Bowl projections 2012: Texas, LSU projected to meet in Cotton Bowl

The LSU Tigers and Texas Longhorns are projected to meet in the Cotton Bowl.

Alabama vs. LSU 2012: LSU fans react to crushing loss

The LSU Tigers are still one of the top teams in the country. They are still ranked in the top 10 and they will still have a more-than-respectable season.

But it could have been so much more.

Our LSU blog, And The Valley Shook, knows this and, to the surprise of no one, was not happy following the Tigers' 21-17 loss to Alabama last night.

I have no computer and my cellphone is dead. I'm also pretty darn hungover. So sorry about no post game thread but it would have been largely incoherent. The morning after and I still have no words.

Not quite encouraging words from a disappointed fan. To make matters worse, it was a winable game for the Tigers. LSU scored the go-ahead touchdown with 12:58 to play to make it 17-14, and that score held up until the final seconds. With less than a minute to go, T.J. Yeldon caught a 28-yard touchdown pass for Alabama that proved to be the game winner. The Crimson Tide hung on, 21-17.

LSU should have won but grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory. This loss is actually more disappointing than the BCS game. Because this was a game that LSU largely controlled but came away with a loss because of its inability to stop a two-minute drill. Twice.

From here, the Tigers cannot afford to let this loss get into their heads. With three games left, including one against Mississippi State this weekend, there is still plenty to play for in the SEC.

LSU vs. Alabama final: Tigers lose 21-17

The Alabama Crimson Tide very nearly fell, and Death Valley very nearly claimed another. LSU dominated the No. 1 team in the country, more than doubling the yardage Bama's been giving up per game, forcing a pair of turnovers, holding the Tide to one-of-nine on third downs and limiting the country's most efficient passer, A.J. McCarron, to 10 completions and 93 yards on 22 attempts until the final drive.

But three big completions put Bama in field goal range, a big T.J. Yeldon run on a screen pass gave the Tide the 21-17 lead, and the king stayed the king.

Blame will be heaped on Les Miles, as LSU should've had the game locked up with minutes to go. Three strange fourth-down calls by Les Miles left at least three points, maybe many more, on the board.

Box score hero: Offensively? Yeldon and Eddie Lacy combined for 206 yards and two touchdowns, and other than that final drive, were about all the Tide had going on offense.

Rankings ramifications: Utter mayhem would've befallen us all had LSU hung on. But as it is, Bama will tighten its grip on No. 1, while LSU will leave the Top 5 again.

Next week: No rest for the Tide, which gets Johnny Manziel and the Aggies, while LSU draws Mississippi State.

This story was originally published on SB Nation.com.

LSU vs. Alabama score update: Tigers trailing 14-3 at the half

No. 5 LSU trailed No. 1 Alabama, 14-3, at halftime on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

In a half that was mostly about defense and missed opportunities on offense, the Alabama Crimson Tide recovered from a disappointing opening quarter to score twice in the second quarter. Led by quarterback A.J. McCarron, Alabama put together a 92-yard touchdown drive to take a 7-3 lead thanks to a 7-yard touchdown run by Eddie Lacy.

The Tigers would march down the field on their next possession but would stall deep in Alabama territory after a failed attempt on fourth-and-12 from the Crimson Tide 30-yard line. After a Alabama three-and-out, the Tigers would move the ball again but stall once more deep in Tide territory that ended after failed 54-yard field goal attempt.

The Crimson Tide would then extend the lead when McCarron rushed nine yards for a touchdown in the final seconds of the half.

Through two quarters, Alabama has outgained LSU 210-178. LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger is 10-of-18 for 92 yards while Jeremy Hill leads the Tigers with 66 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Alabama vs. LSU score update: Tigers strike first, lead 3-0 after first quarter

With some offensive success early, the No. 5 LSU Tigers managed to earn an early lead over the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide and finish the first quarter with a 3-0 lead.

Although their opening possession didn't result in points, the LSU offense showed good signs early and after forcing a three-and-out from the Alabama offense, drove in to field goal range. A successful 38-yard field goal by Drew Alleman after the drive stalled got the Tigers on the scoreboard first.

Following their opening drive that featured three pass attempts, the Crimson Tide found success on the ground as Eddie Lacy mashed out over 50 yards rushing on the ensuing drive. However, a offensive pass interference penalty set the drive back for Alabama and forced them to punt, despite reaching LSU's 39-yard line.

After the first quarter, neither quarterback has completed more than 50 percent of their passes, although each team has found some success on the ground.

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