Stifling defense gives No. 4 Alabama its 8th straight win, 20-9 over LSU

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — No. 4 Alabama delivered its best defensive effort in the Southeastern Conference this season and beat LSU 20-9 Saturday night, keeping the Tigers out of the end zone for the first time since the 2012 national championship game.

The Crimson Tide (8-1, 6-0 SEC, No. 4 CFP) allowed just 13 first downs and 232 yards while winning their eighth straight game. Alabama extended its home winning streak to 17 games, the longest in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and remained on track for a berth in the league title game and the College Football Playoff.

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Ty Simpson completed 21 of 35 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown.

Garrett Nussmeier completed 18 of 21 passes for 121 yards for LSU (5-4, 2-4), but he was benched in the third quarter in favor of sophomore Michael Van Buren.

It was a disappointing debut for LSU interim coach Frank Wilson, who took over when Brian Kelly was fired. The Tigers were penalized 10 times and were held to nine points in four trips to the red zone as they lost to the Crimson Tide for the third straight year.

A relatively modest performance for the Alabama offense – 344 total yards – was bolstered by explosive plays. Simpson completed four passes of 30 yards or more in the first half; LSU had only given up five all season before Saturday.

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Survey Implications

Alabama is expected to remain at No. 4 in the upcoming AP Top 25 poll as Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M all won.

Takeaways

LSU: The Tigers have lost three in a row and four of five. With three games remaining and a quarterback change, questions will arise as to who will start for the rest of the season.

Alabama: It wasn’t a dominant performance, but the Tide avoided the upset. They control their destiny for the SEC Championship Game with two conference games remaining.

Injury update

LSU wide receiver Nic Anderson left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury. He returned to the sidelines in the fourth on crutches.

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To be continued

LSU hosts Arkansas next Saturday.

Alabama will host No. 11 Oklahoma next Saturday.

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