LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier represents one of the top threats behind center that Alabama football has faced this season. Perhaps fortunately for the Crimson Tide, he can also be a bit of a loose cannon, tossing nine interceptions so far in 2024.

According to Pro Football Focus, Nussmeier has thrown 19 of his 20 touchdown passes when kept clean. When he’s been pressured, just one.

“It’s always important to get to the passer,” Alabama defensive lineman Jah-Marien Latham said of the need to pressure Nussmeier. “Make sure that we’re getting pressure on the quarterback. It ain’t nothing that we need to do different. Just keep getting to the quarterback and getting pressure on the quarterback so that we can get some turnovers.”

The Tigers are coming off a loss to Texas A&M, a game in which Nussmeier turned in his worst performance of the season. The junior completed 25 of his 50 passing attempts, and threw three interceptions in the defeat.

Alabama’s defense has done well creating turnovers in recent weeks. On Saturday, it will try again to force Nussmeier into his worst gunslinger tendencies.

“If you can find creative ways to give them different looks and pictures, you’re going to give yourself an opportunity to take the ball away,” Wommack said. “At the same time, this dude has made a lot of plays being the guy he is. He’s an aggressive player. Think about, Brett Favre threw a lot of picks in his career, but he also made a hell of a lot of plays. This guy has really done some similar things in that regard.

“Some of that you live with a little bit as an offense, but from a defensive perspective, we need to make sure. Taking the ball off people is really the identity of who we are as a defense. That needs to show up on Saturday night.”

Latham said he’d been watching tape of opponents who have had pass rush success against the Tigers this season. From the TAMU game, he spotted players having success going “speed-to-power,” using their long arms to win battles up front.

“There’s some things that we’ve been trying to work this week,” Latham said. “Making sure that we can bring that up on the field Saturday.”

Alabama and LSU are scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Baton Rouge. The game will be aired on ABC.