Alabama running back Mark Ingram helps Bama run past LSU for the first time in Tuscaloosa since 1999

Saban Bowl III lived up to the hype and LSU made their old coach sweat a bit more than he would have liked too Saturday afternoon. The #9 LSU Tigers led most of the game and had some opportunities to continue their winning streak at Tuscaloosa, but couldn’t pull it out.

Since I give myself some time to write these recaps, I get a chance to read other articles about LSU’s games to see how my thoughts stacked up. A common key play among writers was the incomplete pass, that appeared to be a Patrick Peterson interception to everyone south of the Mason-Dixon line, that Greg McElroy threw with about 7 minutes left in the game. As a result, Alabama took more time off the clock and kicked a field goal, giving the Tide a nine point lead with 3:04 left. Now people can whine till the cows come home about the call and the SEC officiating this season and they can, but think about this.

IF McElroy’s pass was ruled an interception, here is what would have been the situation.

1. LSU ball on their 31 with 6:26, trailing 21-15

2. Jordan Jefferson was out of the game, so Jarrett Lee would have to lead the charge

3. Charles Scott was also knocked out of the game

I doubt LSU would have driven down to score, but that is just speculation. Here are some facts that killed LSU’s chances of winning this game, that weren’t the “interception”.

1. Les Miles going for 2 points when leading 15-10 in the 3rd Quarter with a backup QB and RB

2. Running into the kicker penalty with 7:31 left, LSU trailing by 6, resulted in a 4th and short and Alabama went for it and got it. Bama kicked a FG, went up by 9.

3. LSU burning all three team timeouts in the 2nd half before Alabama’s FG drive in the 4th, including one on a 2nd and 25 with Lee at QB

LSU losing Jordan Jefferson in the 3rd Quarter hurt and it crippled their offensive productivity. Granted, LSU scored their second TD of the game when Lee was in, but they ran the ball five times on that drive, compared to one pass, including a big 34-yard run by Scott and a eight-yard run by Stevan Ridley for the TD. Lee’s three possessions in the 4th Quarter resulted in only ONE first down. Russell Sheppard wasn’t considered ready to play QB by Les Miles and I can only imagine how far behind he is at QB for Jarrett Lee to have to play. Lee threw an Interception for a TD in at least six games last year, I don’t fell like looking it up right now, but I could have sworn he threw one in every game he was in last year. Also, he threw four picks in last year’s matchup vs. Alabama.

LSU’s defense played good enought to beat Alabama. They shutdown the passing game, minus one big pass play, and gave Bama QB Greg McElroy all he could handle with John Chavis’ multiple blitz packages. That known, it took Nick Saban until halfway through the 3rd Quarter to realize he had one of the best run blocking offensive lines in the country and a Heisman candidate at running back. Mark Ingram torched LSU’s defense with 22 carries for 144 yards. Alabama did LSU a favor by only running the ball 38of their 72 plays. They should have run the ball earlier and more often on LSU, instead of running their spread offense nearly the entire game. Alabama did outgain LSU 452-253, but that says more about LSU’s offense than it does about their defense.

LSU corner Patrick Peterson was hurt and played his heart out. The one play Peterson missed, Alabama threw a WR screen to Julio Jones, who took it 73 yards for the score. Peterson smothered Jones the whole game and didn’t let Jones pick them apart like he did last year. Jones didn’t have a great game, but did make a big time play when Bama needed it. Gary Danielson said LSU has the best back 7 in the SEC, and if he’s wrong, it’s not by much. They were all over the Alabama receivers and tackled really well in the open field.

Alabama is a better team than LSU, and both teams were their own worst enemies Saturday, but Alabama’s talent persevered in this game. Alabama appears to be on a crash course with Florida for the second year in a row for the SEC Championship Game. Last year Alabama was #1 and Florida was #2 when they met, it could easily be that again for second year in a row.

LSU has Louisiana Tech next Saturday night in Baton Rouge. Hopefully Jefferson and Scott will be able to be back for that game.