Daniels is arguably the most improved QB in football from Week 1 to Week 10. Through five games, Daniels was averaging 247.2 total yards per game with nine total touchdowns. In the past three games, Daniels is averaging 366.7 total yards and has been responsible for 12 touchdowns.

College football analyst Kirk Herbstreit listed Daniels as having the best QB performance the last time he took the field, a 45-20 romp over CFP-ranked No. 11 Ole Miss (8-1, 4-1 in SEC).

Alabama has struggled in the past with mobile quarterbacks. As important as Daniels is to the outcome of Saturday’s game, he might not be the most impactful Tiger this weekend.

That’s because LSU (6-2, 4-1 in SEC) only has a chance if it can get stops against an Alabama (7-1, 4-1 in SEC) offense led by Heisman Trophy-winning QB Bryce Young.

LSU defensive end B.J. Ojulari is perhaps the best player on this LSU squad, and he’ll need to be against the Crimson Tide. Ojulari is wreaking havoc on quarterbacks. 

This highlight reel against Mississippi State shows just how much of a force Ojulari – wearing No. 18 — is for the Tigers.

Young is an electrifying quarterback that will hurt defenses if he has the time to make a play. Ojulari’s speed off the edge could help neutralize Alabama’s passing attack.

Head coach Brian Kelly was asked about the emergence of freshman Harold Perkins Jr. earlier this week, another strong pass rusher who can take matters into his own hands. Earlier in the season, Kelly struggled with getting both Perkins Jr. and Ojulari on the field.

“We figured it out. We’re not the smartest group, but we got together and said … let’s figure out how to get … our best 11 on the field,” said Kelly.

LSU is hitting its stride at the right time and appears to have figured things out on both sides of the football. If LSU is to win on Saturday, Daniels and Ojulari will be the two biggest reasons why. 

The Tigers appear to have the keys to open a pathway to victory. Nick Saban and Alabama need to switch the locks.