It wasn't flashy, and it wasn't always pretty, but Alabama got the job done once again -- this
time in a physical 20-9 win over the LSU Tigers on Saturday night. Inside Bryant-Denny
Stadium, the Crimson Tide leaned on defense, discipline, and timely playmaking from
quarterback Ty Simpson to secure another important rivalry victory.
The story of the night was Alabama's defense. The Tide held LSU without a touchdown, limiting the Tigers to just three field goals and controlling the line of scrimmage throughout the game. It was vintage Alabama football -- hard-nosed, disciplined, and relentless.
Every time LSU threatened to build momentum, the defense bowed up and forced a stop. The secondary was physical, the linebackers tackled in space, and the defensive front created steady pressure that kept LSU's offense off balance. It was the kind of defensive performance that wins championships. Alabama's defensive line did a solid job against LSU, holding the Tigers to just 59 total rushing yards and 2.3 yards per attempt. The Tide entered the game as the top red-zone defense in the SEC, and that strength showed again on Saturday night. This defense fits the label of "bend but don't break" -- they may give up some yardage between the 20s, but once opponents get into the red zone, Alabama plays some of its best football.
They're becoming a fun group to watch. The crowd and atmosphere inside Saban Field at Bryant-Denny were electric from start to finish. The noise level clearly impacted LSU's communication, resulting in multiple false starts and drive-killing mistakes. The Tigers finished with 10 penalties for 74 yards, a direct reflection of the crowd's influence and the energy inside the stadium. It was one of those nights where the fans truly made a difference -- and they helped keep LSU's offense out of sync for four quarters. Discipline was also a major storyline. Alabama finished with just two penalties for 25 yards, one of the team's cleanest outings of the season. In a rivalry known for emotional swings, that kind of composure speaks volumes about this team's focus under Kalen DeBoer. And, of course, beating LSU is always good business in Tuscaloosa. Rivalry wins matter -- and Alabama once again reminded the Tigers which program sets the standard in the SEC.
The bad came on offense. Alabama's attack remained inconsistent for much of the game. There were flashes of rhythm, but stalled drives and missed opportunities kept the Tide from pulling away.
Ty Simpson, who threw for 277 yards, wasn't satisfied afterward. He admitted in post-game media availability that he wasn't happy with his performance -- but at the end of the night, he still made enough plays to guide his team to victory. Alabama just lacked rhythm on offense, and I'll be honest -- I expected more coming off the bye week. It's fair to wonder if this team might have been looking ahead to next week's revenge game against Oklahoma.
Connor Talty's missed 26-yard field goal also falls into this category. The snap appeared a bit
high, but that's a kick Alabama needs to make. Those short attempts have to be automatic in SEC play. To his credit, Talty did connect on two field goals from beyond 40 yards, showing his leg strength and resilience after the early miss.
We knew coming into the season that the rushing attack wasn't going to be a major strength, but it's becoming a serious concern. The Crimson Tide averaged just 2.2 yards per carry, and starting running back Jam Miller managed only 1.6 yards per attempt. Ty Simpson admitted after the game that the offense "lacked confidence" in the rushing attack -- and after nine games, it's hard to argue. This isn't suddenly going to become a dominant ground
game, but Alabama must find a way to get that average up significantly if it wants to be a team capable of adding hardware to the trophy cabinet. The numbers tell the story -- Alabama finished with just 56 total rushing yards, and that lack of balance continues to limit the offense's ceiling.
It was a nostalgic night inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, as Bobby Humphrey and Cornelius
Bennett returned as honorary captains. Seeing those legends back on the field brought back
memories of Alabama football in the 1980s -- a time when toughness and tradition defined the program. In addition, Antonio Langham was recognized during an in-stadium salute for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, becoming the 21st Crimson Tide player to earn that honor. Because of his coaching responsibilities, this was one of Langham's first opportunities to be back in Tuscaloosa for an Alabama home game to receive that recognition. There were plenty of other familiar faces around, too -- a reminder of how much this game means to former players. I even spotted Julio Jones in the press box during halftime. Many former players make the short walk to Nick Saban's suite, which sits not far from the media area.
Nights like this show that Alabama football is more than a game -- it's a brotherhood. Let's hope this type of atmosphere and physical win motivates this team to tighten the details, regain some offensive balance, and get ready for a tough, rested Oklahoma team that's had two weeks to prepare for the Crimson Tide.
I still believe in this team, but I'd like to see sharper execution against Oklahoma to reestablish
my confidence that this group can do real damage in the postseason. I'll be shocked if we don't see that type of momentum-building performance next weekend. I'll have more on this win Monday at 2 p.m. on The Game with Ryan Fowler on Tide 100.9 and at Tide1009.com. I'm looking forward to hearing your takes during our weekly Good, Bad, and Ugly segment, presented by Daniel Moore Art.