NCAA Football

Alabama Survives Death Valley, Beats LSU

Its been a most unusual post-championship season for LSU having surrendered 50+ points twice this season and dropping one in overtime at home to Alabama. However, they're not the story tonight as No. 1 Alabama moves a week closer to fulfilling the program's grand ambitions after beating LSU in overtime 27-21.

Alabama can partly thank LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee who tossed a trio of interceptions to safety Reshad Johnson, one of them returned for a touchdown. Critically, the final one was in the end zone in overtime surrendering the ball to Alabama who promptly punched the ball into the end zone on a John Parker Wilson sneak.

Jilted LSU fans (Jealous-U as mocked in a hilarious ESPN College GameDay sign) thirsted for the blood of former coach Nick Saban, but revenge was not to be had even as the Tigers blocked a Leigh Tiffin field goal at the end of regulation that would have won the game just a bit earlier for Alabama.

To their credit the 'Tide locked things up defensively, making that critical interception in overtime before taking swift advantage with a soul-robbing overtime touchdown. Why go for the field goal when a touchdown is such a sure thing? Clearly they learned that lesson in rapid fashion after watching their game-winning field goal in regulation get blocked. Maybe Nick Saban really is worth all that money, huh?

And so as Penn State takes on water with its first loss and wonders what could have been, Alabama continues to take care of business. I'm still not certain they're the nation's best team, but they are atop the polls and continue to find ways to win which is no small task particularly in the SEC and with a particularly young football team.

And did we mention they won at night in Death Valley?

Wow.

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