Alabama football notched its eight consecutive victory on Saturday, 20-9 over LSU , to move a significant step closer to both the SEC Championship Game and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson was impressive once again, at least in spots, while the Alabama defense was stout against an LSU team that has struggled to score for much of the season.
Here are some quick thoughts from the Saturday, Nov. 8, Alabama win at Bryant-Denny Stadium:
1. Simpson's stellar play continued, as did his strong candidacy for the Heisman Trophy. Two first-half deep balls, in particular, were the stuff of a future NFL first-round pick: a 32-yard connection with TE Josh Cuevas, and a 53-yarder to Lotzeir Brooks . On both, Simpson's ball placement hit the receivers perfectly in stride, and both keyed touchdown drives. Not to be forgotten from the game-management department, Simpson wisely called a second-quarter timeout on a critical third-and-5 in the LSU red zone due to some miscommunication with the offensive line. Alabama then converted on an LSU pass interference call, followed by a Daniel Hill TD run.
2. Alabama LB Nikhai Hill-Green has played some of his best football for Alabama in recent games, and made the biggest play of his first season with the Crimson Tide in the first quarter. On LSU's second possession, Hill-Green caused and recovered a fumble by Tigers TE Bauer Sharp , setting up Conor Talty 's 45-yard field goal to open the scoring. Team captain Deontae Lawson , Justin Jefferson and Hill-Green have developed into a prolific off-the-ball linebacking trio.
3. Crimson Tide LB Yhonzae Pierre came up with a sack of LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier at a most critical moment, as the Tigers were facing a red-zone third down on the opening possession of the second half. Pierre beat LSU left tackle Carius Curne with a bull rush, then dropped Nussmeier for a loss of 14, forcing a field goal that let Alabama maintain a double-digit lead.
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Simpson's touchdown pass to Ryan Williams with just 22 seconds left in the first half, to cap another two-minute masterpiece, put the Crimson Tide ahead 17-3. That gave UA big momentum entering the locker room and largely rendered the Tigers offense one-dimensional in the second half. It marked the fifth time Simpson has helmed a touchdown drive in the final minute of the first half this season.
2 - Alabama was flagged just twice all night, and not at all on offense. The defense was flagged for hands-to-the-face, and there was a block in the back on special teams.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's defense was relentless on a night when it took awhile for Alabama's offense to get into gear. LSU broke a couple of explosive plays, but for the most part had no answers. Interim coach Frank Wilson turned to backup QB Michael Van Buren in the second half, hoping for a spark from 11 points behind, but didn't get it. And when a Simpson fumble gave LSU a fourth-quarter drive start in Alabama territory, UA held the Tigers out of the end zone once again. It marked the second year in a row that Wommack has bottled LSU's attack with excellent effectiveness.
With only three games remaining, it's a little late to expect significant improvement from Alabama's running game. At this point, it is what it is − ineffective. UA failed to convert a short-yardage first down on three consecutive run plays on its opening possession for a turnover on downs. That foretold another dismal rushing attack, and once again forced play caller Ryan Grubb to replace the running game with short, quick passes.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Ty Simpson delivers again for Alabama football on key 2-minute drive
