LSU vs Alabama

( 16-13 Win )

As victory piled upon improbable victory, as the Alabama defense refused to give up first downs, much less touchdowns, as their quarterback flashed his Hollywood smile, the Tide faithful believed. Destiny was just a few touchdowns away as Alabama reached 9-0, No. 4 in the nation, No. 3 in the BCS Standings. The Crimson Tide kept finding a way to win. If they squeezed their eyes shut and looked hard, the fans swore they could see Fate smiling in their direction.

Fate hasn't turned her face towards Alabama in a while, LSU has won five of the past six meetings with Alabama. There would come a game when the opponent would be more talented, would be cool under big-game pressure, and Alabama would need more than its defense. That game arrived Saturday, when No. 5 LSU came to Bryant-Denny Stadium.





When the Tigers fell behind 10-0 in the first 20 minutes of the game, they didn't fall apart. LSU has had problems. With their personal lives in disorder, a few of their previous games have been made close by their own penalties and turnovers.


Their QB being sacked. Our QB being sacked. It's never pretty.

After halftime, momentum didn't just swing LSU's way, it raced to the Tigers' sideline. Most of the second half took place on Alabama's side of the 50. Croyle, trying to survive behind a makeshift offensive line, had no time to throw. Tailback Ken Darby, had no room to run. For the first time in more than two seasons, this Alabama defense did not force a turnover.




Thanks to that stifling defense, the Tide had won its last three SEC games scoring just one offensive touchdown. This time Alabama couldn't overcome its failure to produce any points in the second half, managing only four first downs. Yet it was the defense that got Alabama into overtime after LSU came back to tie the game at 10.


He looks 'bout mad. He looks 'bout goofy.
I laugh every time I see that picture of Les Miles.

Alabama opened overtime with a drive that went the way most of the team's second-half possessions did: nowhere. They were forced to go for and score a field goal.

Four plays into LSU's overtime possession found the Tigers at 3rd-and-6. LSU's kicker had already missed 3 field goals in regulation time. There wasn't much hope for the Tiger fans. It was then that Russell delivered the 11-yard touchdown pass with timing and accuracy to Dwayne Bowe, who had found that glorious opening in the middle of the end zone.

While LSU players swarmed into the end zone, Tide fans mostly sat stunned by the sudden end to their unexpected bid for perfection.

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With an immovable defense and one big play by JaMarcus Russell and Dwayne Bowe, No. 5 LSU bounced Alabama from the national title picture and asserted itself as a dark horse contender, a team that wouldn't embarrass itself in the BCS championship game, should USC or Texas stumble in the next three weeks. Nobody wants to play LSU right now.