcame an interception. He overcame getting rocked consistently.

LSU overcame a lost fumble on a punt return which gave Auburn seven points. You will not survive in many games doing that against a Top 10 team.

The Tigers did because they are very good, tough and resilient.

It was the first time LSU did not win pretty, the first time its offense did not score a ton of points.

The defense was good enough.

Now, the defense will have to be better in Tuscaloosa. So will the offense.

Being No. 1 is great.

It is terrific for recognition. You can utilize it in recruiting. LSU landed a plum recruit in the last week and it will be a selling point over the next week or so.

It is fantastic for fans, who relish the numbers game.

The master craftsman and motivator will use it to sell his team on how LSU, which he has beaten eight straight times, will openly mention the lack of respect the Crimson Tide is getting while publicly praising LSU and how good the Tigers are.

In those eight losses, LSU has scored a grand total of 73 points, an average of 9.1 per contest. Alabama has pitched three shutouts in those nine games. Saban will point out to his team how Alabama has dominated the series to the tune of 53-25-5 and wonder how LSU can be ranked ahead of his team.

Alabama figures to be favored at home. The big question will be the health of Tua Tagovailoa. Will he play? If so, how effective will he be?

Injuries are part of the game. LSU would like nothing better than to face a healthy Tagovailoa and beat the Crimson Tide at their best.

With Burrow at the helm, with Terrace Marshall back, with Michael Divinity back and, with hopefully a healthy secondary which would include Grant Delpit and Derek Stingley Jr., the Tigers will need to be and may be at their best.

Alabama will see a different LSU offense than it has seen at any point in the rivalry. Will the Tigers be able to throw it (and run it) against Alabama the way it has against others?

With regard to the potential outcome, Alabama will be innocent until proven guilty against LSU. The Crimson Tide have earned that respect and the benefit of the doubt. LSU will be guilty until proven innocent against Alabama. The Tigers must earn that respect to erase the doubt.

In the meantime, enjoy the No. 1 ranking before we enjoy what is hopefully the best game of the year on Nov. 9.