BATON ROUGE, La. — Keelon Russell threw three touchdown passes and No. 9 Alabama stopped LSU on all four of its fourth-down attempts to beat the 15th-ranked Tigers 31–13 on Saturday.

The Crimson Tide improved to 7–2 overall and 5–2 in Southeastern Conference play, keeping themselves in the College Football Playoff picture, according to Associated Press reporting published by Sportsnet. LSU fell to 6–3 and 3–3 in the conference.

Russell connected with Josh Ford for a seven-yard touchdown, Cederian Morgan for a 25-yard score and Kaleb Edwards for a four-yard touchdown.

Alabama led 10–3 at halftime after a Conor Talty field goal and Ryan Coleman-Williams’ one-yard touchdown run. LSU briefly moved ahead in the second half when Dilin Jones finished an 11-play, 90-yard drive with a five-yard scoring run.

The Tide answered in just two minutes eight seconds. Rico Scott opened the possession with a 57-yard catch and run, setting up Ford’s touchdown reception.

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 35 of 47 passes for 380 yards, but the Tigers repeatedly failed to turn promising possessions into points. Along with their four unsuccessful fourth-down attempts, they missed a field goal and lost possession on an interception in Alabama territory.

One costly gamble came with eight minutes remaining, when LSU coach Lane Kiffin kept his offence on the field for fourth-and-10 at his own 25-yard line. Leavitt was sacked, and Alabama scored three plays later.

LSU outgained Alabama 457–285 and ran 28 more offensive plays, but the Tide won for the seventh time in their past eight visits to Tiger Stadium. Kiffin is now 0–6 against Alabama across his coaching stints at LSU, Mississippi and Tennessee.

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