BATON ROUGE, La. — Alabama hasn’t played anyone, they said. LSU will be a tough opponent for Alabama, they said. Alabama’s receivers won’t have success against LSU’s secondary, they said.

But the game determined that was a lie as No. 1 Alabama stomped No. 3 LSU 29-0 in a game that wasn’t that close.

LSU’s defense played its heart out, holding Alabama’s offense to a season-low 29 points. But it wasn’t nearly enough as Alabama’s defense, led by Quinnen Williams, suffocated Joe Burrow and LSU’s offense while Alabama’s hit enough big plays to earn the victory.

Here’s what I liked most about the Tide’s eighth consecutive victory over the Tigers:

Give credit to Alabama’s defense

This was a signature performance for Alabama’s defense, so they get top billing here. Yes, LSU doesn’t have the most explosive offense, but holding a team scoreless in their place for 60 minutes is impressive no matter who the opponent is.

Alabama held LSU to 12 net rushing yards (0.5 yards perry carry). That’s absurd. Alabama sacked Joe Burrow 5 times and pressured him plenty more. Mack Wilson completed the effort with a leaping interception late in the fourth quarter to preserve the Tide’s first shutout this season — and second in three years against LSU.

If the defense can bring that level of intensity each week, Alabama will be even more unstoppable than before.

Quinnen Williams likely off to NFL

Alabama fans you should enjoy Quinnen Williams while you can because he is likely gone to the NFL after this season.

Williams has been an animal all year, but he was fully unleashed Saturday night. LSU tried to double team him, chip him with a running back and even hold him, but nothing worked.

Williams had a career day against the Tigers, posting 10 tackles (7 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. LSU’s offensive line was helpless all night, and Williams had LSU quarterback Joe Burrow running for his life on nearly every dropback.

Williams’ stock continues to rise. He’s already being mentioned as a potential first-round pick despite this being his lone year as a starter.

The Alabama assembly line rolls on.

Big night for running backs

Tua Tagovailoa and the receivers have gotten plenty of accolades during the 9-0 start, and rightfully so, but the Tide running backs enjoyed a banner night Saturday, too.

The Tide established season highs for rushing yards (281) and yards-per-carry (7.59) against a defense built to stop the run. Damien Harris topped 100 yards and Najee Harris exploded for 83 on just 6 carries before leaving with an ankle sprain.

That rushing total was the most against LSU since Saban arrived and just the third time the Tide topped 200 yards.

The Iron Bowl won’t matter, again

One of the funnier things Alabama fans got to hold over Auburn fans’ last year was that the Iron Bowl didn’t matter.

Auburn defeated Alabama last season to win the SEC West, but Alabama went on to make the Playoff and win the national championship.

And guess what, it won’t matter again this year — at least not for determining who goes to Atlanta.

Alabama has already clinched the SEC West, and unless the team literally forgets to show up the next two weeks (Mississippi State, The Citadel), Alabama will enter the Iron Bowl undefeated.

It’s not often that the Iron Bowl is completely meaningless in terms of SEC West standings, but this is one of those years.