First Impressions: LSU 13, Bama 20

We gave that game away.

LSU dominated the second half, but couldn't score any points, which is always an issue. If you dominate the game, you need to turn that advantage into points. LSU didn't, and it meant the game came down to the final minute.

And what a final minute. LSU recovered a fumble and then decided it would be best to not even attempt to score a touchdown. I hate relying on kickers, but I especially hate the mentality of playing for three when the other team was assured of getting the ball back. Predictably, LSU let up and Bama got back in the game.

As soon as our coaches stopped calling the game with aggression, Bama's previously lifeless offense drove down the field and got the game tying field goal. They then dominated our defense in the overtime and scored a touchdown far too easily.

LSU responded by going to its strength.... just kidding. We threw the ball four straight times. All incomplete (ok, the first down pass was a bad drop), and LSU loses without getting off the 25 yard line. They took defeat from the jaws of victory by not playing to win in the final minute of the game. Alabama did, and they went home with the W despite doing virtually nothing the entire second half.

Jennings did show some life in the second half after a particularly awful first half in which he went 2 for 10 for 31 yards and a pick. He gave Alabama a free three points before the half which ended up being the difference in the game. That said, he did rally in the second half and finished with a not as awful 8/26 for 76 yards. His ATVSQBPI was a 2.78, which is as bad as you think it is.

Now, he didn't get there on his own. His receivers dropped at least four 3rd down catches with Trey Quinn going overboard on his effort to not convert 1st downs. Still, even without those drops, Jennings played a terrible game and there's only so much a team can do without any semblance of a passing game.

Even with all that, LSU had this game on a silver platter, and lost because they stopped playing with the ferocity which marked the first 58 minutes of the game. Once you make decisions to let up, the players let up as well. And the other team comes back and wins the game on your field.

The coaching staff blew it.