Alabama pulls away from LSU: No. 4 Crimson Tide get timely red zone stops to stifle reeling Tigers' offense

Alabama's defense continues to come up with game-changing plays. Against LSU, Nikhai Hill-Green came up with the first one. The Crimson Tide's graduate linebacker forced a Bauer Sharp fumble late in the first quarter and then fell on it at LSU's 24-yard line. The play set the stage for an Alabama field goal that opened the scoring. In the fourth quarter, Yhonzae Pierre turned out the lights on LSU's hopes by forcing a Michael Van Buren Jr. fumble that London Simmons recovered. Pierre also sacked LSU's Garrett Nussmeier for a loss of 14 yards on a critical third-down play early in the third quarter.

Alabama's effort to establish the run largely failed. The Crimson Tide knew executing in the passing game would be challenging against the Tigers' strong secondary and spent the bye week rededicating themselves to the ground game. In the end, their top rusher was Daniel Hill, who totaled 21 yards on seven carries. Jam Miller finished with just 13 yards on eight attempts. Alabama's longest run of the day, 17 yards, came from quarterback Ty Simpson. At this point, Alabama must resign itself to the fact that its running game is a glaring and potentially unfixable weakness.

Garrett Nussmeier started 9 for 9, but his hot start fizzled amid more sloppy play from the LSU offensive line. Alabama frequently dropped seven or eight men in coverage against the Tigers, who have struggled to run the football all season. Even with a minimal pass rush, Bama was able to make Nussmeier uncomfortable. Frank Harris, in his first game as the interim coach following Brian Kelly's firing, pulled Nussmeier after he took a 14-yard sack that backed LSU out of the red zone in the third quarter. A couple of three-and-outs preceded that big loss, and Harris was seen lighting into Nussmeier on the sideline after one unproductive series. Michael Van Buren finished 5 of 11 passing for 52 yards in relief duty.

LSU benches Garrett Nussmeier: Tigers sit star QB amid struggles vs. Alabama, turn to to Michael Van Buren Jr.

David Cobb

No. 4 Alabama withstood a test from a feisty LSU team on Saturday night to secure a 20-9 rivalry victory that keeps the Crimson Tide on track for an appearance in the SEC Championship Game. The outcome extended Alabama's record-setting home winning streak against unranked team to 85 games, but it did come with some drama.

LSU got the football with 8:42 remaining trailing just 17-9. That's when Alabama's defense stepped up with a pair of huge stops to help the Crimson Tide (8-1, 6-0 SEC) extend their winning streak in the series to three games. Conor Talty delivered some critical separation when he drilled a 44-yard field goal with 4:25 remaining.

Alabama's offense never went three-and-out, but the Crimson Tide struggled to finish drives. Though it wasn't his best night, quarterback Ty Simpson found receiver Isaiah Horton for a critical 21-yard gain down the left sideline to set up Talty's field goal and allow the Crimson Tide faithful to exhale.

Aside from allowing a 37-yard run from Harlem Berry in the first half, Alabama's defense played lights out. The Tigers were so inept offensively that interim coach Frank Wilson benched veteran starter Garrett Nussmeier for sophomore Michael Van Buren Jr. in the second half. Van Buren provided a momentary jolt, but the Tigers (5-4, 2-4) finished with just 232 total yards.

4:25 4Q: Alabama 20, LSU 9

Isaiah Horton made an absolutely incredible catch down the left sideline for a gain of 21 to establish Alabama in field goal range. Conor Talty then delivered a 44-yard make to give the Crimson Tide some critical separation. Alabama's offense has been out of rhythm for much of the night. But, per usual, Ty Simpson is doing just enough to get his team where it needs to go.

8:51 4Q: Alabama 17, LSU 9

Ty Simpson stepped up in the pocket amid pressure and delivered a pass over the middle intended for Ryan Williams on third-and-9. It fluttered just outside of his outstretched arms, forcing Alabama to punt. After a perfect punt, LSU is taking over at its own 2-yard line needing to go 98 yards to get eight points. That's a significant ask for sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren, but give the Tigers credit for battling to give themselves a chance.

EARLY 4Q: No. 4 Alabama 17, LSU 9

After LSU forced a takeaway, the Tigers weren't able to add six on the board. LSU had first-and-10 from the Alabama 12-yard line, but Van Buren was sacked for a 12-yard loss. Damian Ramos added a 37-yard field goal to make it a one-possession game with 10:28 remaining.

Well, what a start to the fourth quarter for LSU. The Tigers immediately force a takeaway and will take over at Alabama's 38-yard line. This game just flipped upside down after the big play by Harold Perkins Jr.

END 3Q: No. 4 Alabama 17, LSU 6

Alabama will head into the fourth quarter with a commanding 17-6 lead, with a chance to add more points during the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. After the Crimson Tide defense forced a three-and-out after the quarterback change, the offense is currently on a five-play, 34-yard drive. Alabama star quarterback Ty Simpson has been efficient tonight. He is 17 of 28 for 244 yards and a touchdown. Alabama has only run the ball 15 times for 40 yards. However, the Crimson Tide should lean on their ground game during the final 15 minutes of play.

