Alabama got outgained by almost 200 yards in Death Valley and still won going away.

Keelon Russell threw three touchdown passes and the No. 9 Crimson Tide made a string of fourth-down stops in a 31-13 win over No. 15 LSU on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

Alabama improved to 7-2 and 5-2 in the SEC and stayed firmly in the College Football Playoff picture. LSU fell to 6-3 and 3-3 in its first season under Lane Kiffin, who is now 0-6 against Alabama in his coaching career.

LSU moved the ball but couldn't finish

Sam Leavitt completed 35 of 47 passes for 380 yards but was intercepted for the first time in three games. LSU outgained Alabama 457-285 and ran 28 more plays.

The Tigers went 0 for 4 on fourth down, missed a 56-yard field goal and turned the ball over in Alabama territory. Chuck McDonald III batted down a fourth-and-4 pass at the Alabama 10 and Luke Metz intercepted Leavitt at the Alabama 24 in the first half.

Alabama led 10-3 at halftime on a Conor Talty field goal and a 1-yard touchdown run by Ryan Coleman-Williams.

A quick answer and a gamble that backfired

LSU briefly took the lead on Dilin Jones' 5-yard touchdown run to cap a 90-yard drive. Alabama needed just 2:08 to answer. Rico Scott turned a short pass into a 57-yard gain and Russell found Josh Ford for a 7-yard score.

Russell later hit Cederian Morgan for a 25-yard touchdown and Kaleb Edwards from 4 yards out.

With eight minutes left Kiffin kept his offense on the field on fourth-and-10 at the LSU 25. Leavitt was sacked and Alabama scored three plays later.

A star-studded crowd

First lady Melania Trump was in the stands at Tiger Stadium. Kevin Costner, Paul Skenes, Angel Reese, Shaquille O'Neal and Livvy Dunne walked alongside Kiffin on the Tiger Walk before the game.

Alabama has now won seven of its last eight games at Tiger Stadium. The Tide visit Vanderbilt next Saturday while LSU hosts No. 10 Texas.