TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — No. 4 Alabama delivered its best defensive effort in Southeastern Conference play this season and beat LSU 20-9 on Saturday night, keeping the Tigers out of the end zone for the first
time since the 2012 national championship game.
The Crimson Tide (8-1, 6-0 SEC, No. 4 CFP) allowed just 13 first downs and 232 yards while winning their eighth consecutive game. Alabama extended its home winning streak to 17 games, the longest in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and remained on track for a spot in the league title game and the College Football Playoff.
Ty Simpson completed 21 of 35 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown.
Garrett Nussmeier completed 18 of 21 passes for 121 yards for LSU (5-4, 2-4), but he was benched in the third quarter in favor of sophomore Michael Van Buren.
It was a disappointing debut for LSU interim coach Frank Wilson, who took over when Brian Kelly was fired. The Tigers were penalized 10 times and were limited to nine points in four red-zone trips as they lost to the Crimson Tide for the third straight year.
A relatively modest performance for Alabama's offense — 344 total yards — was boosted by explosive plays. Simpson completed four passes of 30 or more yards in the first half; LSU had only given up five all season before Saturday.
Alabama should hold strong at No. 4 in the next AP Top 25 poll since Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M all won.
LSU: The Tigers have lost three in a row and four of five. With three games remaining and a quarterback change, questions will arise about who will start for the remainder of the season.
Alabama: It wasn't a dominant showing, but the Tide avoided an upset. They control their destiny to the SEC championship game with two conference games left.
LSU receiver Nic Anderson left in the third quarter because of a knee injury. He returned to the sidelines in the fourth on crutches.
LSU hosts Arkansas next Saturday.
Alabama hosts No. 11 Oklahoma next Saturday.
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