The dominant defenses turned the so-called Game of the Century into a kickers' duel, and LSU's Drew Alleman was up to the challenge with three field goals, including a 25-yarder in overtime to lift the top-ranked Tigers to a 9-6 victory over No. 2 Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

LSU (9-0, 6-0 SEC) takes control of the SEC West and gains the inside track to the national championship game, while Alabama (8-1, 5-1 SEC) will need some help to get back into the national title picture.

Michael Ford's 15-yard run to the Alabama 7 set up Alleman's winning kick after the Tigers had pushed Alabama back and forced a Cade Foster miss from 52 yards on the first possession of overtime.

Alabama missed four goals as Foster missed from 44 and 50 yards in regulation, and Jeremy Shelley had a 49-yard attempt blocked.

LSU's defense helped it overcome a difficult game for starting quarterback Jarrett Lee, who was 3-for-7 for 24 yards with a pair of interceptions. Lee had thrown only one interception in 160 pass attempts entering the game.

The Tigers forced a pair of turnovers, including Eric Reid's interception of a pass by receiver Marquis Maze at the 1-yard line. Reid took the ball away from Alabama's Mike Williams as the two fell to the ground and the call was confirmed as an interception after a video review.

The Tigers held Alabama star Trent Richardson to less than 100 yards rushing for the second consecutive game, though Richardson was the Crimson Tide's most potent weapon with 89 yards rushing and 80 receiving.

Neither team has been accustomed to playing such a close game. The Crimson Tide had won nine consecutive games by 16 points or more, and LSU had won its past nine games by at least 13 points.

The matchup was the first between the nation's top two teams during the regular season since top-ranked Ohio State beat No. 2 Michigan in 2006.