You are a week early. That will be next weekend. I agree with your assessment for the game. Like everyone else, LSU does not have a great record historically against Alabama. There are; however, very few blow outs. The games are generally close. For about the last decade, each team has scheduled their bye week before the game. The defense will have to keep it close and the offense will have to find ways to score TDs in the red zone and not rely on Cole Tracy to score most of their points in the kicking game.
Coach Orgeron will actually be in my back yard (almost literally) in Lake Charles tonight watching his son, Cody, start his first game at QB for McNeese St. Both of his sons play there. His son, Parker, is a wide receiver. Coach O was a position coach there early in his career. That is usually where I am on Saturday nights, for the last 40+ years. Their stadium is in my back yard. From my back door to my seats in 7 minutes by foot.

I enjoy watching the FCS level also and the way they have their 16 team playoff at the end of the season. Well, I used to, when McNeese was a regular participant. Maybe this year.