We'll take it: Good luck trying to find better LSU motto

That might end up being the slogan that becomes the bumper sticker that sums up this strange, wonderful LSU season: We'll Take It.

After surviving his own questionable strategies against Florida and Auburn, Miles almost topped himself in this one.

He just had to prove he had the biggest set this side of the dancing circus elephants. With 7½ minutes left and the game tied 27-27, Miles decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 36.

That was questionable enough. Then Miles called for a tricked-up quick shift that was supposed to draw Alabama offside. It did, apparently, because LSU tackle Carnell Stewart was so sure that an Alabama lineman had touched him that he took off his helmet. Why?

"Because" Stewart said, "I was pissed."

Bad move. One you would expect from a Sun Belt team, not one competing for a national championship. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct was tacked onto an illegal procedure penalty. 'Bama's Javier Arenas then took the punt back 61 yards for a touchdown. For a few horrifying minutes that was the dagger that was going to cut Miles out of the hearts of LSU fans, maybe forever.

Red Elephants 34, Red-Faced Coach 27.

Ah, but these Tigers are resourceful. They ignored the Satan, er, Saban in their heads. They overcame 130 yards in penalties. They won despite Matt Flynn the Incredible Interception Machine (three, all in the second quarter).

Most of all, Flynn and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton started throwing to the Tigers' best receiver, Early Doucet. With two weeks to rest his sore groin, Doucet was back for only his second game since September. The problem was until late in the fourth quarter, Doucet had caught only four passes for 36 yards.

Miles seemingly didn't do much right leading up to Saturday night. With two weeks to prepare his quarterback, Flynn wasn't prepared. The defense gave up its most points in regulation this season.

But Miles is smart enough to let his athletes be athletes.

With 2:49 left, Flynn spotted Doucet open in the middle. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Doucet did the rest himself, juking and pounding 31 yards into the end zone to take Miles off the hook and tie the game.

Shortly after Jones stripped Wilson on the Tigers' seventh sack of the game, the exodus began from an exhausted Bryant-Denny.

It was emotional, physical, maybe even metaphysical. You get the distinct impression that the Tigers are now a team of destiny.

"I'm not starting to get the feeling," Flynn said, "We've known this."

Meanwhile, Alabama will be back. Saban almost pulled off the upset with the defense that is only a shadow of what it will be when the coach gets his caliber of players in here. Wilson needs another receiver other than D.J. Hall to rely on, and 'Bama could use a major-college running game. Bad.

In the end, though, everyone agreed that it was good to be done with this passion play and just, well, play.

"My initial feeling was, it's like your playing against someone who's in your family," Saban said.

After the game, Saban sought out several of his Frankensteinian players who, like the monster in the movie, grew up and attacked their creator.

"It felt funny because that's the guy who recruited me," Stewart said. "When you see Coach Saban on the sideline it's hard to see him in the Crimson and White. You're so used to seeing him in the Purple and Gold.

"But yeah," Stewart added, "It feels good beating him."