What the dominant Alabama Crimson Tide win over LSU means going forward

Saturday morning began for LSU Bengal Tiger fans with every ESPN GameDay personality picking LSU to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide. Everyone that is, but Nick Saban. In Saturday's Playoff elimination game, one team played like a contender. Alabama destroyed LSU and as a result, thrust itself back into the conversation about legit National Championship contenders.

It is impossible how big the game was supposed to be for LSU. Brian Kelly was portrayed to be unbeatable whenever the Bengal Tigers played at night inside Tiger Stadium. To showcase Kelly's program and make strong pitches about getting on board, 300 recruits were on hand. Sadly for Kelly and LSU, the only thing showcased Saturday night was the dominance of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Well before the end of the third quarter, LSU fans began streaming out of Tiger Stadium. Alabama went to its backups with over seven minutes left in the game. Only then, and not until almost the end, was LSU able to score a touchdown. The LSU program lost more than a football game. As LSU some LSU faithful had worried beforehand, a large portion of hope was lost; and with it, faith in Brian Kelly.

Alabama Crimson Tide returns to National Championship contention

Earlier on Saturday, Ole Miss gained an impressive win over Georgia. After Week 11 games, the SEC's top two trending teams are the Rebels and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Working quickly after Saturday's games, CBS expert Jerry Palm projected Alabama to reach Atlanta after tiebreakers are calculated. Palm also projected the Crimson Tide will beat Texas in the SEC Championship Game and become the CFB Playoff 3-seed. Palm's projection has four SEC teams making the Playoff field. Along with Alabama, his SEC selections are Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee.

Alabama's return to championship contention will sadden many across the world of college football. To some extent, it may surprise even some Alabama fans. The Crimson Tide might not have been flawless in Baton Rouge, but it came close. Credit to Kalen DeBoer, Kane Wommack, Nick Sheridan, and the rest of the Alabama football staff for determined and focused development. On Saturday night, the Crimson Tide was a far better team than than in the September win over Georgia. Alabama flashed again with explosive plays, but more importantly, the Crimson Tide physically dominated LSU.

For all the excitement Alabama provided Saturday night, what comes next is more work. The Mercer, Oklahoma, Auburn finish should take Alabama to 10-2 (as Jerry Palm projects), but Alabama's renewed potential must continue to grow every week. There are good reasons to believe that in December and January, the Crimson Tide can make a championship run.