November 3, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) passes the ball during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU, 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-US PRESSWIRE

Alabama was given a second chance with the opportunity to get the ball back and they would not disappoint in doing so. Quarterback AJ McCarron would lead Alabama on one of its most memorable drives in the history of the storied Alabama program. The Crimson Tide would travel 72 yards in 43 seconds to take a 21-17 lead and avoid getting upset on the road and kept their national title aspirations alive in the process.

There were many questionable decisions that could be asked regarding to Coach Miles’ decisions in this game; however, you cannot question his team’s performance and effort.

Coming into Saturday night’s contest LSU was not given a chance of winning by any major sports pundit in the country. And for a majority of the contest, LSU was able to outplay its SEC West rival.

LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger set a career high in passing yards with 298 yards and most importantly didn’t turn the ball over. Mettenberger finally played up to the capabilities that everyone had of him coming into the season.

With Mettenberger’s ability to make plays down the field, he was able to take the pressure off the rushing attack. True-freshman Jeremy Hill and the LSU ground game were able to pound out good yardage against what was the nation’s best rush defense coming into Saturday’s contest. LSU racked up 139 yards on the ground which helped keep drives alive and the ball away from Alabama. Leading LSU to control the football for over 39 minutes in the game but they were unable to finish drives.

LSU was unable to put points on the board four times Saturday night when they were able to drive the ball inside the Alabama 40-yardline.

LSU failed to convert a fourth down attempt in the fourth quarter when running back Spencer Ware took a snap under center and tried to rush for the necessary yardage to gain the first down. Alleman failed to connect on field goal attempts of 54 and 45 yards in the game. And LSU decided to gamble on a 47-yard field goal attempt when holder Brad Wing tried a quick pass to Alleman in an attempt to trick the Alabama defense which was unsuccessful.

These failed opportunities and a number of questionable calls throughout the game leave LSU supporters wondering, “what if”, Sunday morning.

Oct 6, 2012; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp (center) shakes hands with LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles (white hat) after the Gators beat the Tigers 14-6 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Number 4 LSU (5-1,1-1), came into Saturday’s game with tenth ranked Florida (5-0, 4-0) with one of the best rushing attacks in the country averaging 229 yards per game on the ground. The Gator defense was able to successfully take that aspect of the game away from LSU, allowing only 42 rushing yards in the contest, forcing LSU to pass the ball to beat them which they were unable to do as the Gators upset LSU 14-6.

LSU quarterback Zach Mettenber was able to lead LSU down the field for a field goal on its opening possession, but the offense was unable to put any other drives together for the rest of the game. LSU took the opening kickoff and drove the football 64 yards to the Gator 14 yard line before having to settle for a 31 yard field goal by Drew Alleman. LSU was able to manage only 146 yards the rest of the game. LSU’s only other points in the game came on another field goal by Alleman after defensive tackle Bennie Logan forced a fumble on Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel deep in Gator territory.

Florida’s pass rush was able to successfully generate a heavy rush all game on Mettenberger and was able to hold LSU to just 1 for 13 on 3rd down conversions in the game.

However, Mettenberger was able to hit wide receiver Odell Beckham down the sideline for a 56 yard pass play in what appeared to be a game changing play. Beckham, when being taken to the ground by Florida safety Matt Elam, fumbled the ball, however. Ending any kind of threat the LSU offense would pose in the second half.

With the inability of the LSU offense to sustain any type of offensive attack, the LSU defense was forced to be on the field for 37 minutes of the game.

Florida running back, Mike Gillislee, ran for a career high 146 yards with two touchdowns and was able to wear down the LSU defense in the second half. Both of Gillislee’s touchdowns run would come in the second half when it was evident the LSU defense was exhausted from being on the field for as long as it was.

LSU was hampered by the penalty and turnover bug that has plagued them the past two games. LSU committed 8 penalties and turned the ball over three times Saturday. LSU has now committed 27 penalties and turned the ball over 8 times in its last three games.

LSU will look to bounce back against South Carolina next weekend in Tiger Stadium. The Gamecocks are coming off a dominating effort against Georgia Saturday and will look to remain undefeated when it rolls into Baton Rouge next weekend.

September 29, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles with his team prior to kickoff of a game against the Towson Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

LSU came into Saturday night’s contest against Towson looking to make a statement after struggling the week before to win decisively against a porous Auburn team.

Instead, LSU found themselves in a competitive football game against a team that most experts felt shouldn’t be on the same field as LSU.

LSU (5-0, 1-0) was trailing Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Towson (2-2), 9-7 late in the first half when quarterback Zach Mettenberger found Odell Beckham in the back of the end zone for a 27 yard touchdown pass.

The score would spark LSU to 24 consecutive points, including another long touchdown pass from Mettenberger to Beckham for 57 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter to take a 31-9 lead over visiting Towson.

However, LSU could not fully put away Towson as the visiting Tigers put together two drives late in the game of 64 and 80 yards to make the final score very respectable, 38-22.

LSU outgained Towson for the game 396 to 291, but what Towson was able to accomplish running the ball was very alarming for the LSU defense. Towson was able to successfully run the ball for 188 yards against the LSU defense which came into the game as the second best rush defense in the country giving up a mere 56.75 yards per game on the ground to opposing offenses. Towson took advantage of LSU’s over pursuit with counter plays leading to gaping holes in the middle of the field resulting in long runs.

The effort put forth Saturday night by LSU can be best described as lethargic. There were missed assignments along the offseason line resulting in Zach Mettenberger getting sacked four times, huge running plays for the Towson offense, a total of five fumbles were committed by LSU (including two by Kenny Hilliard), ten penalties committed by LSU in the game, as well as many other mistakes that are caused by lack of focus and not paying attention to detail.

LSU takes to the road for its next contest as they travel to Gainesville, Florida to take on conference rival and undefeated Florida.

LSU must be much sharper in its play if it expects to get out of Gainsville with a win.

Game Notes:

Freshman offensive lineman Vidal Alexander started at right tackle for LSU Saturday night. Senior Alex Hurt moved from right tackle to left tackle in replace of the struggling Josh Dworaczyk.

Three true freshman linebackers, Kwon Alexander, Ronnie Feist and Deion ‘Debo’ Jones all rotated in at the strong side linebacker position in place of Luke Muncie.