Alabama vs. LSU 2012: Offense Will Doom Crimson Tide in Rematch

The Alabama Crimson Tide offense outgained the LSU Tigers in the November 5th showdown in Tuscaloosa.

However, it was also Alabama's offense that committed the costly turnovers at terrible times.

Leading 6-3 with a few minutes remaining in the third quarter, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron made an awful decision to test the nation's best cover cornerback, Morris Claiborne, on an out route from the far hash.

The LSU junior not only stepped in front of the pass easily, but he returned it 30 yards in the other direction.

The Crimson Tide defense held strong, but LSU was already in field goal range from the return alone.

The Tide again moved the ball on the next drive, and after a 24-yard run by Trent Richardson that put them on the LSU 28-yard line, they made yet another mistake.

Wide receiver Marquis Maze put up a ball off a reverse pass that was then picked off by safety Eric Reid on the 1-yard line.

On two straight possessions the Tide threw interceptions in costly areas of the field, costing them at least six points.

LSU held Richardson to 89 yards on the ground, but he added 80 through the air on five catches.

The damage was done on the turnovers though.

It won't be any easier for sophomore QB A.J. McCarron and the rest of the Alabama offense tonight.

There is nobody on the outside the Tide can expect to win a one-on-one matchup against Claiborne or Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu, let alone safeties Eric Reid and Brandon Taylor.

Everything for Alabama starts and ends with Trent Richardson, and Coach Saban can only hope to hit a big play or two with the rest of his players.

You know this, I know this and LSU knows this.

Les Miles and the Tigers are going to force A.J. McCarron and the rest of the Alabama offense to beat them, and that is were trouble sets in.

Don't expect the Tide defense to give up much of anything, but they can't help it if they're forced to defend out of the shadow of their own end zone.