LSU vs Alabama: Five takeaways from the loss to the Tide
The LSU Tigers are now 4-5 and find themselves last in the SEC West division.
They have a big game against Arkansas next Saturday, but before we dive into that game we will wrap up the Alabama game. The Tigers had plenty of opportunities to win this game but just couldn’t make a play or two to regain the lead late in this one.
Despite some of their issues on offense, they had an opportunity for a hail mary as time expired. The ball was batted to the ground and Alabama survived the game. Plenty to unpack from this game so we will start with five observations from the 20-14 loss.
Max Johnson has a lot of improvement needed
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On a night in which the LSU Tigers had the opportunity to shock the world and knock off the No. 2 ranked team in the College Football Playoffs, Max Johnson wasn’t good enough. Two turnovers by the quarterback led to 13 Alabama points. The last one was good enough to put the game away.
The defense gave them an opportunity to win but Johnson was constantly too high on his throws, which didn’t allow receivers to make a play. He overthrew Jack Bech on a fourth down late in the game and another time overthrew his receiver in the end zone for the would-be-go-ahead touchdown.
His pocket presence or lack thereof reared its ugly head on multiple occasions and put the offense in some precarious situations. With Texas A&M and Arkansas left on the schedule, the quarterback has to be better in that aspect as well.
The defense stood tall against the Alabama run game
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)On this night, the LSU front seven was ready for the Alabama running game and Brian Robinson Jr. The defense gave up a total of six net rushing yards on the game. When it came to Robinson specifically, he was bottled up for an average of 1.4 yards per attempt. He was called upon 13 times for just 18 yards but he did find the end zone.
The run defense from LSU was a huge reason why they were able to keep their offense in the game. Roydell Williams was able to get just nine yards on two attempts but that was about it for the Tide’s run game. LSU proved that they can put it all together on the defensive side of the ball, they just need to continue that level of effort moving forward.
LSU needs a receiver to step up
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When your quarterback is sailing passes over your head it is difficult to say wide receivers need to step up, but they do. Since the loss of Kayshon Boutte, there has been no threat of a passing game. The best play of the night came on a fake punt jump throw from Avery Atkins to tight end Jack Mashburn. It was a great play that helped get the first score of the game, but this offense needs more moving forward.
Jack Bech has been the consistent receiver this season outside of Boutte. The Tigers have plenty of other options with Trey Palmer, Brian Thomas Jr, and Jaray Jenkins among others. Someone needs to play at a higher level if LSU gets into another game like this. It could happen next week against Arkansas or in three weeks against the Aggies.
Ty Davis-Price had a huge game
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If there is one player who stood out on offense, it was Ty Davis-Price. He eclipsed the 100-yard mark on 24 carries. His 104 yards were hard-earned in this game and finished with an average of 4.5 yards per attempt. He was asked to get first downs on fourth down attempts quite often, TDP came up in those opportunities.
On one fourth and short attempt, Davis-Price ran 37 yards to get into a goal-to-go situation. It didn’t end in their favor but they were in that position because of the offensive line and vision from their running back. Davis-Price has really stepped up in the last several games, even if it hasn’t always ended with a win for the Tigers.
LSU will show a lot in the next three weeks
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LSU were heavy underdogs against the Florida Gators, they won by seven. They were again heavy underdogs against the Alabama Crimson Tide, they lost by six. Is it just getting up for rivalry games or is this team starting to figure some things out?
That is the big question. Or perhaps they are just so up and down we really can’t get a handle on what is going to happen. Feels like a total crapshoot with the LSU Tigers. Perhaps the next three weeks will give us some sort of inclination.
This team still has an opportunity to get to the postseason with two wins in the final three weeks. Will they become bowl eligible or send their head coach out with barely a wimper?
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