Alabama is looking for its eighth consecutive win after starting the season with a bad loss on the road against Florida State.

LATE 3Q: No. 4 Alabama 17, LSU 6

On the first drive after benching quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in favor of Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren, LSU will have to punt. Van Buren scrambled on third-and-10, and it looked like he picked up the first down. However, the play was overturned. He was short of the line of gain. LSU lined up to go for it on fourth-and-1, but a false start penalty forced the Tigers to punt.

Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren has been inserted for Garrett Nussmeier amid continued struggles for LSU's offense. This is a big spot for Van Buren, who is auditioning for his future on the road in a hostile environment. A good relief showing here would go a long way toward boosting his stock either in the eyes of LSU's new staff or — more likely — in the portal. Nussmeier simply never looked comfortable and hasn't all year. Van Buren brings a bit more mobility, which should help the Tigers mask the deficiencies of their offensive line.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson took a couple of massive deep shots from Bama territory that both fell incomplete. His first heave was intended for Lotzeir Brooks but was under thrown. The second was for Germie Bernard, and it was just barely overthrown. Quietly, the Crimson Tide have begun to pull back on their attempts to be more balanced. With the run game doing very little, Mama's fate is once again in the hands of Simpson and the defense.

8:54 3Q: Alabama 17, LSU 6

Alabama has been circling all night and threatening to sack Garrett Nussmeier. The Tide finally got to him on a third-and-13 play, as Yhonzae Pierre wrangled him down for a loss of 14. The Crimson Tide only rushed three, but it didn't matter. As per usual, Nussmeier went backwards in the face of pressure and nearly took the Tigers out of field goal range. But Damian Ramos drilled his 44-yard attempt to help LSU salvage three points.

Garrett Nussmeier needs to get back on track if LSU is going to have any chance in the second half. He started 9 for 9 but faded from there. As has often been the case, he looks uncomfortable in the pocket behind LSU's notoriously shaky offensive line. That led to off-balance throws and incorrect reads in the first half. Alabama didn't register a sack, but it seems content to drop back in coverage and dare Nussmeier to be a stud. With no rushing attack to speak of, the Tigers are handicapped offensively.

Half: Alabama 17, LSU 3

Just when it looked like LSU had the opportunity to potentially steal some points going into the locker room, Alabama flipped the script. The Crimson Tide defense forced LSU's second three-and-out in a row, returning the football to Alabama with ample time before the half. Ty Simpson promptly hit Lotzeir Brooks on a 53-yard bomb down the middle. On the very next play, he found Ryan Williams for a 13-yard touchdown. That was a quick and seismic shift in the complexion of this game. Too early to be deemed a knockout blow, but the Tigers are wobbling.

Late 2Q: Alabama 10, LSU 3

Alabama kicker Conor Talty botched a chip shot, pulling his 26-yard attempt wide left. That brought an unceremonious end to a once-promising Alabama drive. Ty Simpson got things going with a 31-yard pass to Gertie Bernard before LSU's defense buckled down. Both defenses are doing a good job of bending without breaking, and the Tigers' latest stand sets up a huge sequence for the LSU offense. The Tigers get the football to start the second half and also have a chance to put up some points before the break.

It took a convoy of blockers, but Alabama picked up four key yards on the ground to cap off a 7-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. The highlight play was a 32-yard connection between Ty Simpson and Josh Cuevas, but the Crimson Tide ran the ball well on that series. Cuevas and Hill each had nice runs before Hill finished it off to put Bama ahead 10-3.

Harlem Berry reeled off a 37-yard run to establish LSU at Alabama's 27-yard line. That was a rare explosive play in the run game for the Tigers, who promptly stalled out and settled for a field goal to make it 3-3. Coming out of an injury timeout, interim coach Frank Wilson faced a big decision on whether to go for it on fourth-and-2. He elected to play it safe and take the points. As a double-digit road underdog, you might expect an interim coach to roll the dice there. We'll see if that decision comes back to haunt LSU.

End 1Q: Alabama 3, LSU 0

LSU's defense came to play in the first quarter as the Tigers take on No. 4 Alabama on the road in their first game since the firing of Brian Kelly. The Tigers came up with a fourth-down stand on Alabama's opening possession, forced a punt and then bailed the offense out following a fumble. The only points came on a 45-yard field goal from Alabama's Conor Talty after the Crimson Tide went backwards following LSU's turnover. Garrett Nussmeier is 8 of 8 through the air for the Tigers. But per usual, there is no running game for LSU.

After a missed chip shot field goal on its first possession, LSU fumbled the ball away on its second series. Bauer Sharp had just picked up a third-and-6 deep in LSU territory on a strike from Garrett Nussmeier when Nikhai Hill-Green popped it out and recovered it. The turnover set Alabama up on LSU's 24 yard-line. The series went nowhere, leading to a 45-yard field goal from Conor Talty. 

