In a Grinder, It Was Alabama That Got Too Cute

#1 vs #2 lived up to the hype.

The LSU Tigers emerged from Bryant Denny Stadium last night victorious in overtime over the Alabama Crimson Tide 9-6.  The win was the fourth road victory over a ranked opponent for the Tigers in 2011.  It has also put the Tigers in the driver's seat for a spot in the National Championship game in New Orleans.

There are a number of things than can, and will, be discussed and over analyzed over the next several days (keeping Marquis Maze in the game for the punt return with a bum ankle, the Jefferson/Lee management by Miles, bringing Shelley in for the third long field goal attempt, etc.) but one thing stands out over everything in my eyes.

LSU, and more specifically head coach Les Miles, had the reputation for gimmicks and crazy plays but it was Alabama that tried to get cute in this game and it cost them.

This Bama fan could not believe the Tide's late game play calling

The first instance came on Alabama's first possession of the fourth quarter after LSU had tied the game at 6 on a Drew Alleman 30 yard field goal.  The Tide responded by quickly moving 47 yards in 5 plays down to the LSU 28 yard line.  Trent Richardson had just ripped off a 24 yard run and seemed to be getting into a rhythm.  On first down Alabama called for Maze to throw a pass out of their wildcat formation.  Alabama caught LSU on a blown coverage but an underthrown ball combined with an extremely athletic play by Eric Reid led to an interception for the Tigers instead of a touchdown for Bama.

The game eventually went to overtime where Alabama got the ball first.  On first down the Tide called for a shovel pass from A.J. McCarron to Richardson that fell incomplete.  It also would have been completely snuffed out even if it had been completed because LSU held their ground along the defensive front.  The Tide were then forced into a second and fifteen situation following a substitution infraction.  They tried to hit Richardson on a vertical pass down the sideline but the play was covered well and the ball was thrown too far outside.  On third down they attempted to throw downfield again rather than get some yardage back for a more manageable field goal attempt.  McCarron took an awful sack on the play and the Tide were forced to attempt a 52 yard field goal that was no good.

Mr. Conservative (for one night at least)

On the other side of the field the Tigers, known for trickery of their own, stayed true to what they had done all night.  They remained committed to the run and to quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who played the majority of the game and took all of the snaps after Jarrett Lee's second interception.  Their were no fake punts or gutsy fourth down play calls.  Instead LSU recognized how the game was going and stuck to the script.

In the end it won them the game and put them one step closer to the BCS title game in New Orleans.  The team that has thrived in hostile environments all season may end up reaping the benefits with a hometown crowd in January.

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