🏈 GAME THREAD Alabama vs LSU - Tide Shuts Out LSU. In Death Valley. At night.

  • The Bama offense ran more plays in this game than they have all year--79.
  • The 576 yards of offense ranks fourth on the season in terms of total offense this season for Bama.
  • Four receivers with 40+ yards on four or more receptions on the night.
  • Take a peek at the box score and look at Bama's leading tacklers for the night--then consider how many are them were supposed to play for LSU.
  • LSU last scored a TD vs. the Tide at home w/ 2:07 left in the 1Q of Bama’s 20-13 OT win in 2014, a span of 165:07 minutes, during which the Tide has outscored the Tigers 59-6 in Baton Rouge.
 
Seemed like Orgeron threw his players under the bus in his press conference. I do not have the exact quote but he basically said he needed better players on the line to compete with bama. Aren't these kids he recruited? Never seen a coach do that. Maybe he needs to do a better job developing the players he has especially on offense.
Pruitt did the same thing following Tennessee's loss to Bama this season.

A pretty distinct difference in the amount of talent found in Knoxville and that found in Baton Rouge.

@TerryP , you have been saying it since Ogre named him their OC. Ensminger isn't worth a piss as an OC!!! He will help get Ogre fired eventually!!

They were a better offensive team under Miles.
They are no better a defensive team under Aranda than they were Chavis.
 
That the only way for her to get on TV. If it was me controlling that camera. I would had put it on her friend or the dude beside her. But the song goes with her, also Bama fans chanting "WE want Bama!" May be the best of day/night!
 
How does the Bama defensive line never get holding called for them? That's nuts. You'd think with the refs and Birmingham in Bama's pocket there'd be more penalties against their opponents.
Here's at least 2 on the same play..



Beast mode, @UAgrad93

This is the one i saw that the guy had his arm around his middle. Then someone try to take his jersey too!
 
Last LSU OC (Canada) to score versus Alabama was fired. Orgeron promotes Ensminger. How long does this last?

Steve Ensminger's announcement presser from Jan 11, 2018

On LSU playing a championship caliber offense …
“I think we have the talent to play at that level. I really do. We’ve shown that the last few years playing Alabama. The beauty of it is, yesterday was the first time that we sat down as an offensive staff and all we did the whole day yesterday was evaluate our talent and what direction we want to go with this offense. We can take any direction that we want. The thing that I do realize is that we have very talented receivers. The strength of our offense right now is our receivers. We have depth at receivers, which we haven’t had in the last couple of years. I think you watch the game, you look at our talent. I think we have to put three or four wide receivers on the field. I think we have to be an RPO team. We have to be a more fastball team. We have to go no huddle. That’s the direction we are going. I still think that there’s reasons to huddle, then get out of the huddle and go fast again. That’s the decision we have to make. I do know this. I think we are talented at that position. I think we have to put the best talent that we have on the field, and that will be three or four wide out.”

On why he is promoting Ensminger to OC now instead of last year and if he interviewed anybody else …
“I thought about it. I remember my statement; “I’m going to go out and find the best offensive coordinator in the country.” I did. I went out and I did all I could to do the things I have promised the fans. I knew I had Steve Ensminger there and he is a great coordinator. I said to myself, “I have a chance and I know the best offensive coordinator for LSU is Steve Ensminger.” I knew that deep down in my heart and I always knew that. I researched a lot of guys. After my research, I still decided that Steve Ensminger was the best coordinator for LSU.”
 
Did anyone else notice the exorbitant amount of holds the LSU O-line and Defense were getting away with this game? Most of Tua's timing was thrown off by holds and arm-bars all game. Tua definitely had an off-night by his standards as far as accuracy but I'm pretty sure the officials were letting them get away with quite a bit out there. Which I would normally be fine with, but whenever LSU needed a first down, a flag found its way on the field. Deservedly so in most situations, but it seemed like they were overlooking LSU's penalties and just focusing on what they could stick on Bama..weirdly enough
 
Five things we learned from Alabama's statement win over LSU | BamaInsider.com
BATON ROUGE, La. — Alabama clinched the SEC West while proving to the rest of college football it is in a class of its own. The No. 1 Crimson Tide dismantled No. 3 LSU on Saturday night, shutting out the Tigers 29-0 in Death Valley. Here are five things we learned from the game.

