Ed Orgeron on why Brian Robinson Jr. is so effective for Alabama

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron knows what to expect from Alabama’s offense, led by Heisman Trophy candidate Bryce Young under center, but the head coach might be more impressed by senior running back Brian Robinson Jr.

Though Young is certain to command most of the attention — and rightfully so — Robinson has turned in a productive season for the Crimson Tide, pulling Alabama’s offense when it needed the help most.

For example, Robinson’s performance against Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels, a game in which he took 36 carries for 171 rushing yards and four touchdowns, or his most recent performance against Tennessee, where he needed just 26 carries to go for 107 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Orgeron knows that Alabama has a multi-faceted offense, and Robinson is a large reason why.

It’s not just Robinson’s numbers that stand out to Orgeron, though. He believes that LSU will have its hands full with Robinson thanks to his fundamentals, which allow him to easily evade tacklers. In Wednesday’s SEC coaches’ teleconference, Orgeron detailed what he’s seen from Robinson on film.

“He has patience, he knows where his holes are going to be. He only needs to make one cut,” Orgeron said. “I’ve seen linebackers overrunning him. He knows how to miss tacklers, he knows how to break through tacklers, I think the guy is having a fantastic year. He’s a fantastic back.”

This season, Robinson is having by far and away his best season at Alabama, and Orgeron has taken note. After not eclipsing the 500-yard mark in any of his first four seasons on campus, Robinson has inherited a much larger role in the offense in 2021, and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien has helped Robinson run for 706 yards on 142 attempts, including 11 touchdown runs. Robinson has been effective in the passing game too, though he’s used far less frequently there — he’s reeled in 17 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 9.5 yards per catch.

LSU will have its hands full trying to contain Alabama’s offense, and Robinson is a large reason why. Though Orgeron will have to game plan for Young, too, it’s LSU’s rushing defense that stands out as a significant downfall on the year. Orgeron has allowed 166 yards per game to opposing tailbacks, including 12 touchdowns in just eight games; last game, against Ole Miss, the Tigers allowed 265 total rushing yards to Snoop Conner, Jerrion Ealy, Henry Parrish Jr. and Matt Corral. Stopping Robinson won’t be easy, which should in part justify why Alabama is a 28.5-point favorite at home on Saturday.