No. 1 LSU beats No. 2 Bama 9-6 in OT

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - No. 1 LSU gained the inside track to the BCS title game, beating No. 2 Alabama 9-6 on Drew Alleman's 25-yard field goal in overtime after a fierce defensive struggle in which neither team reached the end zone Saturday night.

The Crimson Tide missed four field goals, including Cade Foster's 52-yard attempt after Alabama got the ball first in the extra period. LSU appeared to win the game on Michael Ford's run around left end after taking a pitch, but he stepped out of bounds at the 7.

Full coverage of LSU vs. Alabama at CBSSports.com

After two plays gained nothing, LSU (9-0, 6-0 Southeastern Conference) sent on Alleman to attempt his third field goal of the game on third down. Alabama (8-1, 5-1) tried to freeze him by calling timeout, but he calmly knocked it through to set off a wild celebration by the visiting team.

The crowd of more than 100,000 at Bryant-Denny Stadium — most of them dressed in crimson — sat in stunned silence as LSU celebrated its victory in only the 23rd regular-season matchup between the top two teams in The Associated Press rankings.

LSU still must win its last three regular-season games — No. 8 Arkansas is the toughest test — and then would have to get through the SEC championship game. But the Tigers are the clear favorite after winning another huge game away from home, emerging with the victory in a matchup between the two teams generally considered the best in the land.

Alabama will long be moaning about how this one got away. Foster missed two first-quarter field goals, and Jeremy Shelley had one blocked before Shelley finally made one from 34 yards. Alleman kicked a 19-yarder on the final play of the first half, leaving the teams tied at 3 even though the Crimson Tide clearly had the upper hand.

Interceptions set up both field goals in the second half. Foster made one from 46 yards after Jarrett Lee threw his second pick of the game, then Alleman connected from 30 yards after Alabama's AJ McCarron made an ill-timed throw.

[Kieren1]

phiggins49 - Oregon is not the top team and by the way LSU played them at home. Try going out West to play them. Stanford, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Boise and Wisconsin could all beat either team especially on a neutral field. But again, LSU if they get there will be able to play at home! How convenient! LSU played at home against Ohio State in 2008. That year Ohio State wasn't allowed to practice on the field! It looks like Stanford may play LSU at this point but both teams have to win out. Boise will win out and they have a very legitimate claim to play in the NCG.

[chrisbevers]

Dud of the Century... neither team deserves to be No. 1 after all the blown opportunities on offense AND defense in this game. LSU couldn't stop 'Bama, nor could it score. Alabama kept LSU in check, but choked time after time. And yet, the kingmakers in the NCAA have to eat their peas and make LSU No. 1. FIX!

[Kieren1]

involved_indi - LSU and Alabama are clearly not in their self-acclaimed 'league by themselves' category. The game showed that for sure. You scoff at Boise State ... so did I once upon a time. Ask Oklahoma about Boise State. Ask Alabama about Utah. The list goes on ... no Boise State could beat either team especially on a neutral site. By the way did you play football?

[phiggins49]

The record of SEC vs other teams is factual. Oregon would be considered the top team but they had to play LSU. Look at the number of ranked teams that LSU has played. I agree that LSU did not play a great game on any other day it would have been much better. But they played a worthy opponent and won. All the others were not worthy

[phiggins49]

A game with lots of mistakes. But those mistakes were made by offenses that were frustrated, and some defensive mistakes covering some tallented players.

Lots of things could have changed the outcome. If field goals were missed, LSU would have taken more risks on offensive to get the points back.

I saw two teams trying not to lose the game on offense and hoping their defense would carry the day. In the end it wasn't the kickers or the ref's call or the penalities. In a hostile environment (being a visitor in any SEC game is hostile) LSU held their own, had the oppportunity to win, and did it. The best team in the country playing one highly rated team after another. They deserve to be number 1 and Alabama deserves to remain in top 5

[involved_indi]

LSU was marginally better than Alabama last night. They'll really decide the issue when they play for the national Championship in January. Alabama will drop one or two spots, both Oklahoma State and Stanford will lose a game out of their next 3 and the season will end with LSU & Alabama 1 & 2.

[Stonewallaj]

LSU did not win that game last night. Alabama lost it. 9 point lost to missed field goals. Interception on oponents one yard line. Penalties. LSU scored more points on half the attempts of Bama. LSU performed under pressure. Bama didn't.

[baileyccc]

This "Game of The Century" was not in the league of the 1971 Nebraska-Oklahoma thriller of 1971 nor the Texas-Southern California game of 1999.

[you_MAY_be_right]

UH, 1971 and 1999 were last century.

[Kieren1]

Watched the game tonight ... it was billed as the Game for the Ages or the Game of the Century .... frankly it wasn't that impressive ... and may not have been the best game of the week! While Alabama and LSU have very good defenses without question ... none the QBs would be in the top 10 in CFB. The offenses and kicking games were suspect. I could see at least 5 teams right now that could beat either team - Stanford, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Boise State and Wisconsin ... for sure. All of these teams feature great QBs, great offenses, strong kicking games and good defenses.

[involved_indi]

Championships are won by defense every year... both college & NFL. You've named some good teams but not in the same league with LSU or Alabama and then you threw Boise State in there and confirmed your limited understanding of the game.

[Poule_doux]

Great game, congrats to LSU, who beat a very good Alabama team in Alabama.