Good afternoon, Tiger fans.

I'm Scott Rabalais, Senior Writer for TigerGumbo.com, coming to you from the press box at Tiger Stadium. Welcome to our game blog for today's long-anticipated, epic encounter between the No. 15-ranked Fighting Tigers and the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Just came from seeing Alabama's arrival at Tiger Stadium, and it was not nearly as bad as anticipated. Alabama fans outnumbered LSU fans about 50-to-1 around the visitors' entrance, so Nick Saban heard almost nothing but cheers as he was hustled off the lead bus and into the locker room under heavy guard.

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Interestingly, Saban was sporting a light purple tie - a peace offering to ticked Tiger fans, perhaps? We will have video on the site of Saban's arrival later today.

Saban also attended Michael Clayton's number retirement at Christian Life Academy on Friday night and was seen wearing a purple jacket. Probably the first time he's gotten to bring that out of the closet since he left LSU.

Saban did not attend the bonfire at the Tiger Manor condo complex just off the campus, but about 150 LSU fans did as his likeness was burned in effigy. Check out the story on 2theadvocate.com.

Weather conditions: It's about an hour before kickoff, and Tiger Stadium is slowly starting to fill. It's a picture perfect afternoon, about 75 degrees under a brilliant blue sky. The Tigers, gleaming in their gold helmets and pants and white jerseys, are just starting to take the field for pregame warmups.

2:40 until kickoff: LSU has taken the field, followed by Bama. And no, the boo for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide wasn't that huge.

The Tigers win the toss and choose to defer until the second half, so Alabama will get the ball first.

At long last, this game is here. Here we go ...

11:42 remaining, 1st quarter: The first break, and it's a big one, goes to LSU. Alabama takes the opening kickoff and marches from its 27 to a thirnd-and-6 at the LSU 26. Bama QB John Parker Wilson spins right out of heavy pressure and somehow hits WR Earl Alexander. He drags Chris Hawkins down toward the goal line but just before he reaches across Chad Jones comes in and swats the ball out of bounds. An instant replay upheld the call. It was very close, but there was no camera on the goal line (why is there never a camera on the goal line?), so it was no surprise that the ruling was upheld. There was simply not an angle that could give the replay official a view to overturn the call. LSU takes over at its 20.

8:23 remaining, 1st quarter: The second break, even bigger, goes to Bama. LSU gets backed up and on third-and-17 from the 13 Jarrett Lee throws over the middle for Demetrius Byrd. It was a tough catch but the ball hit Byrd in the hands and it bounced into the arms of Bama's Rashad Johnson, who returned the ball 10 yards to the LSU 15. Yes, it's another pick for Lee, but not really his fault. LSU I thought should have run it and punted it and taken its chances.Four plays later, John Parker Wilson scores on a 1-yard keeper on third-and-goal to put Bama up 7-0. Wilson was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and Bama has to kickoff from its 15. Keiland Williams returns it out to the LSU 45, good field position for the Tigers as they try to answer.

5:57 remaining, 1st quarter: LSU shows a lot of heart and puts Bama behind for only the second time this season. First, Jarrett Lee hits Demetrius Byrd on a 30-yard touchdown pass as he beat CB Kareem Jackson at the 3. Nice pass. On the ensuing kickoff, Javier Arenas fumbled on a hit by Ron Brooks, the ball recovered by kicker Josh Jasper at the Bama 30. On second-and-10, with Bama NG Terrence Cody out, Charles Scott went right up the middle, gave a player a little Knowshown Moreno about the 20 and was gone to give LSU a 14-7 lead. Tiger Stadium is ROCKING.

13:04 remaining, 2nd quarter: Alabama trailed for all of 1:15 in one game this season, but has now been behind since the 5:57 mark of the first quarter. The Tigers just punted back to Bama at the Crimson Tide 48, but not until after talented freshman cornerback Patrick Peterson intercepted John Parker Wilson at the 16 and went out of bounds at the LSU 14, a spectacular play. It was Alabama's third turnover of the game. Few if any teams have been this generous to LSU turnover-wise this year. If that keeps up, the Tigers chances are greatly enhanced.

