LSU didn't have a chance to upset Alabama this week. Not with all the injuries. Not with a head coach on his way out the door. Not in Tuscaloosa.
Nobody told the Tigers, apparently, who kept the Crimson Tide hanging over the ledge until the final possible moments. But Max Johnson's final heave fell incomplete. It would've have counted even if it'd been caught, but still represented the full game pressure LSU pinned on Alabama despite entering as four-touchdown underdogs.
In the end it was Alabama (8-1, 5-1 SEC) hanging on for the 20-14 win and keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive. LSU falls again, dropping 4-5, 2-4 SEC. But there was no laying down for the Tigers in Tuscaloosa.
With all that in mind, here are my three top takeaways from xxxx, the first being exactly that.
BALL INSECURITY
Ed Orgeron laid out some pretty clear keys for LSU to leave Tuscaloosa with a win this weekend. The first word out of his mouth as he went through them: "Turnovers."
LSU entered as a 28.5-point underdog for some obvious reasons. That number didn't matter much to the Tigers' coach, but he knew the only way his squad was pulling the upset would start with winning the turnover battle. LSU didn't do that.
It's difficult to pin the first turnover on Max Johnson. The ball appeared to be on target with a quality throw. But Alabama linebacker Christian Harris made an even better play to knock it away, and it flew directly into the hands of DB Jalyn Armour-Davis. Alabama scored a few plays later.
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The next turnover was on a ball stripped from the arms of running back Ty Davis-Price. Alabama scored on a long bomb to Jameson Williams a few plays later. LSU's defense forced three straight 3-and-outs to give the offense a chance. But never could force a key turnover down the stretch. LSU's lone takeaway came in the 4th quarter and set up a potential go-ahead drive.
There was a lot more to the equation than -1, but Orgeron was on the money. The turnover battle played a pivotal role. LSU lost that, and lost the game.
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A PROUD DEFENSE
It's a cliche, but cliches exist for a reason: LSU's defense showed pride in this one.
They're in a bad situation. A majority of its key players are out with injuries, particularly in the secondary. The pass-rush is a shell of the group that once led the NCAA in sacks. Look at any position and you'll see the impact.
But the players on the field can't blame bad tape on players who aren't on it. These games matter, even in a lost season. The Tigers defensive group, led by the always-impressive Damone Clark. Despite all those challenges, they stumped Alabama at most turns. The Tigers offense was delivered the ball often, and after the opening drive was simply unable to do much with it.
Two of the scores contributing to a 20-7 Alabama lead in the third quarter came immediately after turnovers. The quick change defense was exposed, but an underdog has to play complementary football. LSU didn't.
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NOTHING TO LOSE
Ed Orgeron made it clear this week that LSU was past the point of holding anything back. Settling for chip shot field goals and punts wasn't going to be a winning recipe in Tuscaloosa.
We saw that often in this one. The Tigers' scoring drive to open the game came after a nifty fake punt-pass to Jack Mashburn. The Tigers' best drive of the third quarter was initiated by a 4th-down conversion. It appeared the Tigers were going on 4th down on a previous drive, but the play clock expired. The Tigers converted on their first four 4th down attempts, with Davis-Price even breaking one for a 37-yard run. The fifth was a chance in the red zone to take the lead after a fumble was overturned into an incomplete pass on review.
The 6th was late in the 4th quarter in Alabama territory. It'd be tough to argue with any of those decisions.
While the opponent was probably a factor, it's also something LSU's coach should have no concern left over doing. Job security isn't a factor. He's coaching to win as many football games as he can before he walks out the door.
There's a case to be made that if he'd settled for a field goal in the red zone, a tie could've been in the cards. But Orgeron isn't playing for overtime. Trick plays. Fake punts. 4th down gambles. You name it, the answer is going to be: Why not?
This season might not be headed anywhere lofty. There are no moral victories. But this LSU team, under these circumstances, going (mostly) toe-to-toe with Alabama feels like one, anyway.