No. 9 Alabama beat No. 15 LSU 31-13 at Tiger Stadium on Saturday, 7 November 2026. Keelon Russell threw three touchdown passes, Alabama’s defence stopped LSU on fourth down four times, and LSU coach Lane Kiffin stayed winless against the Crimson Tide.
The game stayed close for three quarters. LSU even led 13-10 late in the third quarter. Then Alabama scored 21 unanswered points and pulled away in front of a stunned home crowd in Baton Rouge.
Russell Throws Three Touchdown Passes
Russell threw his three scoring passes to three different players. Josh Ford caught a 7-yard touchdown, Cederian Morgan caught a 25-yard touchdown, and Kaleb Edwards caught a 4-yard touchdown.
Ford’s score came right after LSU had taken the lead. Alabama needed only 2 minutes and 8 seconds to answer. Rico Scott’s 57-yard catch and run put Alabama at the LSU 18-yard line, and Russell found Ford on the next play.
Morgan’s touchdown came in the fourth quarter. He caught Russell’s 25-yard throw and danced in front of the LSU fans in the corner of the stadium. Edwards added the final touchdown from 4 yards out.
LSU Missed Chances Cost Tigers
LSU moved the ball all night but could not finish its drives. The Tigers gained 457 total yards to Alabama’s 285 and ran 28 more plays than Alabama. The scoreboard never showed it.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 35 of 47 passes for 380 yards. His one interception came at a bad time, when Luke Metz picked him off at the Alabama 24-yard line. Kicker Scott Starzyk missed a 56-yard field goal. Chuck McDonald III batted down a fourth-and-4 pass at the Alabama 10-yard line. LSU finished 0 for 4 on fourth down.
Kiffin’s boldest call came with eight minutes left. He kept his offence on the field on fourth-and-10 from his own 25-yard line. Leavitt was sacked, and Alabama scored three plays later.
LSU had taken the lead when Dilin Jones ran in from 5 yards out. That touchdown capped an 11-play, 90-yard drive. Alabama had led 10-3 at half-time after Conor Talty’s field goal and Ryan Coleman-Williams’ 1-yard touchdown run on a misdirection play.
Kiffin Winless Streak Reaches Six
Kiffin has now lost all six games he has coached against Alabama, with Tennessee, Mississippi and now LSU. Before the game he called Alabama “loaded” and even compared its defence to a classic Nick Saban defence. After the game he said only: “Really disappointing end to the game.”
With more than six minutes left, LSU fans were already heading for the exits. Alabama has now won seven of its last eight games at Tiger Stadium.
LSU also lost right tackle Weston Davis to a right leg injury in the third quarter. Among the crowd were First Lady Melania Trump, actor Kevin Costner, pitcher Paul Skenes, basketball star Angel Reese, Shaquille O’Neal and gymnast Livvy Dunne.
Playoff Race After Alabama Win
This result matters because of the College Football Playoff. Twelve teams play for the national title, and a small committee ranks the best teams every week. Before this game, the committee had put Alabama at No. 5 and LSU at No. 14 in its first rankings of the season. New rankings come out on Tuesday.
This win makes Alabama’s case even stronger. It now has two big road wins, at Kentucky and at LSU. Alabama is 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the SEC, and it should climb higher in the new rankings.
LSU is now 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the SEC. It has lost to all three strong teams it has played, so its playoff hopes are almost gone. Alabama visits Vanderbilt next Saturday. LSU hosts No. 10 Texas on the same day.
| Quarter | Alabama | LSU |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 3 | 3 |
| Q2 | 7 | 0 |
| Q3 | 7 | 10 |
| Q4 | 14 | 0 |
| Final | 31 | 13 |
| Final score | Alabama 31, LSU 13 |
| Russell touchdown passes | 3 |
| Leavitt passing | 35 of 47, 380 yards, 1 interception |
| Total yards | LSU 457, Alabama 285 |
| LSU on fourth down | 0 of 4 |
| Kiffin against Alabama | 0-6 |
| Alabama record | 7-2 (5-2 SEC) |
| LSU record | 6-3 (3-3 SEC) |
Alabama won 31-13 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge on Saturday, 7 November 2026.
Keelon Russell threw three: 7 yards to Josh Ford, 25 yards to Cederian Morgan and 4 yards to Kaleb Edwards.
Almost certainly not. LSU is 6-3 and has lost to all three strong teams it has played. Alabama, at 7-2, is in a strong spot and should climb when new rankings come out on Tuesday.
