Alabama left Tiger Stadium with exactly what it needed: a 31-13 road win over LSU that keeps the Tide in the thick of the SEC race and knocks LSU out of the College Football Playoff picture with a third loss.
The final margin makes it look comfortable. The game itself was anything but for long stretches.
Alabama improved to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the SEC, and with other results breaking its way, it is now back in a tie in the loss column for a spot in the SEC title game. For a team that badly needed to handle business on the road, that’s what this was.
What stood out most was how Alabama survived a night when the numbers leaned the other direction. LSU outgained the Tide 457-285 and finished with more than twice as many first downs, yet Alabama still walked away with an 18-point win.
The difference was the defense. LSU kept getting close, but Alabama kept slamming the door.
The Tigers had two turnover-on-downs inside the Alabama 10-yard line, and on another trip inside the 10 they settled for a field goal. LSU reached inside the Alabama 40 on eight of its 10 drives, but it came away with only one touchdown and two field goals.
On fourth down, LSU went 0-for-4. When the game tightened, Alabama made the stops it had to make.
Special teams and a timely spark from Ryan Coleman-Williams also helped turn the game. Back from injury, Coleman-Williams made his presence felt in a big way.
His biggest moment came in the fourth quarter with Alabama leading 17-13, when he broke loose for a 32-yard punt return. That set up a one-play touchdown drive, capped by a 25-yard pass to Cedarian Morgan, and suddenly Alabama’s lead was 24-13.
Earlier, Coleman-Williams had also found the end zone on an end-around after LSU lost track of him. He finished with just two catches for 14 yards, but his impact went well beyond the stat line.
The win also put Alabama right back in the conversation that had surrounded the program all week. The Tide entered the weekend ranked No. 5 in the initial CFP committee rankings, a spot plenty of people thought was too high.
After beating a top 15 LSU team on the road, Alabama answered that debate the best way possible. It not only strengthened its playoff position, it gave the committee’s confidence in the Tide a lot more weight.
In Other News...
LSU Star Took A Shot At Alabama Even After The Loss
Alabamas 31-13 win over LSU was built in the second half, when the Crimson Tide put together three touchdown drives and steadily pulled away from a game that had been tighter earlier on. The result pushed Alabama to 7-2 and left LSU at 6-3, a setback that did more than just dent the Tigers record.
Afterward, LSU safety Ty Benefield pointed the blame inward, saying the loss came down to his own teams mistakes rather than anything Alabamas offense did. It was the kind of postgame assessment that can linger, especially with LSUs playoff hopes now taking a hit and Alabama continuing to build momentum down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama's Playoff Hopes Were Slipping Until One Drive Changed Everything
Alabamas playoff push had started to look shaky when LSU nudged ahead late in the third quarter, but the Tide steadied themselves just in time to keep the conversation alive. Kalen DeBoers team leaned into the kind of simple, disciplined football he has stressed all season, staying focused and executing when the game tightened up.
One drive flipped the feel of the night, sparked by Rico Scotts 57-yard reception and finished with a touchdown pass from Keelon Russell to Josh Ford. Ryan Coleman-Williams also made his presence felt in his return from injury, giving Alabama another needed piece as it found a way to answer LSU and protect its postseason hopes. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Fans Got Another Reason To Enjoy Lane Kiffins Misery
Lane Kiffins latest trip through Tuscaloosa ended the same way so many of the others have, with Alabama leaving him looking for answers. LSUs loss to the Crimson Tide pushed Kiffin to 0-6 against Alabama in his coaching career, and it came in a game where the Tide got enough from quarterback Keelon Russell to keep control even after Russell dealt with an injury. For Alabama fans, it was another satisfying chapter in a long-running storyline that has rarely gone their way when Kiffin is on the opposing sideline.
The biggest moment came late, when Kiffins fourth-and-10 decision turned into a sack and effectively shut the door on LSUs chances. It was the kind of call that invites second-guessing immediately, especially in a game already tilted by Alabamas steadier execution. For the Tide, the win was about more than just another conference result. It was also another reminder that Kiffins frustration against Alabama continues to pile up, one loss at a time. [Read more 🡒]