"...we were a bad kicker away from a locked up 14th national championship."

If Alabama had run more than 3 offensive plays in the red zone in the game, their kicker(s) would have had a better chance to make more kicks. It also didn't help that when Alabama was inside LSU's 30 yard line they "gained" a total of -17 yards.

Alabama FGs:
44 Missed
50 Missed
49 Blocked
34 Made
46 Made
52 Missed

According to a chart from the 2005 NFL season (link at the bottom of this post), FG attempts from 44 yards by NFL kickers were successful around 70% of the time. Percentages dropped sharply with increases in distance from there. FG attempts of 50 or more yards were successful only 52% of the time. NOTE: Those percentages are based on stats from the best FG kickers on the planet.

There are 9 teams in the NFL this season that have not made a FG from 50 yards or longer and 18 teams that have not made a FG from 52 yards or longer. This is in a year in which, as of October 27, NFL kickers were (and possibly still are) on pace for the best FG percentage in NFL history.

LSU FGs:
19 Made
30 Made
25 Made

On the other hand, FG attempts from 30 yards or less by NFL kickers were successful over 80% of the time according to the chart, with kicks inside 25 yards being a near guarantee.

The kickers weren't the biggest problem for Alabama.

Alabama achieved a 3-0 lead 26 minutes and 7 seconds into the game. Up until that point, they'd dominated LSU, but from there it was a different story. Over the next 33 minutes and 53 seconds of regulation and then overtime, it was Alabama who was dominated.

Game stats from 3:53 remaining 2nd qtr:

Total Yards
LSU 189
Alabama 114

Rushing Yards
LSU 123
Alabama 31

Trent Richardson is indeed the best player in college football, but LSU made halftime adjustments to limit him to 36 yards on 12 carries and 19 yards on 2 receptions in the second half. 16 of Richardson's 23 carries went for 3 yards or less.

LSU pinned Alabama deep in their own territory twice only to relinquish field position as a result of penalties.

BOTH teams were given short fields on offense as a result of turnovers.

LSU had the ball first and goal at Alabama's 2 yard line and was held to a FG.

My point is that Alabama did not lose because their kickers missed low percentage kicks. Halftime contests at basketball games would be much less interesting if 1 contestant was forced to shoot from half court while their competitor was allowed to shoot layups.

You can blame Alabama's inability to do anything on offense in the second half. Blame Maze for failing to field the punt (or Saban for having him in the game while injured). Blame the decisions to kick FGs rather than punting. Blame the replay officials for confirming an interception that WAS an interception on a trick play. Blame AJ McCarron's inability to play the quarterback position. Blame Alabama's inability to stop LSU's speed option late in the game.

Or, you can blame Les Miles. Blame John Chavis. Blame Brad Wing. Blame Eric Reid. Blame Jordan Jefferson. Blame Morris Claiborne. Blame Sam Montgomery. Blame Will Blackwell. Blame Chris Faulk...

Regardless of what you do, please make sure to blame yourself and the majority of the Alabama fan base for your incapacity to accept that Alabama is not the best team in the country.

I love the smell of corn dogs in the morning. They smell like, victory.




https://www.bookofodds.com/Daily-Life-Activities/Sports/Articles/A0153-Behind-the-Numbers-It-s-Easier-to-Kick-a-Field-Goal-Today