LSU Tigers Barely Stay Inside Of AP Poll Top 25 After Embarrassing Loss To Alabama

The LSU Tigers suffered an incredibly frustrating loss on Saturday afternoon, falling 31-13 to the Alabama Crimson Tide, despite outgaining them 457 yards to 285. As expected, they have gone tumbling in the rankings because of it.

The AP Poll is no longer the main focus, as the College Football Playoff releases their rankings every Tuesday now, but it is a good example of what to expect when that happens. In the newest AP Top 25, the Tigers were able barely cling to life at No. 24, which is a fall of nine spots.

LSU isn't technically out of the College Football Playoff conversation yet, but three losses put them at a very long shot at making the final 12. They are being kept afloat slightly by the fact that they have two more top-10 opponents left, but there still isn't much hope in Baton Rouge right now. A lot would have to roll their way. This is a very chaotic season, though.

They will take on a confident Texas Longhorns team next week, which is ranked No. 8 after dispatching the Missouri Tigers on the road. Arch Manning hasn't had a perfect year, but he has been fantastic over the last two games. He is catching fire at the worst time for LSU.

Manning has completed 75.9% of his passes for 517 yards and six touchdowns in the past two games, both coming against SEC opponents. The talent is there, and the Tigers have not been able to slow down the better quarterbacks that they have faced this season.

LSU should be able to handle the rushing attack, but the Longhorns have been able to win without a ton of production on the ground already this year. It'll be up to Blake Baker to slow down Manning.

Even if the Tigers do survive their meeting with Texas, they will have to head on the road for a meeting with the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers. That game will be different, as the Volunteers have been able to survive with mediocre quarterback play. Running back DeSean Bishop has been fantastic, already eclipsing 1,000 yards this year, and their defense is dangerous.

Sam Leavitt's play on the road has been shaky, so that game will come down to what the offense can do. They did put up over 450 yards of offense this Saturday, but only scored 13 points.

LSU has a lot of reflecting to do if they want to make anything of Lane Kiffin's first year.