#1 Alabama survives OT scare at LSU

Nick Saban’s former team gave the Crimson Tide their toughest test of the year, holding the high powered Alabama offense in check for 60 minutes. In overtime, however, a LSU interception allowed Alabama to escape with the win 27-21 and the Tide left Baton Rouge with their #1 ranking and undefeated record intact. The victory also earned Alabama a berth in the SEC championship where they’ll face the winner of the Eastern Division, most likely Florida or Georgia.

Alabama scored first on a 1 yard run by QB John Parker Wilson, but LSU held a 14-7 lead after one quarter on a Jarrett Lee 30 yard pass to Demitrius Bird and a Charles Scott 30 yard run. Alabama managed to tie the score before halftime on a 54 interception return by Rashad Johnson. They went up 21-14 midway through the third when Glen Coffee found the end zone from three yards out. LSU tied the score midway through the fourth on a 1 yard run by Charles Scott. The Bayou Bengals’ Ricky-Jean Francois blocked a potential game winning Alabama field goal as time expired to send the game to OT.

LSU got the ball first in overtime but bungled their offensive series and came away empty handed after Jarrett Lee threw his fourth interception of the game. Alabama only needed three plays to score the winning TD as QB Wilson hit Julio Jones on their first play for a 24 yard gain to the 1 yard line before scoring the winning TD himself on a 1 yard run two plays later. With the victory Alabama moved to 10-0 and snapped a five game losing streak to LSU.

Alabama has dominated its opponents in the first half all season before settling for a 14-14 tie in this game. Prior to Saturday, the Crimson Tide had outscored their opponents 198-26 in the opening half. Still, they demonstrated a lot of grit and toughness in finding a way to win when they weren’t playing their best—an observation validated by Tide coach Nick Saban:

"That was as lethargic a half of football as we have played all year. We just didn't look the same out there. We looked a bunch of guys who were tired."

The Crimson Tide plays 3-6 Mississippi State at home next weekend and will have a week off to prepare for their final significant test of the regular season, the traditional rivalry game against Auburn. While Auburn has struggled to maintain a .500 record all season (currently at 5-5) they are in a position where they can “make their season” with a win in the “Iron Bowl”. Alabama will also have recent history against them, as Auburn has won the last six meetings between the two schools.

With the loss, LSU dropped to 6-3 and the Bayou Bengals have three games remaining beginning with Troy State at home next weekend in a game that was postponed from September 6 in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. LSU will then host Ole Miss on 11/22 before concluding the season six days later at Arkansas.