Alabama Routs LSU 31-13 to Drop Tigers to 3-3
Alabama's five-play touchdown drive after LSU took a 13-10 lead sealed a 31-13 win over the Tigers.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
Alabama defeated LSU 31-13, handing the Tigers their third loss of the season and third SEC defeat. Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 380 yards with one interception for Alabama, while LSU's offense scored just one touchdown.
Why it matters
The loss all but eliminates LSU's hopes of making the College Football Playoff, according to the report. For Louisiana fans, it marks a painful stretch in the Tigers' season with three weeks of regular-season play remaining.
Alabama outscored LSU 21-3 after the Tigers held a 13-10 lead, with a five-play drive producing the decisive touchdown. LSU converted none of four fourth-down attempts, and the extraction does not state how LSU's season record compares to its prior-year pace.
The players
Sam Leavitt
Alabama quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 380 yards with one interception in the win over LSU.
Ty Benefield
LSU safety Ty Benefield publicly identified communication and eye discipline errors as central defensive problems in the loss.
TJ Dottery
LSU linebacker TJ Dottery criticized both the offense's lack of production and the defense's failure to respond in the loss.
The details
Alabama pulled away from LSU after the Tigers led 13-10, with a five-play touchdown drive shifting momentum. LSU safety Ty Benefield said communication errors and eye discipline mistakes plagued the defense, while linebacker TJ Dottery said the offense never got going and the defense failed to step up.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: Alabama defeats LSU 31-13 in the game.
Next Saturday: LSU hosts Texas in Tiger Stadium.
Season Trajectory
With its third SEC loss, LSU's path to the College Football Playoff has narrowed sharply, and the three remaining regular-season games now carry outsized weight. The defeat leaves the Tigers needing to finish strongly against a demanding late-season schedule.
LSU's playoff picture is now effectively out of reach, which affects how fans and fantasy managers should view the Tigers' remaining schedule. The next home game against Texas will determine whether the team can salvage a respectable finish to the year.
The takeaway
LSU's season now hinges on finishing strong after a season marked by three losses and defensive communication problems. Fans should watch the Texas matchup closely for signs of whether the Tigers can close out the year on a positive note.
What happens next
LSU hosts Texas next Saturday in Tiger Stadium, its next scheduled game.
Further reading
For more on LSU's season, see Louisiana Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reveille.
