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Quick thoughts from LSU’s 20-13 overtime loss to Alabama.
What it means: As many suspected, LSU isn’t on par with the best of the SEC. The Tigers had Alabama on the ropes, taking a 13-10 lead with less than a minute to go. The defense, which played so well all night, allowed the Crimson Tide to matriculate the ball quickly for their game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. LSU still gave a College Football Playoff contender all it could handle, showing promise despite a frustrating offensive game. The possible scenarios for LSU making a dark-horse run to the SEC Championship game are out the window now.
What I liked: The defensive effort. For some reason, Alabama tried to take to the air to attack LSU, when the Tigers’ weak spot all season has been its run defense. LSU defended the run and pass equally well in this one, though. They limited Blake Sims to 20-of-45 passing for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns. They also shut down the run, holding the Crimson Tide to 106 yards and 3.7 yards per carry. The defense came up huge in one of the biggest moments of the game, taking the ball away from T.J. Yeldon late in the fourth quarter to set up a go-ahead field goal.
What I didn’t like: The wide receiver’s performance. LSU’s pass catchers had at least three untimely drops that stalled out drives. All three of the Tigers top receivers — Travin Dural, Malachi Dupre and Trey Quinn — let balls bounce of ftheir hands at inopportune times. The normally sure-handed Quinn in particular had two drops in the fourth quarter, both on third down. Additionally fullback Melvin Jones put a ball on the ground on LSU’s first offensive play of overtime. LSU doesn’t throw the ball well enough to be able to survive so many drops against a team as good as Alabama.
Key play: Vadal Alexander’s personal foul penalty. LSU took over after T.J. Yeldon’s fumble at the 6-yard line, but quickly got pushed back out to the 21-yard line after guard Vadal Alexander was flagged for a personal foul penalty after some shoving following the play. LSU didn’t gain any offensive yards after that, settling for a 39-yard Colby Delahoussaye field goal. The Tigers seemed to lose their composure after that, with Trent Domingue squibbing the kickoff out of bounds, followed by the defense allowing Alabama to drive for the game-tying field goal. LSU couldn’t stop Alabama on the first overtime possession, then immediately failed on its only possession of OT.
Who’s the man: Kendell Beckwith. The sophomore linebacker was instrumental in limiting Alabama’s running game. When he came off the field early in the second quarter, Alabama put together one of its best drives of the game, mainly using the ground attack. Beckwith also had one of the biggest plays of the game for the Tigers, pouncing on Yeldon’s fumble late. It’s a wonder Beckwith wasn’t starting from the beginning of the season, as the Tigers’ defense has improved by leaps and bounds since he became a starter.
What’s next: LSU doesn’t have much time to recover from this physical battle. The Tigers (7-3, 3-3) travel to face the run-heavy Arkansas Razorbacks (4-5, 0-5), who are still seeking their first SEC win under Bret Bielema.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
