Alabama Football: Who says the Crimson Tide can’t win shootouts?
By Ronald Evans
All through the season Alabama Football has been said to be a team that could not win shootouts. As long as 70 total points still qualify as a shootout game, the Crimson Tide showed it could win one Saturday night.
In terms of how the game played out, it can be said the LSU ‘O’ appeared to be too much, but the Crimson Tide ‘O’ proved to be too much more.
Before Alabama football fans conclude the Crimson Tide is ready to outscore other explosive offenses, we might need to remember how bad LSU is defensively. Alabama Football gained 507 yards on LSU. Earlier in the season the LSU defense surrendered 706 yards to Ole Miss.
Still, Alabama Crimson Tide fans have reason to celebrate. Leading up to the game, many in the pundit world claimed LSU would win, as Aaron Murray said,
"LSU is going to win this game I don’t care how bad the defense is, Alabama won’t be able to keep up in a shootout"
A big reason why the Crimson Tide offense produced against LSU was third down execution. The Crimson Tide converted 11 of 14 third downs. Such efficiency (78.6%) will win lots of football games.
Alabama Football: Kevin Steele
Not to be overlooked, is for all the damage Jaden Daniels did to the Crimson Tide defense, LSU only scored seven second-half points. Under the direction of Kevin Steele Alabama has made a habit of shutting down SEC offenses in the second half of games. Combined, LSU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss scored 13 second-half points on the Crimson Tide.
After the game Tide defensive back, Terrion Arnold was asked what Kevin Steele said to the defense at the break.
"If I told you what coach Steele said at halftime, they wouldn’t let me do media anymore."
One other point should be made and it is not insignificant. Tommy Rees had an excellent game plan and against his old boss, he called a great game. Offensively, Alabama in November does not compare to Alabama in September. Jalen Milroe has improved exponentially and Rees deserves credit. With an offensive line maturing into a unit providing more strength than weakness, the Crimson Tide has become a team that can put up points. There is good reason to believe in the next month, the Crimson Tide offense will grow even more productive.
Next. How bad is the LSU defense?. dark
Alabama can clinch a trip to Atlanta in Lexington on Saturday.