No. 1 Alabama (9-0, 6-0) went a long way toward securing another SEC title on Saturday night with a 10-0 win at No. 15 LSU (5-3, 3-2).
This game was scoreless through three quarters before Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts broke the tie early in the fourth frame with a 21-yard touchdown run. That would prove to be all the Crimson Tide needed to pick up their 21st consecutive win.
While Hurts struggled in the passing game, he had a big game running the football as he led the defending champs with 114 yards on the ground.
LSU finished the game with just 125 total yards and averaged a meager 2.4 yards per play.
The Tide finish the season with three straight home games, with Auburn being their only real threat from another undefeated regular season. For the Tigers, they have a tougher remaining schedule with Arkansas and Florida up next before ending the regular season at Texas A&M.
Here’s what we learned.
Alabama cannot be stopped: The Tigers did a good job hanging with the defending champs through three quarters. However, LSU’s offense had nothing for ‘Bama’s impenetrable defense. Outside of Ole Miss earlier this season, no team stayed with Alabama like LSU did. Unfortunately for the Tigers and rest of college football, it just wasn’t enough. Hurts and the Tide made plays when they needed to and that was enough to escape Baton Rouge with an impressive, hard-fought victory.
LSU should’ve went to Brandon Harris: Seriously, don’t laugh. Yes, Harris was benched for game-manager Danny Etling, but this was a night where LSU needed something—anything—from the offensive side of the ball to pull off a huge win. It got nothing. Etling is a solid game manager on most weeks, but when you’re playing a team like Alabama, you need a whole lot more. Harris’ athleticism would’ve opened up LSU’s playbook and given the Tide a different look. Nick Saban knew Etling wasn’t leaving the pocket, therefore he posed no threat. Maybe Harris would’ve struggled, he probably would have, but shouldn’t you have tried?
Ed Orgeron should be LSU’s permanent head coach: There are numerous reasons why the current interim head coach should be named full-time head coach. And it goes beyond his Louisiana roots or his astounding recruiting ability. These players love “Coach O.” It shows on the field. They play hard for him. This team has responded to him since the dismissal of Les Miles earlier this fall and that shouldn’t go unnoticed to LSU athletic director Joe Alleva. He’s stepped into a tough situation and thrived. There’s no shame in losing to Alabama. The Tide are historically good. Orgeron’s Tigers were in this game all night long. If he can hire the right offensive coordinator, Orgeron could have the Tigers battling for national championship in the near future.
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