re: "Alabama moved the ball very well against LSU"

I think the fact that both teams had a virtually identical average starting spot on possessions is a strong indicator of how even the game was played. LSU averaged starting on its own 26, and Bama averaged starting on its own 27 - so field position did not disproportionately determine the outcome of that game.The Claiborne interception and return to the Alabama 15 was without a doubt the most important play of the entire game.

Time of possession was almost exactly identical (30:06 to 29:54, Alabama), penalties were spread evenly (LSU 7 for 56 yards and Bama 6 for 73 yards) and both teams struggled about evenly on 3rd down conversions (LSU 3 for 11, and Bama 5 for 13). They dominated us in passing yards, and we bested them pretty good in rushing yards.

No objective individual can dispute that, as stated above, the Claiborne interception was the game-changer. It's just a shame that given the ball at the Bama 15, our offense could not move the ball more than 2 yards.