Welcome everyone to another edition of #4Downs!
1st Down: Fournette Exposed?
One of the big stories coming out of this game is that Leonard Fournette was held to 31 yards on 19 carries. Perhaps it was that Alabama did their homework and knew how he likes to run and filled the box and made sure to stuff Fournette before he got into second gear. Even more interesting is looking back at the 2014 matchup between the Tide and the Tigers. Fournette had 21 carries for 79 yards in that matchup. Perhaps Saban now knows what to do to stop one of the best players in the nation.
2nd Down: Perfect No More
In what was the definitive turning point of the game, Brandon Harris threw his first interception since 2014. Harris had been looking like a solid quarterback in the weeks leading to the highly-anticipated matchup. But the Alabama front seven made the LSU offensive line look like a high school O-Line, putting pressure on Harris on virtually every snap. But on that first play from scrimmage to open the second half, the momentum that the Tigers had at the end of the half went away as quickly as it came.
3rd Down: Does Saban have Miles figured out?
It seems like it. Saban is one of the best coaches in the modern era, and can out-coach almost every head coach in college football. The Tide under Saban has only lost three matchups against the Tigers, which says a lot. In the days leading up to this game, it seemed that if there was any time for the Tigers to beat Saban’s Crimson Tide it would be now. But Saban further proved once again that he owns Les Miles by capitalizing on the mistakes that LSU made and taking advantages of the holes this squad has.
4th Down: Are the College Football Playoff Hopes Dashed?
Honestly, it could go either way right now. Alabama has Mississippi State, a team that gave LSU trouble early on in the season next week, and this could be much like their previous matchup. But the Tigers aren’t out of the woods either with Arkansas who has been surprisingly good against SEC opponents this year, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss are still on the slate. Anything is possible, and there’s plenty of football left to play. This will be a fun finish to the season no matter the final outcome.
-Clint Domingue