Alright, I'll be the first to admit that Alabama did not play like a national championship team in the first half of the game against LSU, but the Tide dominated the second half. The Tigers were no match for Alabama. Early on Alabama's Greg McElroy was up and down. The Junior passer made quite a few mistakes early in the game, including missing a wide open Julio Jone in the end zone. This forced Alabama to settle for a field goal. Then, just before the half, He threw an interception deep in LSU territory, as he forced a pass in the direction of Colin Peek. This allowed LSU to take a 7 to 3 lead to the half.
Alabama went in at the half and regrouped. They stormed out onto the field and drove 81 yards for a touchdown, with McElroy hitting Darius Hanks for a score. Alabama started to work Mark Ingram into the game in the 2nd half, leading to a more balanced attack. In the first half Ingram rarely ran the ball, as Alabama focused on the passing game. LSU eventually regained the lead at 15 to 10, but McElroy and Ingram brought Bama right back. With 10 minutes left Bama trailed 15 to 13. Then, in a flash of brilliance, McElroy hit Julio Jones on a screen pass that went for 73 yards and the go ahead touchdown. It gave Alabama a lead they would not relinquish. The Tide got all in and came up with over 450 yards of offense last night against a top 10 defense. McElroy got his groove back, and Ingram is all but striking the Heisman pose. The defense is giving up roughly 12 points per game. Alabama crushed LSU's season with pure toughness and determination
The 24 to 15 win over LSU proved one thing, no team in America is more poised than Alabama. When the chips are in they will do whatever it takes to win the game. We saw it late against Virginia Tech when Alabama stormed from a 17 to 16 4th quarter disadvantage to romp the Hokies 34 to 24. Then, we saw it again when Terrence "Mount" Cody came through with a last second field goal block to hold off Tennessee, and we see it again this week. Few teams in the country have had the success that this Alabama group has had, winning 22 of its last 24. games, but that will all mean nothing if they quit now. If Alabama can pull of 5 more victories, they will go down in history. This team clearly has the moxy to do it.
Now before we go to far with this I will say Alabama has looked sloppy at times, but thats a moot point. When they need it most they play better than anyone in the country. If all goes as expected and the December 5th SEC Title Game features two top 3 teams playing for a trip to Pasadena, you better be sure the Tide won't go down without one of the greatest fights in college football history.
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