Alabama Rallies Past LSU 31-13 in the Last Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge
Trailing 13-10 late in the third quarter, Alabama scored the final 21 points to beat LSU 31-13 on Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Keelon Russell threw all three of his touchdown passes in the second half, and the Crimson Tide defense stopped the Tigers on all four of their fourth-down attempts. Ranked fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings, Alabama (7-2, 5-2 SEC) stays in the race for one of the 12 spots. For LSU (6-3, 3-3), the last annual Alabama-LSU game turned into a letdown.
The end of a November fixture
The game carried extra weight. The two teams had met every regular season since 1964, but the SEC's move to nine conference games ends their status as permanent opponents. According to Tiger Rag, they will not play in 2027, the first year without the matchup since 1963, and will next meet in 2028. Earlier in the week, Lane Kiffin, in his first season at LSU, summed it up in a line reported by The Reveille: "I think that's just sad."
LSU came in at 6-2 and as a six-point favorite, according to ESPN. Alabama, however, had won the previous three meetings; according to WAFB, the Tigers' last win in the series came in 2022 (32-31 in overtime). The two quarterbacks arrived with similar numbers: 2,173 yards, 17 touchdowns and 8 interceptions for Leavitt, and 2,057 yards, 15 touchdowns and 5 interceptions for Russell, according to pregame figures from Fox Sports and VAVEL.
On the field, the stakes were more immediate. The first College Football Playoff rankings had Alabama at No. 5 and LSU at No. 14. For the Tigers, beating the Crimson Tide was close to a must to keep alive hopes of a first playoff berth since 2019.
The first half was tight and short on fireworks. Conor Talty opened the scoring with a field goal on Alabama's first drive before Scott Starzyk answered for LSU. In the second quarter, Ryan Coleman-Williams, back after a knee procedure, scored the only touchdown of the half on an end-around. Just before the break, Luke Metz intercepted Sam Leavitt, and Alabama went to the locker room up 10-3.
LSU wins the stat sheet, Alabama wins the big moments
The numbers describe a game LSU could have won. The Tigers outgained Alabama 457 yards to 285. Leavitt completed 35 of 47 passes for 380 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. His top target, Jackson Harris, was unstoppable: 11 catches for 166 yards.
But LSU stalled when it mattered. The Tigers failed on all four fourth-down attempts, including a fourth-and-goal pass broken up by Alabama's secondary. According to Sportsnaut, Leavitt was also sacked four times. LSU did take the lead in the third quarter: a second Starzyk field goal and a 5-yard touchdown run by Dilin Jones (17 carries, 56 yards) put the home team up 13-10.
Those failures were also a matter of choice. Kiffin repeatedly went for it rather than punt or kick, and Alabama's defense won every one of those snaps. According to Tiger Rag, linebacker Caleb Woodson broke up a pass on fourth-and-3, and defensive back Chuck McDonald knocked away the fourth-and-goal throw intended for Trey'Dez Green. Starzyk, who made two field goals, also missed from 56 yards in the second quarter. Harris, who entered with 634 receiving yards, added 166 more but never found the end zone.
The turning point came right after. According to Tiger Rag, Russell hit Rico Scott for 57 yards to set up tight end Josh Ford's touchdown catch with 36 seconds left in the third quarter (17-13). In the fourth, a 32-yard punt return by Coleman-Williams set up a 25-yard scoring pass to Cederian Morgan (24-13). After another failed LSU fourth-down try in its own territory, Russell capped the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Edwards (31-13).
Russell finished 17 of 24 for 206 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His contrast with Leavitt sums up the game: nearly half the passing yards, but far more efficient where it counted.
What it means for the SEC and the College Football Playoff
For Kalen DeBoer, the win in Baton Rouge strengthens Alabama's position. With only two losses, the Crimson Tide remains well placed in the College Football Playoff race ahead of a trip to Vanderbilt. The defense run by coordinator Kane Wommack gave up yards but very few points: LSU scored only one touchdown all game.
For LSU, the picture is now very difficult. With a third loss, all of them in SEC play, the Tigers will likely need to win out and get help elsewhere. The schedule offers no favors: they host Texas, which beat Missouri on Saturday, on Nov. 14, before a trip to Tennessee and a season finale at Arkansas.
For Kiffin, the loss extends a personal streak. According to Tiger Rag, he has yet to beat Alabama as a head coach (0-6). His offense showed it can move the ball against Alabama's defense. The next step is turning those yards into touchdowns.
The next College Football Playoff rankings, due Tuesday, will show how far Alabama can climb. The last annual Alabama-LSU game will be remembered as one LSU won on the stat sheet and Alabama won on the scoreboard.
