College Football Top Performers Week 11: Five Quarterbacks, Three Defenders

Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is grabbed by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Jarran Reed, Linebacker, and Reggie Ragland, Defensive Lineman, Alabama Crimson Tide (Defeated LSU Tigers 20-13 in Overtime)

28 Total Tackles, 2 Tackles for a loss

Here is where the defensive stars come into play. Alabama’s entire defense deserves credit for the fight it put up in Death Valley on Saturday, which is to be expected. We also wish we could give credit to all of the defensive starters.

But Jarran Reed and Reggie Ragland together were all over the field Saturday. They may not have made any dramatic game-changing play, but they were so consistently in on every play that they both equally belong here.

Reed compiled 15 tackles along with a tackle for a loss against LSU, while Ragland put up 13 tackles with a tackle for a loss. And although Sims had a great game, especially at the end, it can’t be ignored that he was helped out by the defense all day. They were consistently put in bad positions, and they consistently showed up.

So in an epic overtime finish to add to the book of great LSU-Alabama games over the past six years, while Sims wrote another chapter, the Alabama defense wrote a chapter as well. And Reed and Ragland led that defense.

Next: 5th of 10 College Football Top Performers