4:33 remaining, 2nd quarter: This is really hard to believe. Jarrett Lee has just thrown his sixth interception return for a touchdown this season. On third-and-8 from the LSU 36, Lee sailed a pass high over the middle intended from Brandon LaFell and right into the arms of FS Rashad Johnson, who returned the pass 54 yards for a touchdown to tie the score 14-14. This has to be totally in Lee's head now. Both of his interceptions have led to Bama touchdowns. LSU's defense has really played one of its better games despite allowing nearly 200 yards to this point to Alabama. It's hard to imagine LSU holding on to win if Lee doesn't show some second-half improvement as he did at Auburn.

We are at halftime, with LSU and Alabama tied 14-14. How do you size up the first half? Generally, LSU outplayed Alabama, but two more Jarrett Lee interceptions - including one for a touchdown - have evened the playing field. LSU's defense has given up 200 yards, but is playing well. The Tigers could well be ahead by two scores right now.

As it is, it's no the worst thing in the world that the score is tied. LSU has been more of a second-half team than Alabama has this season, and that bodes well for the Tigers' upset bid. If ... IF ... Jarrett Lee can break out of his funk and complete some more passes to his team. Right now he's 4 of 16 passing for 63 yards.

Here are the first half stats, courtesy of the boys back in Bristol with ESPN.com:

First-half statistics

8:14 remaining, 3rd quarter: Alabama reasserted itself with the running game, rolling 69 yards in 7 plays for a 3-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee for a 21-14 lead. LSU's offense has looked completely inept on its first two possessions, combining for just 10 total yards. That's 14 straight by Alabama, which looked worthy of its ranking on that drive. Where will LSU find the answers on offense? Can they trust Jarrett Lee to pass? The Tigers will have to take the risk because Bama is stacking the line, daring Lee to pass. Will we ever see Jordan Jefferson in the game?

We go to the 4th quarter: LSU has outgained Bama 297-269, and has the Tide back at its 10 in the north end zone. Tiger Stadium with a record crowd of 93,039, is rocking big time. LSU needs a stop and a spark on offense.

6:21 remaining: And down the stretch they come. Charles Scott smashes in from the 1 behind Quinn Johnson and we're tied again, 21-21. Jarrett Lee, 9 of 28 coming into that drive, was 4 of 4, with lots of roll out rights. LSU has outgained Bama 371-280, the most yards surrendered by the Tide this season.

2:58 remaining: This is now LSU's game to win. Tied at 21-21, the Tigers have the ball at their 14 after a John Parker Wilson 32-yard scramble for at TD was erased by a holding penalty on Andre Smith against Rahim Alem. LSU then forced a punt. Can Jarrett Lee lead the Tigers downfield?

12 seconds remaining: Only a miracle will save LSU now. Bama has it at the LSU 12 trying to set up a field goal as the game ends. Three seconds remain. Leigh Tiffin, who missed earlier, is on for a 29-yard field goal try from the middle of the field.

IT'S BLOCKED! LSU got a huge push right in the middle and got a block from Ricky Jean-Francois as time exprires. What a stunner. LSU looked dead to rights and Jean-Francois bloks a field goal like he did against Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game.

We're going to Overtime, tied 21-21!

1st Overtime: Here's the coin toss ... Alabama wins and chooses to play defense. LSU picks the end of the field and selects the north end zone.

Jarrett Lee throws his fourth interception on third-and-6 at the 21, trying to thread it to Brandon LaFell in double coverage and got picked off again by FS Rashad Johnson. It's Lee's fourth interception of the game.

Alabama makes quick work of LSU. John Parker Wilson throws a 24-yard pass to Julio Jones, setting up his own sneak two plays later.

This one will sting for a while for LSU. Alabama wins 27-21, goes to 10-0 and 6-0 in the SEC and clinches the SEC West. LSU falls to 6-3 and 3-3, its first three-loss season under Les Miles, and loses to Bama for the first time since 2002.

FINAL: Alabama 27, LSU 21 (OT)