Desmond Howard explains why LSU QB Jayden Daniels is key to Alabama upset

Desmond Howard has one player in mind when he thinks of the possibility of LSU upsetting Alabama on Saturday.

The famed college football rivalry returns this weekend, and the Tigers will be looking for consecutive wins over the Crimson Tide. Whoever wins on Saturday will have a leg up in the race to the SEC Championship Game, and Howard believes it all hinges on LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Daniels led the Tigers to a win in Baton Rouge in 2022, and he’s currently one of the favorites for the Heisman this season. Ahead of the SEC showdown, Howard joined ESPN’s Get Up, where he explained the weight on Daniels’ shoulders entering the clash.

“I was at Alabama’s practice yesterday and when you ask the defensive coaches what’s the key to stopping this LSU offense, it’s Jayden Daniels. And he’s playing at a Heisman-caliber level right now. He’s accounted for 30 touchdowns on the season, 25 through the air, five on the ground, and only three interceptions. He keeps the offense ahead of the chains, he’s just a magnificent player,” Howard delineated. “Don’t forget, last year in Baton Rouge, when Brian Kelly went for two, Jayden Daniels was his quarterback. So they have a tremendous amount of confidence in Jayden Daniels, the passing game with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. So, the [Alabama] defense is going to have to try to limit the explosives, but more importantly, keep Jayden Daniels in the pocket.

“Once he breaks contain, now he has two options: either he can run or he keeps his eyes down the field and he can pass the ball. He’s a quarterback right now that’s playing at a Heisman-type level, and I’m just amazed by it. Because last year he was playing well, but this year he’s ascended. And, man, I tell you what, with two losses on his record, for people to talk about him in the Heisman conversation, this kid is getting it done.”

Alas, both LSU and Alabama aren’t the world-beaters many expected in 2023, but the two legendary programs have the chance to set their seasons straight with a win on Saturday. It would catapult them firmly into the College Football Playoff conversation, and be one of the bigger victories of the entire season.

Time will tell if Jayden Daniels can get it done, but Desmond Howard and many others will be keeping an eye on how he performs in Week 10 against Alabama.