Alabama is officially back in championship contention. On a rainy night in Baton Rouge, they destroyed the LSU Tigers 42-13. Jalen Milroe returned to dominance and was the star of the game. He was efficient as a passer going 12 for 18 for 109 yards and completing some big third down passes early. But he truly shined running the ball with 12 carries for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Garrett Nussmeier was able to move the ball at points, but he also had three devastating turnovers. This win plus the conference chaos has the Crimson Tide fully in the running for the SEC championship and the college football playoffs.
Exciting Start
Coach Kalen DeBoer has emphasized getting off to a good start. Alabama got the ball first with the crowd volume at insane decibels causing a false start on their first play. They overcame that because of Milroe’s brilliance. He broke away from a would-be sack and hit Ryan Williams for a 19-yard gain. The LSU run defense was stuffing the running backs who could only muster three yards on four carries. But on a designed run, Milroe ran up the middle and broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run.
Bama had the momentum and silenced the crowd momentarily. That changed on the kickoff when Zavion Thomas returned it 50 yards to mid-field. On the next play, a huge hole opened on the right side, and Caden Durham ran through it for 45 yards into the red zone. The Bama defense stepped up and held them to a field goal to make it 7-3. A big missed opportunity for the Tigers.
Perfect Drive
Bama’s next drive was the type they have rarely put together this season. A good mix of Milroe passes and runs got them down to the one-yard line. Jam Miller got stuffed on first down. They handed it to Justice Haynes who appeared to get stopped, but he kept grinding to sneak in for a touchdown. They reviewed it, but the call stood to put Bama up 14-3. Milroe was six for eight on a drive that lasted 15 plays for 75 yards and took 6:54 off the clock.
LSU needed points on the board, but the Alabama defense had other plans. LSU was only able to get one first down before they had to punt. Williams returned the 42-yard punt 12 yards to set the Crimson Tide offense up at the Tigers’ 48 yard line. Milroe hit Miller on a slant for a clutch first down. Milroe tried a couple deep throws, but they were off-target. They planned to attempt a long field goal, but a delay of game penalty forced a punt.
Bend But Don’t Break
LSU got the ball at their own 10. First play, LSU hit a 26-yard gain down the seam to Mason Taylor. Two 10-plus yard gains got them across mid-field. But the drive stalled out because of incompletions and penalties. LSU successfully kicked a field goal to make it a one-score game at 14-6. It felt like this was another big chance to get closer and they failed.
Alabama got the ball and ran it eight straight times down to the LSU 40 yard line for a 4th and one. DeBoer decided to go for it and Jam Miller got stuffed for no gain. The Tigers finally had momentum, but it vanished instantly. On the first play, Jihaad Campbell blitzed untouched up the gut. Nussmeier tried to escape, but Campbell sacked him and caused a fumble which Bama recovered. Three plays later, Milroe ran it from ten yards out to give them a 21-6 lead at the half.
Turning Point
LSU started the third quarter impressively. Nussmeier was in control during the 14-play, 71-yard drive that lasted over six minutes. But with the ball at the Alabama four-yard line, Nussmeier made a crucial mistake throwing an interception to Deontae Lawson for a touchback. On the ensuing possession, LSU appeared to get off the field on a third-down sack by Sai’vion Jones. But a face-mask penalty on Jones gave them an automatic first down. The fans started throwing stuff on the field in protest of the correct call. Four plays later, Milroe ran in his third touchdown to give Bama a 28-6 lead.
Blowout
LSU needed a touchdown to stay in it. But on third down, Campbell sacked Nussmeier yet again, putting them in a 4th and 20. Coach Brian Kelly had no choice but to punt. On this possession, Milroe called game. He broke through and out-ran everyone for a beautiful 72-yard touchdown, his fourth of the game. The score was 35-6 and officially a blowout. Nussmeier threw another interception to Bray Hubbard that set up the Alabama backups for another touchdown. Nussmeier did hit Kyren Lacy for a score with 11 seconds left. That put the final score at 42-13.
SEC Standings
Alabama hopped from eighth to sixth in the SEC standings. That doesn’t seem too encouraging. But they have an easy schedule the rest of the way. Tennessee still plays Georgia and Texas faces Texas A&M in the upcoming weeks. Those four teams are above Alabama, so they could theoretically jump over the losers of those games. Even if Alabama doesn’t make the SEC championship, they are sure to rise from their 11th ranking after this win. If they win these three very winnable games, they will be a top-ten team and guaranteed a spot in the college football playoff. For what’s been a seemingly difficult season, this massive win puts them in a great position. All they have to do now is not blow it. A shot at the conference championship is back in view. And certainly, their position in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff poll will be improved.
