Alabama stunned by Louisiana Monroe

Alabama’s football season is supposed to be defined by an annual showdown with Auburn, but that may have changed this year.

The Crimson Tide, ranked as high as No. 16 in the nation this season, lost to Louisiana Monroe, 21-14, Saturday in what was supposed to be a tuneup for the Auburn game next Saturday.

It was the third consecutive loss for Alabama (6-5), but easily the most embarrassing considering Louisiana Monroe (5-6) is a middle-of-the-road team from the Sun Belt Conference, a league that was 0-11 against Southeastern Conference teams this season.

It was a performance that left Coach Nick Saban “embarrassed for all of our fans.”

Saban signed a $4-million-per-year contract this season to help turn around a traditional power that is 52-45 since 2000. He took some of the blame for Saturday’s loss that may end up costing Alabama a bowl berth.

“We did all the things in this football game that get you beat regardless of who you play,” he said. “I think we’re all responsible for it. It starts with me.”

It was the WarHawks’ first victory over an SEC team since beating Mississippi State in 1995 and their third in 33 tries, improving their record to 3-29-1.

“I think it was pretty embarrassing,” quarterback John Parker Wilson said. “We let a lot of people down. We shouldn’t have lost. We’re Alabama. We’re supposed to win, and we’re not doing it right now.”