The Crimson Tide won, 24-15, in Tuscaloosa in a bruising battle against the LSU Tigers this Saturday that sent several of the LSU Tigers to the sidelines with injuries.  Even though it took a while to hit paydirt, in my opinion Bama played lights out football against an SEC juggernaut ranked at #9 in the country.  Even with it being ahome game, for us to walk away victorious was very satisfying.  The win sealed the deal for a trip the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. 

The rest on the bye paid off big time as the well-rested Tide players relied on the endurance built up in the heat of July's 4th quater conditioning program.  It was very apparent that the LSU players getting leg cramps etc. were being worn down by the brutal Alabama attack on offense and defense.  The defense yielded only 9 yards in the fourth quarter and the offense.. the offense finishing out with 452 yards against one of the nation’s top-ranked defenses. 

On offense, the magic seems to be back as Mark Ingram and Julio Jones had good games.  Jones struck in the 4th with a 73-yard touchdown catch on a quick screen pass.  The play was electric and it may be a good sign that the Julio of old is back.  Mark Ingram put on a show on CBS for the Heisman voters by RB Mark Ingram had 144 rushing yards (106 in the 2nd half) and finsihed with five catches for 30 yards.  Even McElroy broke out of a slump as he chucked the football downfiled numerous times that seemed to open the running game up in the second half.   McElroy threw the football for 276 yards on 19-of-34 passing, his best performance since his 291-yard effort in the Arkansas game on Sept. 26. In fact, the yardage total was more than the past two game combined.  

Let's not forget that Leigh Tiffin has been invaluable n the kicking game as well.  When he started as a freshman, he has some shaky moments like the two misses in the loss to Arkansas of that year, but since... he has become like gold.  He keeps rising in value.  In the LSU game, he  set a school career scoring record with three field goals and an extra point.  The result was the difference in the game.   Without him, we might have lost by a point.  You never know.   His name is now at the top of the Alabama scoring list above Phillip Doyle, and I would feel very confident if the national or SEC championship game come down to a 50 yards kick and his toe.  He is that good. 

 The defense held LSU to only 253 total yard for the game and 95 running.  The Ti­gers were held to just 9 total yards on 11 plays in a fourth quarter.   Also, LSU went three-and-out on six of its 11 possessions.  The Tide defense was stout as usual and when you compare the numbers to the LSU / Florida match, Bama actually won out on both sides of the ball. 

Overall, it was an outstanding win for the Tide over the LSU Tigers!  

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