Tide rolls in Death Valley, dominates LSU in 42-13 victory

The Alabama Crimson Tide kept its season and playoff hopes alive in decisive fashion on Saturday night, dominating the LSU Tigers for a 42-13 victory in an environment that was as loud and hostile as the team will ever face.

It didn’t remain loud for long however as Jalen Milroe’s legs became the difference maker for the Alabama offense, setting the tone early in the game and throughout the night. The Tide got started with an opening drive score capped off by a Milroe 39-yard rushing touchdown where he disappeared from everyone:

After giving up a big rush on the ensuing LSU drive, Alabama’s defense held firm – as it did all night – to force a Tigers field goal. The Tide got the ball back and went on one of its most impressive drives of the season, converting three third down attempts en route to a 1-yard Justice Haynes touchdown

The Third down conversions were a prelude to the night and eerily reminiscent of last year’s matchup against LSU as the Tide converted 10 of its 13 third down attempts on the game.

After a stalemate for a large portion of the second quarter, Milroe struck again on the ground near the end of the half to put Alabama up 21-6 at halftime, capitalizing on a forced fumble by the defense which set the Tide up in good field position:

After deferring the opening kickoff to the second half, LSU started the second frame with the ball and looked like they were about to score and make it a ballgame before a Deontae Lawson interception on the goal line stopped the Tigers in their tracks, and from there the rout was on:

Milroe found the end zone for the third time of the night late in the third quarter, this time from 19 yards out:

But he wasn’t done from there, making the biggest play of the night on the ensuing drive and making the defense look foolish on his way to a 72-yard scamper for his fourth touchdown of the night and to put Alabama up 35-6 on the first play of the fourth quarter:

Milroe finished the night with 185 rushing yards on 12 carries and the four scores.

The Tide put the ball in the end zone one more time for good measure toward the end of the night and left Baton Rouge with a statement victory that this team is not done yet and still capable of beating anyone in the country by a wide margin when they’re playing their best football.

Up next is a matchup with Mercer next week at home before the final stretch on the road against Oklahoma and at home for the Iron Bowl.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Op”ning Kickoff” on WN”P-FM 105.5, available free online.