1. Alabama made a statement

Before the game, Alabama head coach Nick Saban told his players they had to make a choice: “whether they were going to keep fighting or whether they were going to surrender to the circumstances and situations we were playing out there.”

The Crimson Tide chose to fight. Alabama silenced a once-rowdy Tiger Stadium, sending most of the Tigers faithful to the parking lot with their tails between their legs by the start of the fourth quarter.

Entering the game, some wondered if Alabama could keep up its stellar pace against a highly-ranked team. The Crimson Tide didn’t leave any doubt Saturday night, outgaining LSU 576-196 in total yards while controlling the game from the kickoff. Alabama has recorded 500 or more yards in each of its nine games this season, the longest such streak in school history.

“We really wanted to make a statement in this game,” Saban said. “A lot of people were talking about our schedule, and we have a lot of respect for LSU and their team. I think we played a pretty complete game on both sides of the ball.”


2. Alabama is headed back to Atlanta

After missing out on a trip to Atlanta last season, Alabama will be making its fourth SEC Championship Game appearance in the past five years.

Alabama will face Georgia on Dec. 1 inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the same place the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs during last season’s national championship game. No. 6 Georgia also clinched its spot in the SEC Championship Game Saturday, beating No. 9 Kentucky 34-17 on the road.

Following Alabama’s victory against LSU, Saban had to be informed by reporters that his team had locked up the SEC West title.

“Is that true, because I really didn’t know that,” Saban said. “I thought we had to win one more game, but I guess you guys know more about that than I do. Look, we played a good game here today, aight, and we’re going to have to continue to improve for the game next week. We’re going to play another good team next week. Our focus is going to be on, ‘Hey, you did a great job in this game, and I’m proud of you, but you’ve got to do it again. That’s got to be who we are."

Alabama returns home next week to take on No. 18 Mississippi State.

3. Tua has Heisman moment

Big stage, check. Big win, check. Defining moment, check. Tua Tagovailoa strengthened his Heisman case Saturday, completing 25 of 42 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns against a talented LSU defense. However, despite his big day through the air, the quarterback might have produced his Heisman moment with his feet.

Facing a third-and-8 from the LSU 44-yard line, Tagovailoa tucked the ball and raced untouched to the end zone to break the game open at 22-0 in the third quarter. While it wasn’t the most graceful of runs, he was able to stride past defenders despite wearing a brace on his injured right knee.

“I saw the opening, and I was just trying to get the first down,” Tagovailoa said of the run. “I thought I could go more. Once I passed the 30 though I felt my leg, and I was going off momentum after that. I was galloping to the touchdown.”

The touchdown run is the longest run of Tagovailoa’s career. His previous best was a 23-yard scoring scramble against Tennessee last season.

4. Quinnen Williams leads Alabama’s defensive dominance

Alabama’s high-powered offense has hogged most of the headlines this season. However, the Crimson Tide’s defense didn’t need much help to take down LSU.

Once again, Alabama’s big man made a home in the opposing backfield as defensive tackle Quinnen Williams had a career night, tallying 10 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, with 2.5 sacks. Alabama’s defense tallied a combined 10 tackles for a loss and five sacks while limiting LSU to just 12 rushing yards on 25 carries. Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t fare much better, completing just 18 of 35 passes for 184 yards and an interception.

Alabama has now shut out LSU in back-to-back meetings in Baton Rouge, La., as the Crimson Tide also recorded a 10-0 victory during its last trip to Death Valley in 2016. The home shutout loss was just LSU’s fourth in the past 25 years — all have been courtesy of Alabama.

"They played flawless, I thought,” LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said. "They had a good game plan, and they beat us."

5. Kicking game is still a mess

While Alabama’s offense and defense rolled Saturday night, its kicking game continued to sputter. Joseph Bulovas missed one extra point and had another one blocked, raising Alabama’s season total to six missed extra-point attempts. To put that into perspective, the Crimson Tide only missed three attempts over its previous five seasons.

“Look, there’s no sense in being frustrated, we just need to get it right,” Saban said. “I think the guys are capable. They do it in practice, and they do it very well. They get out here and over kick the ball.

“The first extra point was not the kicker’s fault; the holder mishandled the snap. The second one we kicked low, which was an issue.”

