It was a weekend of statements in the SEC, and Alabama made one of the biggest. The Crimson Tide went into Death Valley and notched a three-score win over LSU, reasserting themselves as national championship contenders. Alabama wasn't perfect against LSU, but considering the environment, it played really well in high-leverage situations.
When the Tigers got into Crimson Tide territory, the defense made huge plays to keep the LSU offense out of the end zone. That includes three fourth-down stops and an interception. On the other side of the ball, Keelon Russell played with a ton of poise in a raucous environment.
Russell completed 17 of his 24 pass attempts for 206 yards and three touchdowns. It was an impressive performance from a young quarterback who seems to be coming into his own at the right time of year. Because of that big win, Alabama has crept back into the top two of our rankings.
With a favorable schedule the rest of the way, I don't see the Crimson Tide dropping again anytime soon. As Alabama climbs once again, here are this week's SEC Power Rankings. If that wasn't the most impressive win by any team this season, it has to be awfully close.
Georgia went into Oxford and smacked Ole Miss, 42-7, and the game was exactly as lopsided as the scoreboard indicated. Football statistics guru Parker Fleming posted his weekly "Did we really get beat that bad?" chart, and the answer for the Rebels was, "Indeed." The Bulldogs had more rushing yards (295) than the Rebels had total yards (252), and Georgia's defense extinguished what was left of Trinidad Chambliss' Heisman Trophy candidacy. The Bulldogs are on the path to another national championship.
When the initial College Football Playoff rankings came out last week, the selection committee raised many an eyebrow by placing Alabama at No. 5. Maybe they have a crystal ball in that hotel conference room. Despite being outgained by 172 yards, the Crimson Tide cruised to an 18-point win on the strength of clutch plays in high-leverage moments.
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