LSU’s Offensive Struggles Continue in Loss to Alabama as Key Figures Face Scrutiny

The LSU Tigers’ 20-9 loss to Alabama on Saturday deepened what has been a difficult stretch for the program, marking their fourth defeat in the past five games. In Frank Wilson’s first appearance as interim head coach, the Tigers showed flashes of defensive discipline but were undone by an offense that failed to find rhythm or identity.

While Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson managed an efficient performance, the Crimson Tide’s success came less from dominance and more from LSU’s repeated offensive miscues. The Tigers held Alabama to just 344 total yards, including a meager 56 on the ground, and even forced a turnover — but those defensive efforts went to waste as the offense sputtered drive after drive.

Early opportunities slipped away as LSU failed to capitalize in the red zone, missed a field goal, and suffered from miscommunication and penalties that repeatedly stalled drives. Even as the defense gave them chances to take control, the offense seemed incapable of matching their intensity.

By the time the final whistle blew, LSU’s offensive inefficiency had defined the game — leaving Wilson, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, and interim offensive coordinator Alex Atkins facing growing scrutiny from fans and analysts alike.

1. Running Game Remains a Major Weakness

The foundation of LSU’s struggles was once again its ineffective ground attack. Ranked 125th nationally in rushing, the Tigers managed just 59 yards on 26 carries against Alabama — an average of only 2.3 yards per attempt. The inability to sustain a running threat left the offense predictable and repeatedly facing long third-down situations. Freshman Harlem Berry was the lone bright spot, rushing 12 times for 66 yards, though 37 came on a single play. Outside that burst, LSU’s running game was virtually nonexistent. Caden Durham gained only four yards on three carries, while backup quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. managed just one yard on six attempts. The offensive line failed to open lanes, and negative plays from sacks compounded the team’s lack of production. This inefficiency forced LSU into uncomfortable third-and-long situations throughout the night. The Tigers converted just five of 14 third downs, and only two of those attempts required fewer than five yards. Without a balanced offense, Alabama’s defense was able to pressure the quarterbacks and control the tempo with ease. The continued absence of a productive running game has become a defining issue for LSU’s season. It limits play-calling creativity, hinders time of possession, and has left opposing defenses free to anticipate the pass — a formula that has repeatedly doomed the Tigers’ offense.

2. Quarterback Play Adds to Offensive Woes

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, once considered a preseason Heisman dark horse, continued his downward trend. Against Alabama, he completed 18 of 21 passes — an efficient clip, but for only 121 yards and no touchdowns. Despite completing most of his attempts, the short passing attack lacked explosiveness, and LSU never found a rhythm through the air. Nussmeier was eventually benched for Van Buren, who fared little better, completing just five of 11 passes for 52 yards. Neither quarterback was able to stretch the field or generate momentum in key situations. The passing game’s conservative approach left Alabama’s defense largely unchallenged and allowed them to clamp down on short routes. The decline in Nussmeier’s production has mirrored LSU’s broader offensive struggles. After showing promise earlier in the year, he has failed to top 225 passing yards in any of the last three games and has been sacked frequently behind a struggling offensive line. His season totals — 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions — fall well short of expectations for a player once seen as the Tigers’ centerpiece. With no reliable run support and inconsistent play-calling, the quarterback situation now sits at the heart of LSU’s offensive identity crisis — one that interim coach Wilson must solve quickly to salvage what remains of the season.

3. Questionable Play-Calling Under Interim OC Alex Atkins

Interim offensive coordinator Alex Atkins faced sharp criticism for his debut game in charge of LSU’s offense. Following the midseason dismissals of head coach Brian Kelly and former OC Joe Sloan, Atkins was tasked with revitalizing a struggling unit — but his play-calling against Alabama only deepened concerns. The Tigers’ opening drive showed promise, advancing to the Alabama 14-yard line before stalling after a false start and a missed field goal. Momentum quickly evaporated when the next series ended in a fumble. Even when LSU crossed midfield later in the half, conservative play-calling — including a short pass on third-and-nine that failed to reach the sticks — led to another stalled drive and a field goal attempt instead of an aggressive fourth-down try. Similar issues persisted in the second half. On a key third-and-goal from the eight-yard line, a delay-of-game penalty pushed LSU back before Nussmeier was sacked for a major loss. Late in the fourth quarter, down by 11, LSU again moved the ball into Alabama territory before a combination of penalties and sacks derailed the drive. Each sequence reflected the same theme: a lack of urgency and poor situational awareness in crucial moments. Atkins’ conservative and disjointed approach failed to maximize LSU’s limited strengths, leaving the Tigers without direction or rhythm. As the program transitions under Wilson, offensive leadership and play design will be central questions heading into the offseason.