LSU vs. Alabama: Report Card for Crimson Tide's Loss Versus LSU Tigers

Alabama’s roster is stacked with elite talent at seemingly every position. 

Or so we thought. 

It turns out that Nick Saban’s squad had one glaring hole: they are clearly lacking a capable field goal kicker. 

In a game that was billed as the two best teams in the nation going toe-to-toe, No.1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama engaged in a throwback slug fest, with the Tigers holding on for a 9-6 overtime win.   

Saban and the Tide will be left to lament over a host of missed opportunities, including missing two field goals and having another blocked in the first half.  

A pair of game-changing interceptions by LSU in the fourth quarter—one on a trick play call in the red zone thrown by receiver Marquis Maze—stifled the little momentum Alabama’s offense was able to muster in the second half. 

With two evenly matched elite teams, LSU capitalized on their advantage in special teams with punter Brad Wing constantly hemming the Tide inside its own 20-yard line, including a crucial 72-yard boot in the fourth quarter that flipped the field. 

The Tide’s defense fought valiantly and did everything in their power to win the game. In the end their miscues on offense and special teams doomed them and perhaps their shot at a national title. 

Offense

In a somewhat surprising move, Nick Saban took the shackles off sophomore quarterback AJ McCarron, entrusting him to make crucial throws against the best defense he will see this season.  

In the first half, McCarron stood tall in the face of pressure and drove the ball into LSU territory several times, but the Tide failed to capitalize due to three missed field goals. 

In the second half, after driving deep into LSU territory, Eric Reid’s interception of Maze is a play that will sting forever in the minds of Tide fans, as he ripped the ball away from Alabame tight end Michael Williams on the doorstep of the end zone.    

Despite being slowed down in the second half, Alabama would have been much better off putting the game in Trent Richardson’s hands instead of McCarron’s. 

Grade:  C

Defense

Even though it was in a losing effort, Alabama’s top-ranked defense played a magnificent ballgame. 

They forced LSU starting quarterback Jarrett Lee into a pair of interceptions, and aside from one blown first half assignment in the secondary, they eventually adjusted to stifle Tigers backup Jordan Jefferson and the option.

After LSU’s Morris Claiborne returned an interception inside the Alabama 15-yard line, Kirby Smart’s troops bowed up, forcing the Tide to settle for a field goal. 

Overall, the Tide only allowed 239 yards of total offense and no touchdowns. 

Perhaps the biggest mistake the defense made was when defensive tackle Josh Chapman was flagged for a block in the back on Mark Barron’s interception return that ultimately resulted in a field goal instead of being inside the 5-yard line. 

Grade:  A-

Special Teams

This is the area where Alabama ultimately fell short. 

The Tide missed three missed field goals and another was blocked; in a game where scoring opportunities were preciously sparse, Alabama wasted several golden chances to take control of the game. 

Marquis Maze letting a punt sail over his head at midfield led to a 73-yard punt in the fourth quarter that flipped the field and momentum in a 6-6 ballgame in the fourth quarter.   

Heading into overtime, it was clear LSU gained the upper hand due thanks to their capable kicker. 

The only reason the grade is not worse is because their coverage units did not allow LSU to gain decent yardage via the return game.   

Grade:  D-

Coaching

Nick Saban and Co. made some questionable field goal decisions in the first half. 

The second field goal attempt in particular was tried after a timeout out from over 50 yards after kicker Cade Foster missed a shorter attempt just minutes earlier. 

Furthermore, allowing Maze to return the ensuing punt after hurting his ankle on the previous trick play  were two head-scratching fourth quarter blunders.

Nick Saban is regarded as the best coach in the country by many, but Saturday night, he and his staff were dealt a dose of their own medicine against Les Miles and the LSU staff.

Grade:  C  

Overall

The latest “Game of the Century” installment was a classic matchup of the nation’s two best defenses. 

However, Alabama’s errors on special teams and some questionable moves on offense late in the game turned into the heartbreaking overtime loss to the Tigers.

To Alabama’s credit, again, this game was a war between two elite teams and the Tide defense played well enough to win. 

LSU was the team that executed better in every phase of the game in the fourth quarter and in overtime, ultimately making difference in the game. 

Grade:  B-