Alabama vs. LSU live updates, score, game analysis and highlights

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LSU takes the points

Harlem Berry reeled off a 37-yard run to establish LSU at Alabama's 27-yard line. That was a rare explosive play in the run game for the Tigers, who promptly stalled out and settled for a field goal to make it 3-3. Coming out of an injury timeout, interim coach Frank Wilson faced a big decision on whether to go for it on fourth-and-2. He elected to play it safe and take the points. As a double-digit road underdog, you might expect an interim coach to roll the dice there. We'll see if that decision comes back to haunt LSU.

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LSU looks ready for a four quarter fight

End 1Q: Alabama 3, LSU 0

LSU's defense came to play in the first quarter as the Tigers take on No. 4 Alabama on the road in their first game since the firing of Brian Kelly. The Tigers came up with a fourth-down stand on Alabama's opening possession, forced a punt and then bailed the offense out following a fumble. The only points came on a 45-yard field goal from Alabama's Conor Talty after the Crimson Tide went backwards following LSU's turnover. Garrett Nussmeier is 8 of 8 through the air for the Tigers. But per usual, there is no running game for LSU.

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LSU bailed out by its defense

After a missed chip shot field goal on its first possession, LSU fumbled the ball away on its second series. Bauer Sharp had just picked up a third-and-6 deep in LSU territory on a strike from Garrett Nussmeier when Nikhai Hill-Green popped it out and recovered it. The turnover set Alabama up on LSU's 24 yard-line. The series went nowhere, leading to a 45-yard field goal from Conor Talty.

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LSU botches a scoring opportunity

Damian Ramos pulled a 30-yarder, missing it left to leave the game scoreless after LSU picked up three first downs on its opening drive to establish itself in the red zone. Alabama pressured the kick and Ramos may have hurried it just a touch. That's a momentum boost for Alabama after a hot start for Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who connected on his first four passes. It will be interesting to see how dedicated Alabama remains to establishing the run as it takes over for its second possession.

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LSU's defense starts with a stand

We heard a lot over Alabama's bye week about how the Crimson Tide re-dedicated themselves to running the football. Against LSU's strong secondary, picking up yards on the ground was going to be critical. The early returns on that endeavor were discouraging for the Crimson Tide. Jam Miller was stuffed on fourth-and-1 at the LSU 39. He had a 7-yard run earlier in the possession, but Bama's was otherwise nonexistent on the game's first possession.

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Institutional turmoil

Politics giveth and politics taketh.

That might as well be the story of LSU athletic director Scott Woodward's time as the top boss of Tigers athletics.

LSU fired Woodward on Thursday, one day after Louisiana governor Jeff Landry went nuclear on the LSU AD saying unequivocally he would not be hiring the next LSU football coach.

The Politics of Purple and Gold: How Gov. Jeff Landry's power play took down LSU's AD -- and what comes next

John Talty

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Brian Kelly's unraveling

You'll hear the word fit -- or lack thereof -- thrown around a lot in hindsight of LSU's decision to fire Kelly. From the early weird pronunciation of "family" mishap to calling out LSU fans for being spoiled, Kelly never seemed to understand how to authentically connect with the LSU fanbase. It always felt like a politician trying too hard to be something he wasn't. LSU is one of the best jobs in college football because of how much the state of Louisiana adores their Tigers. There's no other Power Four team in the state to divide attention and loyalty the way there is in neighboring states Alabama and Mississippi. There's a reason why the three coaches who preceded Kelly all won national championships in Baton Rouge. When everyone is pulling in the same direction, that's what's possible at LSU.

You can't fake 'fam-uh-lee' forever: Brian Kelly's end came fast, but his LSU downfall was years in the making

John Talty

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Alabama vs. LSU preview

No. 4 Alabama is in control of its own destiny as it prepares to host LSU in a rivalry showdown on Saturday. The Crimson Tide (7-5, 5-0 SEC) face a manageable November slate and are on pace to appear in the SEC Championship Game and to receive a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

But the Tigers (5-3, 2-3) would love nothing more than to sow chaos inside Bryant-Denny Stadium as they begin life without Brian Kelly. The dismissal of LSU's fourth-year coach eight games into the season leaves the Tigers under the direction of interim coach Frank Wilson as they enter one of the nation's most hostile environments

The Crimson Tide have won 84 straight home games against unranked teams, which is the longest streak of any team in college football over the past 30 years. LSU is no ordinary unranked team, however. For all their flaws, the Tigers are still a talented team that could be galvanized by the shock of Kelly's firing and the installation of Wilson as the interim.

Alabama has reeled off seven straight wins since its shocking Week 1 loss at Florida State. The run has calmed the waters surrounding second-year coach Kalen DeBoer. But crazy things happen when these teams meet, and the Crimson Tide will need to be ready for an LSU team playing with nothing to lose.

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Alabama vs. LSU prediction

LSU is in absolute institutional turmoil following the dismissal of coach Brian Kelly, which came on the heels of an embarrassing home loss to Texas A&M. The Tigers have no running game, shoddy pass protection and a quarterback who appears to be struggling with confidence. What about the defense? A unit that gave up 10 points or less in its first four games has looked far more vulnerable against quality opposition. Alabama presents arguably the toughest test yet. Look for the Crimson Tide to cruise at home. Pick: Alabama -10

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Welcome distraction for LSU

If LSU can put up a fight on the road against Alabama, it may be a welcome distraction for a university community grappling with the public fallout of Brian Kelly's firing. Louisiana governor Jeff Landry suggested he would let Donald Trump make LSU's coaching hire before allowing athletic director Scott Woodward to find Kelly's replacement. Woodward was subsequently fired as part of what amounts to a wholesale overhaul of university leadership. LSU also hired a new president this week, Wade Rousse, and he promptly elevated interim athletic director Verge Ausberry to the full-time position. Finally, a football game can provide a temporary diversion from the chaos.

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Ty Simpson's big year

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is just the third SEC quarterback since 2000 to have 20 or more touchdown passes with one interception or less through eight games. The redshirt junior was an unknown commodity entering the season after serving as a backup for his first three seasons on campus. But his patience has been rewarded in a significant way as he sits at third on the Heisman Trophy odds sheet (+390 at FanDuel) entering Week 11 action. Simpson hasn't been intercepted since a Week 1 loss at Florida State and has made a habit of delivering clutch throws under game pressure during the Crimson Tide's seven-game winning streak.

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Bad omen for LSU

This is just the fourth time in the past 40 years that a team is facing a top-five opponent on the road while playing its first game under an interim coach. The previous three each lost by 30+ points. Most recently, Texas Tech fell 52-21 at No. 4 Oklahoma in 2021 the week after firing Matt Wells. LSU interim coach Frank Wilson is no stranger to be in charge, however. He was the head coach at UTSA from 2016-19 and then at McNeese for two years before joining Brian Kelly's staff as running backs coach in 2022.

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