TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — LSU’s failure to adjust to Alabama’s changed strategy at halftime led to a second half explosion by Alabama, when the Crimson Tide grabbed the game by the throat.
The Tigers (7-3, 3-3 Southeaster Conference) fell 38-17 to the Crimson Tide (9-0, 6-0 SEC). LSU kept pace with Alabama in the first half, after a late drive just before halftime brought the Tigers within three points of the Tide. Following a gutsy 10-play, 80-yard drive led by senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger, the Tigers only trailed 17-14 going into halftime.
“I watched individual effort, and the effort was good,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “I thought our team fought and I think they are stung right now. I don’t think they are happy about it all.”
But at halftime, the Alabama coaching staff made adjustments, while the LSU coaching staff failed to recognize the adjustments they needed to make.
In the first half, LSU outgained Alabama 232 yards to 193 and held the ball for 15 minutes and 38 seconds, compared to 14 minutes and 22 seconds for the Tide.
But LSU gained only 52 yards in the second half and lost a total of 9 yards in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers’ second-half struggles stemmed from their inability to run the ball, and the lack of a consistent running game put them in many third-and-long situations. Before halftime, the Tigers converted six of their seven third- down chances, but they only converted one of their five attempts in the second half.
Alabama started blitzing often, and the Tigers’ offense never adjusted to the added pressure, said junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry.
“We couldn’t convert,” Landry said. “We couldn’t protect Zach, based on the scheme we just couldn’t execute in those situations.”
Alabama sacked Mettenberger four times, including three straight drop-backs on the Tigers’ final drive and last attempt to get back into the game. Alabama was also credited with two additional quarterback hurries.
After the final sack of the game, Mettenberger struggled to get to his feet and crawled a few yards before finally standing up and getting off the field.
“They did a good job of scheming all over,” said sophomore running back Jeremy Hill. “They made the right adjustments when we made our checks.”
The majority of the plays LSU made against the Alabama defense stemmed from mistakes in Crimson Tide coverage, not good plays by LSU weapons, according to Alabama junior cornerback Jarrick Williams.
Alabama’s first drive of the second half lasted almost eight minutes, and the Tide ran the ball down LSU’s throat, calling running plays on 12 of the drives’ 14 plays.
“It wasn’t perfect, and we didn’t play great in the first half,” said Alabama coach Nick Saban. “But there was a lot of character out there in the second half to control the line of scrimmage the way we did on offense.”
Control of the line of scrimmage allowed sophomore T.J. Yeldon to gain 136 yards on 25 carries. The Tide rushed for a total of 193 yards on the night, the most the Tigers have given up since their 59-26 win against Mississippi State on Oct. 5.
“We came out and did our job,” said Alabama junior wide receiver Kevin Norwood. “[Saban] told us to put our foot down and play hard and physical, because LSU was going to give it their all. We made a promise to each other we were just going to go out and play Alabama football.”
Alabama’s run game was boosted by LSU players missing tackles and Yeldon making guys miss after he hit the hole, Miles said.
Although the Tigers were only competitive for two quarters and the Tide have won the last three head-to-head matchups, Mettenberger said he doesn’t believe a talent gulf has developed between the two teams.