Bulovas connected on his only field-goal attempt, knocking a 23-yarder through the uprights in the second quarter. On the season, the redshirt freshman is 9 of 13 (69.2 percent) on field goals and 49 of 52 (94.2 percent) on extra points.

“We have a guy who’s capable, and we have to do a good job of helping him technically get better and gain confidence so he can go out there and do a great job for us.”​
1 Tony_Tsoukalas, Yesterday at 10:23 PM
Last edited: Today at 7:47 AM
 
Henderson: Three Observations after 29-0 win over LSU | BamaInsider.com
1. Alabama’s defense

While the season glory has revolved around Alabama’s offense, tonight Alabama’s defense was outstanding. Posting a 29-0 shutout over the No. 3 ranked LSU Tigers was just what the college football committee and the rest of the country needed to see, this team is on another level on both sides of the football.

LSU’s offense was stagnant all night long and finally passed the 100-yard mark in the beginning of the fourth quarter. In total, Alabama’s defense held LSU’s offense to 196-yards and just 12 rushing yards. 12. Against, Tennessee Alabama allowed 31-yards of rushing yards, and while sacks take away rushing yards, LSU’s leading rusher Ed Helaire ran for 6 carries for just 14-yards.

Passing wise, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked five times, and that hit from Anfernee Jennings nearly implanted Burrow into the turf.

2. Top Performers

Quinnen Williams was unreal on the evening. He had 10 tackles, 7 which were solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for a loss. Dylan Moses, as well as Mack Wilson each, played well on the night, the inside linebacker duo recorded 10 tackles. Freshman Patrick Surtain played big and battled a ball away from a defender that could have been a touchdown. Saivion Smith playing against his former teammates at LSU had 6 tackles and 2 pass breakups, one which he should have caught and taken to the house.

Offensively, Tua Tagovailoa was 25 of 42 passing for 295-yards with 2 touchdowns and threw his first interception of the year. He also ran for 49-yards, which includes his 44-yard touchdown run. While he did miss on some deep balls, credit LSU’s secondary for playing well most of the evening, the Tigers have an outstanding group back there.

Damien Harris was exceptional on the night and played like an NFL back. He ran the football 19 times for 107-yards with a touchdown. This was Harris’ best game as a member of the Crimson Tide in my opinion. Jerry Jeudy did what Jerry Jeudy does: Make big plays. He caught 8 passes for 103-yards and made defenders look silly at times.

The offensive line played very well and only allowed one sack on the evening. Jonah Williams, I would imagine grades out very high come Sunday.

3. The kicking game

I simply cannot wrap my head around this. How does the number one team in the country have such a terrible kicking game? More specifically, the PAT unit needs a revamp. Alabama has missed now six PATs this year, the first missed PAT on the night was on Mac Jones, he bobbled the ball. The second missed PAT was a low kick.

I would really hate to see Alabama have to make a PAT with the game on the line. I think if Alabama is ever in that scenario, they should put Tua in, and just go for two.

The good news is that punter Mike Bernier is serviceable. Tonight he punted four times for 131-yards with an average of 32.8. It does not have to be pretty, just punt the ball.

Game Notes from Alabama

NOTES
GAME CAPTAINS: Alabama’s captains against LSU tonight were linebacker Anfernee Jennings, linebacker Christian Miller and offensive lineman Jonah Williams.

DEFENSIVE NOTES
SCORING DEFENSE AT TIGER STADIUM: The Alabama defense has not surrendered a touchdown in its last 11 quarters of play (and one overtime possession) at Tiger Stadium. LSU last found the end zone at home against the Tide with a touchdown pass at the 2:07 mark of the first quarter in UA’s 20-13 overtime win over the Tigers in 2014, a span of 165 minutes and seven seconds. The Tide has outscored the Tigers 59-6 over those 11 quarters in Baton Rouge.

CAREER NIGHT FOR QUINNEN WILLIAMS: Defensive lineman Quinnen Williams turned in a career performance against LSU. The sophomore tallied career highs in tackles (10) and sacks (2.5) and equaled his career high in tackles for loss (3.5) to lead an Alabama defense that limited LSU to 196 yards in total offense.

DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLES FOR LOSS: Alabama’s 10 tackles for loss against LSU tonight marks the fourth time this season the Crimson Tide has reached double digits in stops behind the line of scrimmage. UA had 11 tackles for loss at Tennessee on Oct. 20, 10 against Texas A&M on Sept. 22 and 11 against Louisville on Sept. 1.

TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS: Mack Wilson’s fourth quarter end zone interception tonight gives the Crimson Tide at least one forced turnover in 51 of its last 53 games dating to the start of the 2015 season. During the current run, the Crimson Tide has forced 90 turnovers (62 interceptions, 28 fumbles) and returned 21 of those miscues for touchdowns.

FIRST HALF RUSHING DEFENSE: Alabama limited LSU to -1 yards rushing in the first half, marking the second consecutive game UA has held an opponent to a negative rushing total in the opening half. The Crimson Tide limited Tennessee to -13 yards rushing in the first half of the Tide’s 58-21 win on Oct. 20, the lowest total allowed by the Crimson Tide this season.

OFFENSIVE NOTES
NINTH CONSECUTIVE 500+ YARD TOTAL OFFENSE GAME: Alabama’s 576 yards in total offense against LSU marks the ninth time the Crimson Tide has topped 500 yards this season and the 21st time in the last 53 games dating to the start of the 2015 campaign. This is Alabama’s first nine-game run of 500-yard total offense performances in program history.

DRIVES UNDER A MINUTE: Alabama’s 27-second, second-quarter touchdown drive vs. LSU tonight was the Tide’s 21st scoring drive of less than a minute this season. Twelve of those drives have lasted less than 30 seconds. Alabama led the nation with 20 quick score drives entering play this weekend.

FIRST HALF TOTAL OFFENSE: With 325 total yards in the first two quarters against LSU this evening, Alabama is now averaging 365.3 yards in total offense in the first half this season (3,288 yards in nine games).

FIRST HALF SCORING: Through nine games this season, Alabama is outscoring its opponents, 326-58 (36.2-6.6), in the first half. That total includes a 171-31 (19.0-3.4) first quarter advantage and a 155-27 (17.2-3.0) difference in the second quarter.

TAGOVAILOA VS. SEC: In six games against Southeastern Conference opponents this season, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown for 1,778 yards and 19 touchdowns with one interception on 99-of-151 passing (.656) for an efficiency rating of 204.67.

TUA AT THE HELM: Sophomore Tua Tagovailoa has directed 72 drives as the Tide’s starting quarterback this season with 45 resulting touchdowns (62.5 percent) and six culminating in field goals for 51 total scoring drives (70.8%). In those drives, the Tide offense is 36-for-57 (63.2 percent) on third down conversions, accounting for 3,555 yards on 390 snaps for an average of 9.12 yards per play and 328 of the 417 points scored by the UA offense.

SINGLE SEASON TOUCHDOWN PASSES: With two touchdown passes against LSU this evening, Tua Tagovailoa now has 27 in nine games this season, which ranks No. 4 on the Alabama single-season touchdown list. AJ McCarron is the UA leader with 30 in 2012. McCarron (2013) and Blake Sims (2014) are tied for second with 28.

TAGOVAILOA CAREER-LONG RUN: Tua Tagovailoa’s 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against LSU tonight is the longest run of his career. His previous best was a 23-yard scoring scamper against Tennessee in 2017.

TAGOVAILOA FIRST HALF PASSING: Through nine games, Tua Tagovailoa has thrown for 1,993 yards and 24 touchdowns with one interception on 112-of-158 passing (70.9 pct.) for an efficiency rating of 225.70.

LAST FIVE FIRST HALVES FOR TAGOVAILOA: Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa is 66-for-97 (68.0 percent) with 1,188 yards passing and 14 touchdowns in the first half of his last five games (vs. Louisiana, at Arkansas, vs. Missouri, at Tennessee, at LSU) for a passing efficiency rating of 216.46.

TAGOVAILOA PASSES WITHOUT AN INTERCEPTION: Tua Tagovailoa’s second quarter interception tonight was his first of the season and snapped a streak of 194 consecutive passes without an interception. The streak was the second-longest in school history. AJ McCarron holds the UA record with 291 consecutive passes from 2011-12.

DAMIEN HARRIS OVER 100 YARDS FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS SEASON: Damien Harris’ 107 yards rushing against LSU gave the senior his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and the ninth of his career. Harris now has 2,736 yards rushing for his career to move into ninth place on the UA career rushing list.​
Kyle Henderson
Kyle@BamaInsider.com
 
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