Loss to Alabama a Bitter Pill for LSU Fans To Swallow

In spite of trailing 13-10 at the end of the first half, LSU fans had cause for optimism last night.

A botched kickoff allowed Alabama to score a late field goal and take the lead but LSU was close going into the locker room for the break.

There were other causes for optimism after two quarters. Fournette was bottled up in the first half but was close to breaking free only to have the last Alabama player between him and open space make the tackle on a number of plays. He looked primed to reel of a big run at any moment.

As we predicted here in our LSU Alabama Preview , Alabama has some weaknesses in their pass defense, weaknesses the Tigers were able to exploit with deep passes.

The first got LSU out of a major jam inside their own five yard line. After a series of miscues that started with poor special teams play followed by a delay of game penalty for half the distance to the goal Brandon Harris appeared to give up a safety.

Instead, the Tigers were flagged for delay of game on consecutive plays before the snap, erasing the safety and leaving LSU pinned up against their own goal line.

A deep pass to Travin Dural on third and long put the Tigers near mid field. They couldn’t mount a drive but they were able to flip field position and pin Alabama back inside the Crimson Tide’s own 10 yard line, a welcome change after the near safety scare.

Alabama was able to score twice opening up a 10-0 lead before LSU’s offense finally made another appearance. Brandon Harris was abke to conect with Travin Dural for another deep play put the Tigers on the board.

LSU added a field goal in the second quarter and held Alabama until a special teams miscue gave the Tide a short field and let them sink a long field goal right before halftime.

The field goal didn’t help, but down three at halftime in Tuscaloosa isn’t a bad place to be, especially when your offense is showing signs of life and you get the ball to start the second half.

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) runs the ball past LSU Tigers defensive back Dwayne Thomas (13) during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Whatever optimism the Tigers may have been feeling at halftime was quenched in a long, miserable oppressive third quarter.

Brandon Harris threw an ugly interception to open the third quarter leading to an easy touchdown and a ten point lead for Alabama.

LSU had to punt on their next four drives, while Alabama added a touchdown and a field goal after long drives of their own. A 30-10 Alabama lead early in the fourth quarter was insurmountable.

LSU never quit on the game, you have to hand the Tigers that much. They were able to mount a short scoring drive following an Alabama fumble that brought the score to 30-16.

Alabama responded with a long drive that sapped the rest of the clock and left the score there.

This was a bitter pill to swallow in a rivalry game that has been dominated by Alabama since their win in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans.

LSU did some of the things they needed to in this game. For most of the first half the LSU defensive line was able to consistently create penetration. This game was one of their best pass rush games of the season.

Passing opportunities were there for the Tigers offense, opportunities they did not take consistent advantage of.

The real story of the game was the line play, a facet of the game that ultimately went against LSU on both sides of the ball.

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LSU did well with their starting four linemen on defense but the lack of depth that has dogged them all year showed up again. With the Tigers offense failing to keep the defense off the field the line wore down and Alabama was able to run at will late in the game.

LSU’s youth and inexperience in the offensive line showed. The loss to injury of Dillon Gordon and JD Moore showed as well. LSU was simply overmatched by ALabama’s defensive front seven.

Many will call this game a failure for Leonard Fournette. It was a depressing setback in his Heisman campaign. He had nothing to work with most of the night.

The review of game film of this game is not going to be a pleasant one for LSU’s offensive line. They have a lot to be accountable for, and a lot of improvement to make.

All is not lost though.

This is one loss, and one loss only.

Alabama was beat by Ole Miss earlier this season and they are squarely in the playoff chase.

With only one loss on their record, LSU is still very much alive in the hunt for one of the four playoff spots.

Jan 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Genral view of the College Football Playoff trophy during a press conference at Renaissance Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

They will need a little help, and they can’t afford another slip up, but the playoff hunt is still alive and well in Tigertown.

Tigers fans will be wise to remember the shattered Crimson Tide after LSU took a close game in Tuscaloosa. That same Tide team won out and found themselves back in the National Championship picture with a rematch against LSU for all the marbles.

There is nothing more difficult to do in sports than beat a team in the title game you have already defeated in the regular season. LSU fans learned that lesson in 2012, and with a little luck this is a favor they will have a chance to repay to the Tide Faithful come January……