As a result, No. 11 Alabama football dominated No. 15 LSU 42-13 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “I love where our defense is at right now,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “We might give up a play here or there, but they move on to the next one ...

How exactly did it all come together for Alabama at LSU? The Tide were focused on Saturday and are locked in for November.

LSU coach Brian Kelly repeatedly blamed himself for a 42-13 loss to Alabama on Saturday night, a defeat that almost certainly ended any hope of a College Football Playoff berth for the Tigers. They dropped to 6-3 overall and 3-2 in SEC play as Kelly acknowledged they face an uphill climb if they want any shot at a conference title.

LSU football has had two games with huge implications. In both, Brian Kelly and his Tigers crumbled and a College Football Playoff spot seems a no go.

Just shy of three years ago, Brian Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge for the first time as the coach of the LSU Tigers to a cacophony of fanfare. The onetime aspiring politician was treated as if he were a borderline conquering hero coming to the Bayou after a shocking departure from a successful stint with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.