LSU’s Saturday night clash with Alabama left coach Brian Kelly openly taking the blame for the Tigers' bruising 42-13 defeat—a game that likely shattered any dreams LSU had for a College Football Playoff appearance this season. The loss brought LSU down to a 6-3 overall record and 3-2 in SEC play, forcing them to confront a significant uphill battle if they want even a sliver of hope at contending for the conference title.
Kelly didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment. Addressing the team’s mindset with the playoffs now nearly out of reach, he said, “We're disappointed in the way we performed. These guys are not like, ‘Hey, we’re out of the playoffs.’ They’re disappointed. And I’m disappointed that we didn’t live up to the standards of LSU football. That affects us more than the damn playoffs.”
For LSU, it wasn’t just about a missed shot at a playoff run—it was about failing to live up to the long-held expectations tied to the team. As Kelly put it, “When you put on a jersey for LSU, there’s a standard of football that those three letters on your jersey represent. It’s a prerequisite, and we didn’t live up to that. That’s the disappointment.”
Preparation, But Costly Mistakes
The Tigers’ matchup against Alabama wasn’t just another game. Coming off an open date, LSU had time to prepare, yet their efforts fell short. They struggled to slow down Alabama’s quarterback Jalen Milroe, who has become somewhat of a thorn in LSU’s side. Milroe bulldozed through LSU’s defense with an impressive 185 rushing yards and four touchdowns, marking his second straight season delivering a stellar ground performance against the Tigers. Last season, Milroe also gave LSU a headache, racking up 155 rushing yards in Alabama’s 42-28 victory over the Tigers.
And it’s not just Milroe that’s been a challenge for LSU. The Tigers have had a tough time containing rushing quarterbacks all season. In a recent loss to Texas A&M, for instance, the Aggies' backup quarterback Marcel Reed replaced Conner Weigman and managed to rush for 62 yards and three touchdowns, leading a spirited comeback against LSU.
Defensive Gaps and Coaching Challenges
Kelly candidly addressed the defensive issues, acknowledging the fans’ frustration: “If you’re watching the game, you’re like, ‘What did these guys do for two weeks?’” The preparation didn’t translate, and Kelly took responsibility, admitting, “We have a scheme to stop the quarterback. We did not get that done, so I take responsibility for it.”
Kelly refrained from getting into too many details on what needs to change defensively, only noting, “We’re not reinventing the wheel when it comes to defending the quarterback. There’s only a couple of ways to defend them.” Without a waiver wire or a demo squad to turn to, Kelly emphasized that they’ll have to maximize the talent they currently have.
This responsibility also reflects the mindset Kelly wants to foster in the locker room—shared accountability. “We own it together, and we’ve got to get it fixed, because it’s been a couple of weeks now,” he said.
Missed Opportunities and Costly Turnovers
When it came to the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier struggled to find his footing, especially in critical moments that could have shifted the game. In the closing minutes of the second quarter, LSU had an opportunity to seize momentum after stopping Alabama on fourth-and-short while trailing just 14-6. But moments later, Nussmeier was sacked and fumbled, with Alabama recovering. Alabama’s Milroe quickly capitalized on the mistake, scoring on a 10-yard run that stretched the lead to 21-6.
The third quarter saw the Tigers with another chance to climb back into contention, driving down the field to the 4-yard line. But again, Nussmeier’s interception in the end zone cost LSU the opportunity to cut Alabama’s lead. On the ensuing possession, Milroe dashed into the end zone, pushing the game further out of reach. Nussmeier ended up with three turnovers for the night, raising his total to six in his past two outings.
Penalties Add Salt to the Wound
Turnovers weren’t LSU’s only struggle; penalties also came at critical times. During Alabama’s game-changing third-quarter drive, LSU initially thought they’d secured a crucial third-down stop, even sacking Milroe. However, a face mask penalty erased the stop, reigniting Alabama’s drive. LSU fans didn’t take this lightly, some even throwing debris on the field after seeing the play replayed on the videoboard.
“If I was in the stands, I wouldn’t be happy,” Kelly remarked, sympathizing with fans but discouraging their actions. “I’m not advocating that you throw anything on the field. But I think it’s like any other venue: I think you should use good judgment.”
Alabama’s Confidence and Celebrations
For Alabama, this victory reaffirmed their presence as contenders, with their coach Kalen DeBoer calling it “probably the most complete game we’ve played.” DeBoer praised Milroe’s performance, especially his “superpower” as a dual-threat quarterback capable of finishing plays with touchdowns rather than just first downs.
Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker echoed DeBoer’s sentiments, noting that the game “sent the message to every team that Alabama can run the football.” Booker highlighted that even though it took a few plays to find their rhythm, the win showed the team’s weekly potential.
After the game, Milroe celebrated with Alabama fans in the stands, who had traveled to support the team. The Crimson Tide’s performance delighted their fans, but LSU fans were less forgiving. One LSU fan, visibly upset with the team’s showing, was reportedly shouting for Kelly to find his way out of Baton Rouge.
LSU’s Response and Refocusing for Florida
Despite the blowout, LSU’s players vowed to refocus and prepare for their next game against Florida. With the season winding down and the chances of a playoff berth slim, Kelly emphasized the importance of getting back to the drawing board. He knows there’s work to do if LSU is going to meet the high standards expected of the team.
“The bottom line is, we didn’t play to the standard of LSU football,” Kelly said. “That’s on me. I’ve got to make sure that we put our players in better positions to succeed, and that’s the work I’ll do.”
As the Tigers move forward, Kelly’s words about LSU’s legacy loom large. The team still has three weeks left to restore pride in the purple and gold, and the disappointment they feel may just fuel a stronger finish to their season.
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