Alabama football report card after statement win vs LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. — Alabama football needed a statement game.

The College Football Playoff committee saw the Crimson Tide one way, a way that the majority of the college football world didn't with a No. 5 ranking. On Saturday, Nov. 7, that Alabama (7-2, 5-2 SEC) team showed up against LSU (6-3, 3-3 SEC), beating the Tigers 31-13 at Tiger Stadium.

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Here are our postgame grades after Alabama's road win against LSU:

Alabama football offense: B-

Alabama's offense was not perfect, but it was never going to be against LSU's vaunted defense. Alabama held itself back with penalties, especially up front, but showed glimpses of what works for this offense, from a run game that may not have gotten many yards against LSU's rush defense but consistently fell forward, to a passing game that had its share of open check downs. Keelon Russell was under duress and struggled, but he survived, and the Crimson Tide showed much more promise as an offense than the last time Alabama was on the road. Alabama was not perfect, but it never had to be. It was good enough.

Alabama defense: A

Alabama's defense shined against one of the top offenses in the country. LSU's run game was non-existent. Sam Leavitt was under duress. Alabama struggled to get LSU off the field at points on third down but showed its dominance and bend-but-don't-break nature in the red zone. It's a defense that showed up when absolutely necessary, keeping the Crimson Tide in the game against one of the most explosive and high-profile offenses in the country. This was a statement game, that Alabama can stop anyone.

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Alabama special teams: B+

Alex Asparuhovs's day got better, starting the day with a shanked punt and growing stronger, pinning LSU back to its own 5-yard line in the fourth quarter when the Crimson Tide needed it most. A big punt return by Ryan Coleman-Williams to set up a one-play scoring drive by the offense proved big too. Alabama also recovered the ball when LSU fumbled a fielded punt late in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Alabama coaching: A

Alabama grew against LSU. Ryan Grubb expanded Keelon Russell's repertoire with check downs and quick pass plays that kept the Crimson Tide offense moving forward. Kane Wommack kept Alabama's defense afloat even when LSU got its share of yards. Alabama was ready for LSU, as Kalen DeBoer's track record hinted at, regardless of where the Crimson Tide stood.

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Alabama overall grade vs LSU: A

Regardless of where Alabama stood, two things remain: Alabama beats LSU on the road, and Alabama wins after off weeks. Alabama was ready for LSU when it needed to be, and it led to another game where road fans flooded to the exits before the game was over.

The return of Ryan Coleman-Williams proved huge for Alabama. Even if his statline didn't explode off the page, Coleman-Williams' first touchdown and a key punt return set Alabama on track for what would be its most important win of the season.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter or Instagram @colingaytnews.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football report card after statement win vs LSU