LSU Holds off Bama, win in a shootout
Joe Burrow led LSU to a commanding road win over powerhouse Alabama on Saturday with a victory of 46-41. LSU stays perfect while the Crimson Tide suffered their first loss of the season. Many regarded this as the “game of the year” and it did not disappoint. Let’s analyze how the game of the year played out.
Game Recap
From the start, LSU took command of the line of scrimmage, taking a 33-13 lead by halftime. The Tigers did a good job of getting to star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who came into this game on a bad ankle. Joe Burrow, who has emerged as the Heisman Trophy favorite, was near perfect in the first half, only having one incompletion in the first half. On the day, Burrow finished the day 31/39 for 393 yards and 3 touchdowns. LSU looked poised to pull away, but Bama never said die in this game. While the Crimson Tide fell short, they outscored LSU 28-13 in the second half behind Tua’s arm and Najee Harris’ legs. After an up and down first half, Tagovailoa stormed back in the second half, finishing the game with 418 yards and 4 touchdowns. With 2:20 left in the game, Clyde Edwards-Helaire scored a seven-yard rushing touchdown to go up 46-34 and put the dagger on a game in which they never were trailing in.
Joe Burrow
While this was a team win, Joe Burrow stood out in this game, and on the year in general. The former Ohio State quarterback who never got a chance was nearly perfect in this game. He controlled the tempo, scrambled out of trouble and looked poised no matter how much pressure was thrown in his face. His success runs much deeper than this game. On the season, the 6’4”, 216-pound senior has 3,198 yards, 33 TD and only 4 INT in 9 games. Burrow is 4th in the country in QBR also. He has led his team to impressive wins over Texas, Florida, Auburn, and now Alabama. If Burrow keeps winning and playing like this, I do not see anyone coming close to him in the Heisman race.
Looking Ahead
With the loss, Alabama’s hopes of being in the College Football Playoff are not completely damaged, but it definitely made a dent. The Tide are staring at a No. 4 or 5 rank right now, depending on what the committee feels about teams like Georgia and Oregon. The Penn St loss will help them a lot. With a game against Auburn and possibly no chance at winning the SEC, the Crimson Tide will have their work cut out for them. As for LSU, their chances of making the playoff are almost guaranteed. The toughest task they will have is a 6-3 Texas A&M team and the SEC championship game (if they win out) against either Georgia or Florida. If they win out and lose the SEC championship, it likely won’t be enough to keep them out of the top four.
Projected top 25
LSU
Ohio State
Clemson
Alabama
Georgia
Oregon
Utah
Minnesota
Oklahoma
Penn St
Baylor
Florida
Auburn
Wisconsin
Michigan
Notre Dame
Iowa
SMU
Cincinnati
Boise St
Memphis
Navy
Wake Forest
Texas
Oklahoma State
-By: Richie Dordas
Blogger/ Interviewer