Alabama survives Ole Miss upset bid to keep wheels on: College football media reacts
By Scott Rogust
The Alabama Crimson Tide stopped the Ole Miss Rebels on the final drive to secure the 30-24 win, and helped the LSU Tigers win the SEC West.
There were huge SEC Championship Game implications in Week 11, specifically in the No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 11 Ole Miss game. Earlier in the day, the No. 7 LSU Tigers defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 13-10. All they needed was an Alabama win to clinch the SEC West title.
Luckily for LSU, they received just that, as Alabama held on to defeat Ole Miss 30-24.
The Rebels got the football back with a little over two minutes remaining in regulation following Will Reichard’s 49-yard field goal. Ole Miss received some help to get into scoring range thanks to running back Quinshon Judkins, who had 35- and 14-yard runs. But once they reached Alabama’s 14-yard line, head coach Lane Kiffin abandoned the run. Quarterback Jaxon Dart threw two consecutive incompletions before getting sacked on third down, setting them up for fourth-and-16. Dart threw a pass into the end zone intended for Johnathan Mingo, but it fell just out of reach.
College football media reacts to Alabama defeating Ole Miss to hand SEC West to LSU
Various members of college football media reacted to Alabama’s win, Ole Miss’ bizarre play-calling on the final four plays, and LSU winning the division title.
Ole Miss should have won that game. It was right there.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 13, 2022
Credit to Alabama's defense standing up on that last series.
Alabama is 2 plays away from 10-0, and 3 plays away from 5-5.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/LVann_Sports/status/1591582450878410752
With Alabama able to ice the game, LSU are your SEC West champs.
— dylan sanders (@DillySanders) November 13, 2022
Alabama will hold on. And LSU will win the SEC West.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 13, 2022
With Alabama’s win at Ole Miss, LSU - yes, LSU - has won the SEC Western Division and will play in the SEC championship game.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 13, 2022
Improbable.
LSU is headed to the SEC Championship thanks to Alabama’s rally on the road at Ole Miss.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) November 13, 2022
Lane Kiffin drops to 0-4 against Nick Saban. He’ll get another shot at the GOAT in 2023.
Puzzling play calls there at the end for Ole Miss.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 13, 2022
That series of late play calls by Ole Miss was something.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) November 13, 2022
Alabama had far from the best start, which was highlighted by head coach Nick Saban looking absolutely miserable on the sidelines. But in the second quarter, trailing 17-7, Alabama was able to cut their deficit to three points after quarterback Bryce Young connected with tight end Cameron Latu for an eight-yard touchdown with eight seconds remaining in the half.
In the second half, Alabama outscored Ole Miss 16-7, where nine of their points came from the leg of Reichard. Young contributed with a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks.
Young completed 21-of-33 pass attempts for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Judkins was able to pick up 135 yards and score two touchdowns on 25 carries for Ole Miss.
With this win, the Crimson Tide eliminated the Rebels from SEC title contention. Not only that, but Kiffin is now 0-4 when facing Saban.
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