Alabama's Win Over LSU Still Exposed Some Major Concerns

The Alabama Crimson Tide came away with a huge victory over the LSU Tigers on Saturday, winning 31-13 in Baton Rouge and, barring a wild loss down the stretch, likely punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff.

All while sending Lane Kiffin packing in the process.

But while Alabama's win against LSU was obviously impressive, it also revealed some concerns about the team that make you wonder about its national championship chances.

The Crimson Tide were outgained by the Tigers 457 to 285 in terms of total yardage. They also registered 13 first downs compared to 27 for LSU.

Yes, Alabama certainly made more plays when it mattered. It forced two conventional turnovers (one interception and one fumble recovery) and also made LSU turn the ball over on downs four times. So the Crimson Tide got key stops.

However, Alabama's bend-don't-break defense is definitely questionable, especially when the Tide will be facing much better offensive teams in the playoff.

And yes, LSU boasts the top-ranked defense in the SEC, but Alabama's inability to consistently move the football throughout the game was problematic. Meanwhile, the Tigers moved the ball regularly.

It's true that good teams find ways to win games, and that's exactly what Kalen DeBoer's squad did in a pivotal moment down in the Bayou. Had the Crimson Tide lost, they probably would have kissed their CFP chances goodbye.

So there is something to be said for Alabama's ability to overcome adversity on the road yet again. Remember: it also did it at Kentucky earlier in the year.

But we also can't forget the Crimson Tide's inability to get much of anything going offensively against both Georgia and Tennessee, and its defense now ranks a very modest eighth in the SEC. That's smack dab in the middle of the conference.

Fortunately, Alabama will face Vanderbilt, Chattanooga and Auburn to end the regular season. Those three teams are a combined 15-13, so the Crimson Tide should have no trouble winning out the rest of the way (although Auburn is always a tough matchup).

I'm not worried about that. I'm more concerned with how 'Bama will handle itself against the best of the best in the CFP, because we've already seen Alabama fold twice versus two of the top teams in the country.

DeBoer has given Crimson Tide fans reason to believe more than they did two years ago. But has he given them a reason to believe wholeheartedly? Not yet.