LSU 9, Alabama 6 (OT) Game Thoughts

This was a great game to watch, even with the lack of offense in part because it wasn't a lack of offense, it was great defense. These are two good, but not great offenses that ran up against all-timer level defenses in this game.

Everybody way overshot the score in the various prediction pieces even though this scoreline was a whole lot more likely than the low 20s everyone seemed to be predicting. The reason, we value offense as entertainment and a 9-6 score doesn't feel very epic, especially when predicting it pregame.

The Alabama roster and coaching staff are going to be killing themselves over the result of this game. Rarely does a team that looks like the better team throughout the game playing at home lose, but Alabama made the critical mistakes time after time after time. The list

• Four missed field goals including a long one in overtime
• An interception thrown by a wide receiver off a Wildcat formation (the ball should have been thrown a half second earlier)
• Countless misfires from AJ McCarron, especially in the 3^rd quarter culminating in his interception
• An insanely dumb 12 men in the huddle penalty in overtime
• An even dumber sack taken to really move the team out of field goal range in overtime
• A lack of execution on offense on the LSU side of the field, stalling repeatedly despite numerous chances

LSU has a full blown quarterback controversy coming its way. Jordan Jefferson was far better than Jarrett Lee in this game and made a case he should be the starter moving forward even though Lee was the most efficient passer in the SEC at kickoff. As for Lee, he reverted to 2008 form, throwing two interceptions to triple his season total from one to three.

The front sevens on these teams are very good, but the secondaries really make them go. It's near impossible to throw successfully on either team and that frees up linebackers and defensive backs for blitzes and run defense. The systems are nearly perfect for both teams.

There should not be a rematch of this in the National Championship game. While this was good, another team should get a shot with the small sample size of games we have in college football.

The no rematch talk also goes for Oregon if they win next week against Stanford. Ducks, you had your shot at LSU on a neutral field and got blown out. Next.