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Lee would not have helped them.  Alabama knows if they bring Lee in the game it's to pass the ball, and with a 2 TD lead, they would just pin their ears back and come after him.  To borrow Brent Musberger adjective, it would have been a "mauling."

I realize that your veiw is probably the popular view, but I disagee to a certain extent.

I agree about how good Alabama's defense.  I've be talking about that since last January.

As far as McCarron is concerned, Alabama really didn't do much different in this game.  They threw a little more than usual on 1st down, but they've been throwing quite a bit on first down all season based on what defenses have shown them.

They added a little more motion for this game particularly with their TEs, but they pretty much ran the same plays.  There were a few new wrinkles like having Smelley running a wheel route out the backfield which didn't work.

The only other difference I noticed was that McCarron pushed the ball downfield a little more.  Of course that is something Alabama should have been doing all season, but weren't.  I complained bitterly about this all season.  It's not as if they don't have the QB to get that done.  McElwain essentially reduced a NFL caliber gunslingling QB into Captian Checkdown.

LSU tried to do what led them to a 13 & 0 recorrd to that point, which really about all they could do  Jordan Jefferson is what he is.  He's a one-dimensional QB that is not capable of beating good defenses with his arm.

Look at the Georgia game.  JJ set the forward passing game back 35 years.  In short, how creative can you be with a one-dimensional QB??? The answer is not very.

People want to beat Miles up for this loss, but I think he was in a no-win situtation.  He couldn't win this game with either of the QBs he had at his disposal.  Could he have done some things better?  Probably.  What it have made any difference in the outcome?  Highly unlikely IMO.

Tacobell -

Good point but if LSU wouldn't change their game plan then Alabama would beat up on them again. LSU just can't line up and outphysical that Bama team the way they did other opponents. For the coaches to not see that astounds me. They didn't even try to throw downfield or run any misdirection or "trick" plays. With such a physical, sound, fundamentally great football team like Bama you have to think "outside the box" so to speak when gameplanning for them. The first game between them could have just as easily been won by Alabama. I know Jimmy didn't see them throwing the ball so much but his writeup for the first game was spot on and it pertained to the second game as well. It was a great offensive game plan by Alabama to throw so much on first down. LSU looked totally surprised and unprepared for it. As much as it pains me you just have to give Bama credit and move on. I believe LSU will have the upper hand this year although that remains to be seen if Zettenberger will be any good. And LSU losing Gunner Kiel hurts big time.