If Alabama was out for revenge, then they got it with authority. No. 1 Alabama (9-0, 9-0 SEC) was in complete control of LSU (3-5, 3-5 SEC) on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. A year after losing to LSU in Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s offense was ready to clobber LSU in Baton rouge. They did just that with a 55-17 victory to remain in the driver’s seat to the SEC championship and a possible national championship.
Alabama quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Mac Jones was precise and efficient. Jones came out of the game early in the fourth quarter to end his night completing 20-of-28 for 385 yards and four touchdowns. Alabama receiver and Louisiana native DeVonta Smith had a monster game with eight receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns, including a one-handed grab for a score late in the first half to push Alabama’s halftime lead to 45-14.
LSU’s defense showed some improvement in the last couple of games, but defensive coordinator Bo Pelini could not find any answers for the Alabama offense from the jump. Alabama scored touchdowns on each of their first five possessions and scored points on each of their first-half possessions with one field goal working its way into breaking up Alabama’s perfect touchdown streak.
If there was a turning point in the game, it came at the end of LSU’s first offensive series. After Alabama opened the game with a 75-yard touchdown drive, LSU worked its way into the red zone. On fourth down with one yard to go from the Alabama 15-yard line, Ed Orgeron opted to go for the first down rather than attempt to put some points on the scoreboard. But Alabama swallowed up Tyrion Davis-Price for a stop and five plays later the Crimson Tide took a 14-0 lead. The Alabama defense forced a three-and-out on LSU’s ensuing possession and the Alabama offense took a commanding 21-0 lead. The game was never in doubt.
Alabama’s 55 points scored is a new high for either team in the long-standing history of this rivalry. The previous record had been 46 points, scored by LSU a year ago. This was also the third-largest margin of victory for Alabama over LSU in the series. Alabama largest margins of victory over LSU are by 44 points (1922, 47-3) and 42 points (1925; 42-0). What a difference a year can make.
LSU quarterback TJ Finley completed 14-of-28 for 143 yards and a touchdown. The big play of the night for the LSU offense came on a pass from Finley to Kayshon Boutte, who dropped the football before crossing the goal line. Jontre Kirklin made what was ruled an immediate recovery for the score, letting Boutte off the hook this time.
Alabama’s win over LSU clinched the SEC West Division for Nick Saban and the Crismon Tide. Alabama will now face the Florida Gators, who clinched the SEC East Division title earlier in the day with a win over Tennessee.
LSU, on the other hand, fell to 3-5 on the season with just two games remaining on the regular-season schedule. Next week will see LSU face the Gators in a game that was rescheduled from a postponement earlier this season. A loss would clinch a losing record for LSU in 2020. LSU has not had a losing season since 1999, the final season under former head coach Gerry DiNardo. LSU made a coaching change after that 1999 season, hiring none other than Saban.
What does LSU football’s bowl game history look like over the past 20 years?