Frustration is likely the emotion most Tiger fans felt coursing through their veins while watching LSU fall to Alabama 31-13 on Saturday.
The Tigers (6-3, 3-3) squandered many opportunities in perhaps one of the most poorly managed games I have ever witnessed. That blame falls squarely on LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s shoulders. It appears Kiffin wildly overcorrected his previous decision-making when he opted not go for the fourth-down conversion late in the game against Kentucky. Apparently, Kiffin is going to go for it all the time, even when it makes no sense.
LSU failed to convert any of its four fourth-down attempts, costing the Tigers precious points and field position, especially late in the game.
The Tigers outgained Alabama 457 yards to 285, they had 27 first downs to the Tide’s 13, they had limited penalty yardage, and the LSU offense was able to move the ball down the field. Yet, at critical moments throughout the game, Kiffin made the incorrect call.
Here are the five decisions Kiffin made that led to LSU’s demise on Saturday:
- Early in the second quarter, LSU attempted a 56-yard field goal instead of punting. Tiger kicker Scott Starzyk – who has not made a field goal over 49 yards all season — misses it. Alabama takes advantage of a short field, and the Tide marches down to score its first touchdown. 10-point swing; Alabama 10 – LSU 3
- During the next LSU possession in the second quarter, the Tigers drive deep into the Alabama red zone. This time, instead of kicking an easy field goal, LSU attempts a fourth-down conversion at the Alabama nine-yard line and fails. 3-point swing; Alabama 10 – LSU 3
- Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama has retaken the lead, 17-13. The ensuing possession, LSU’s offense stalls near the Alabama 35-yard line. With nearly 13 minutes left to play in the game, the Tigers attempt another fourth-down conversion and fail instead of punting and pinning the Tide deep in their own territory. The Alabama offense goes three and out, so no direct harm done, but why continue the cycle of consistent failure? It was a foreshadowing of more bad things to come.
- The Tigers concede another score after a great Alabama punt return. The Tide lead 24-13 with nearly 10 minutes left in the game. LSU’s offense, down two scores, quickly finds itself in another fourth-down situation on its own 25-yard line. Kiffin goes for it on fourth down again, and LSU can’t convert. Alabama takes advantage of a very short field and scores three plays later. Again, why not punt in that situation, especially after how the game was unfolding? 7-point swing; Alabama 31 – LSU 13
- At this point, with nearly six and half minutes left, LSU is down by 18 points. The Tigers need three scores to tie the game. A difficult, yet not impossible, task. The LSU offense drives down the field, gets within the Alabama 10-yard line. The Tigers once again face fourth down. LSU needs a field goal at some point to help erase the 18-point deficit. What does Kiffin elect to do again? Go for it on fourth down, and LSU fails to convert. Even with LSU hitting a field goal instead of going for it, the odds were not ideal for LSU to come back in the game, but if LSU kicks a field goal at that moment, then there is still a glimmer of hope for a miracle ending. Instead, Kiffin challenged the Alabama defense again, and failed. 3-point swing
When you consider the interception thrown by LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt while the Tigers were in field goal range late in the second quarter, Alabama’s halftime lead should probably have been 10-9. Those missed field goal opportunities had a ripple effect in the second half where an additional six LSU points likely changes Kiffin’s decision making on some of those second half fourth down calls.
Instead, the problem kept compounding almost comically, as Kiffin kept doubling down on his aggressive fourth-down conversion calls until his team eventually lost by an embarrassing margin. Think about the alternative final score, even if Alabama still wins, but the score is 31-24 or 24-19 or anything closer than 18 points.
Perception matters in college football because unless your team is objectively great and has less than two losses, it’s a beauty pageant judged by the playoff selection committee. Now, LSU is staring at a best-case scenario of a 9-3 record, with an embarrassing loss on the resume. How frustrated are Tiger fans going to be at this game (or the other two losses) if LSU somehow wins the next three games but does not end up making the playoff?
Looking ahead
There is no rest for the Tigers, as quarterback Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns travel to Death Valley to face off against LSU for the first time in Baton Rouge since 1953.
Texas (7-2, 4-2) is coming off a huge road win over Missouri last weekend. This Saturday is truly a playoff elimination game for LSU. A defeat gives the Tigers four losses on the season, yet a win keeps the small glimmer of playoff hope alive for another week.
Contact Andrew at ByAndrewAlexander@gmail.com