Damian Ramos pulled a 30-yarder, missing it left to leave the game scoreless after LSU picked up three first downs on its opening drive to establish itself in the red zone. Alabama pressured the kick and Ramos may have hurried it just a touch. That's a momentum boost for Alabama after a hot start for Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who connected on his first four passes. It will be interesting to see how dedicated Alabama remains to establishing the run as it takes over for its second possession.

We heard a lot over Alabama's bye week about how the Crimson Tide re-dedicated themselves to running the football. Against LSU's strong secondary, picking up yards on the ground was going to be critical. The early returns on that endeavor were discouraging for the Crimson Tide. Jam Miller was stuffed on fourth-and-1 at the LSU 39. He had a 7-yard run earlier in the possession, but Bama's was otherwise nonexistent on the game's first possession.

Politics giveth and politics taketh. 

That might as well be the story of LSU athletic director Scott Woodward's time as the top boss of Tigers athletics. 

LSU fired Woodward on Thursday, one day after Louisiana governor Jeff Landry went nuclear on the LSU AD saying unequivocally he would not be hiring the next LSU football coach. 

The Politics of Purple and Gold: How Gov. Jeff Landry's power play took down LSU's AD -- and what comes next

John Talty

You'll hear the word fit -- or lack thereof -- thrown around a lot in hindsight of LSU's decision to fire Kelly. From the early weird pronunciation of "family" mishap to calling out LSU fans for being spoiled, Kelly never seemed to understand how to authentically connect with the LSU fanbase. It always felt like a politician trying too hard to be something he wasn't. LSU is one of the best jobs in college football because of how much the state of Louisiana adores their Tigers. There's no other Power Four team in the state to divide attention and loyalty the way there is in neighboring states Alabama and Mississippi. There's a reason why the three coaches who preceded Kelly all won national championships in Baton Rouge. When everyone is pulling in the same direction, that's what's possible at LSU.

You can't fake 'fam-uh-lee' forever: Brian Kelly's end came fast, but his LSU downfall was years in the making

John Talty

No. 4 Alabama is in control of its own destiny as it prepares to host LSU in a rivalry showdown on Saturday. The Crimson Tide (7-5, 5-0 SEC) face a manageable November slate and are on pace to appear in the SEC Championship Game and to receive a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

But the Tigers (5-3, 2-3) would love nothing more than to sow chaos inside Bryant-Denny Stadium as they begin life without Brian Kelly. The dismissal of LSU's fourth-year coach eight games into the season leaves the Tigers under the direction of interim coach Frank Wilson as they enter one of the nation's most hostile environments

The Crimson Tide have won 84 straight home games against unranked teams, which is the longest streak of any team in college football over the past 30 years. LSU is no ordinary unranked team, however. For all their flaws, the Tigers are still a talented team that could be galvanized by the shock of Kelly's firing and the installation of Wilson as the interim.

Alabama has reeled off seven straight wins since its shocking Week 1 loss at Florida State. The run has calmed the waters surrounding second-year coach Kalen DeBoer. But crazy things happen when these teams meet, and the Crimson Tide will need to be ready for an LSU team playing with nothing to lose.

LSU is in absolute institutional turmoil following the dismissal of coach Brian Kelly, which came on the heels of an embarrassing home loss to Texas A&M. The Tigers have no running game, shoddy pass protection and a quarterback who appears to be struggling with confidence. What about the defense? A unit that gave up 10 points or less in its first four games has looked far more vulnerable against quality opposition. Alabama presents arguably the toughest test yet. Look for the Crimson Tide to cruise at home. Pick: Alabama -10

If LSU can put up a fight on the road against Alabama, it may be a welcome distraction for a university community grappling with the public fallout of Brian Kelly's firing. Louisiana governor Jeff Landry suggested he would let Donald Trump make LSU's coaching hire before allowing athletic director Scott Woodward to find Kelly's replacement. Woodward was subsequently fired as part of what amounts to a wholesale overhaul of university leadership. LSU also hired a new president this week, Wade Rousse, and he promptly elevated interim athletic director Verge Ausberry to the full-time position. Finally, a football game can provide a temporary diversion from the chaos.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is just the third SEC quarterback since 2000 to have 20 or more touchdown passes with one interception or less through eight games. The redshirt junior was an unknown commodity entering the season after serving as a backup for his first three seasons on campus. But his patience has been rewarded in a significant way as he sits at third on the Heisman Trophy odds sheet (+390 at FanDuel) entering Week 11 action. Simpson hasn't been intercepted since a Week 1 loss at Florida State and has made a habit of delivering clutch throws under game pressure during the Crimson Tide's seven-game winning streak.

This is just the fourth time in the past 40 years that a team is facing a top-five opponent on the road while playing its first game under an interim coach. The previous three each lost by 30+ points. Most recently, Texas Tech fell 52-21 at No. 4 Oklahoma in 2021 the week after firing Matt Wells. LSU interim coach Frank Wilson is no stranger to be in charge, however. He was the head coach at UTSA from 2016-19 and then at McNeese for two years before joining Brian Kelly's staff as running backs coach in 2022.