No. 3 Alabama had questions that needed answering coming into Saturday’s heavyweight showdown with No. 2 LSU. Here is how the Crimson Tide answered four of them.
1. How productive will Tua be?
Tua Tagovailoa had surgery on his ankle two weeks ago and wasn’t as sharp in the first half of the game, but LSU’s defense had a lot to do with that. The Crimson Tide QB turned it around in the second half and finished with 418 passing yards with four touchdowns.
2. Under 100 yards for Jefferson?
LSU’s Justin Jefferson, the top receiver in the SEC, had four 100-yard games entering Saturday. It was Ja’Marr Chase who put on the show. Alabama couldn’t stop the Tiger receiver, who had six catches for 140 yards and one touchdown. Jefferson finished with 79 yards.
3. What about the run game?
It was a nonfactor until the second half. Najee Harris had four carries for 38 yards in the first half but was the workhorse in the second with 108. LSU didn’t need to run with Joe Burrow’s hot arm, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire was instrumental in the fourth quarter. He finished with 104 yards and three touchdowns.
4. Which DBU will reign supreme?
LSU calls itself DBU (Defensive Back University) and did wonderful job limiting Alabama’s receivers in the first half, except for one or two big plays. Alabama’s defensive backs looked lost all game and gave up big play after big play.
— Compiled by Edwin Stanton
