Milroe Returns to Form as Alabama Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

Saturday night between Alabama and LSU was everything fans wanted from the stakes of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Alabama (6-2) and LSU (6-2) are one of the biggest rivalries in college football and it took place this season inside the biggest home-field advantage possible in college football - Death Valley.

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The first quarter saw Alabama come out hot, the same way the Crimson Tide did following the bye week ahead of the Georgia game. Milroe showed a burst that had not been in his arsenal for weeks, and Sheridan and DeBoer called several "easy" passes that Milroe hit in stride and allowed his receivers to make plays. Alabama quickly took a 14-3 lead in this game. Milroe had a powerful 39-yard touchdown run to start the game before Justice Haynes followed it up on the next driver with a one-yard touchdown.

However, football games are 60 minutes, not 15. Alabama still had work to do.

In the second quarter, the rain started pouring down, which clearly affected both teams' play. Milroe fired a shot to Ryan Williams less than two minutes into the quarter and it slipped right through Williams's palms. The Crimson Tide failed to capitalize, and could not make the game 21-3.

LSU began to claw back, marching down the field before Alabama stopped them courtesy of a holding call on LSU tackle Wil Campbell. However, LSU did get points, resulting in Alabama's lead being cut to 14-6.

The Crimson Tide's defense decided to get involved in the action, with linebacker Jihaad Campbell forcing a fumble on LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Tim Smith recovering. Milroe too kit 10 yards for a touchdown just a few plays later, Milroe's second touchdown of the night.

Alabama took its 21-6 lead into halftime feeling good about its chances to stay alive in the College Football Playoff race.

Alabama came out after halftime and allowed LSU to have a little bit of hope before Deontae Lawson ripped it from LSU fans by picking off Garrett Nussmeier. Alabama would then take the ball on the ensuing drive and go 80 yards in 3:39 for another Alabama touchdown. Milroe logged his third rushing touchdown of the game to extend Alabama's lead to 28-6.

The Crimson Tide's defense swarmed exactly how defensive coordinator Kane Wommack wanted them to on the following drive. Alabama sacked Nussmeier with a corner blitz at midfield and took back over at their own 10-yard line.

From there, The Crimson Tide took it to the fourth quarter, where Alabama showed what joyless murderball was once again.

Milroe housed a quarterback keeper 72 yards for an Alabama touchdown, cementing the victory for Alabama by extending the Crimson Tide's lead to 35-6.

The win was all but guaranteed when Alabama forced a turnover on downs by LSU at the 11:46 mark in the fourth quarter.

After a pair of garbage time touchdowns, Alabama closed out a dominant 42-13 victory over LSU.

Alabama Stat Leaders:

Passing - Jalen Milroe - 12-for-18, 109 yards
Rushing - Jalen Milroe - 12 carries, 185 yards, 4 TD
Receiving - Jam Miller - 5 catches, 50 yards
Defensive - Jihaad Campbell - 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 1 pass breakup, one QB hurry, 1 forced fumble.

Alabama advances to 7-2 on the season, keeping its playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, LSU falls to 6-3, almost certainly out of playoff contention following a blowout loss at home.

Alabama will return to Tuscaloosa next Saturday, November 16, for a 1:00 p.m. CT kickoff against the Mercer Bears. The game will be televised on ESPN+.

The Sportsbook at Pearl River Resort sponsors coverage of Alabama and LSU. Located at Golden Moon Hotel & Casino, it offers traditional sports betting, where guests can bet on all professional league sports and major collegiate sporting events.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.