Anonymous purple-and-gold placekicker sends a field goal toward the uprights before LSU–Alabama

Scott Starzyk Has Made Four Straight Field Goals—Why LSU–Alabama Could Turn on Kicking

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LSU and Alabama have enough firepower to make November 7 feel like a touchdown-or-bust game. The quieter matchup may be waiting on fourth down, where one clean operation can turn a stalled drive into the winning margin.

Quick Answer

LSU kicker Scott Starzyk is 9-for-11 on field goals and 40-for-40 on extra points through eight games in 2026. Starzyk has made four straight field goals entering the November 7 Alabama game. Alabama kicker Conor Talty is 11-for-13, but he missed two attempts in the Crimson Tide's October 24 win over Texas A&M. In a tight game, that recent contrast could matter.

What has Scott Starzyk done for LSU in 2026?

According to LSU's official cumulative statistics, Starzyk has converted 9 of 11 field goals and every one of his 40 extra-point attempts. His season percentage is 81.8%, but the current trend is more useful than the full-season average.

Starzyk missed a field goal against Texas A&M on September 26. Since then, he has made two at Kentucky, one against Mississippi State and one at Auburn. Four consecutive makes will not generate the roar of a 70-yard touchdown, but they build the kind of trust Lane Kiffin needs when a possession stalls near the edge of scoring range.

TigerHype's 2026 LSU team-stat tracker provides the broader offensive context: LSU has created enough scoring opportunities that the kicking unit has not been asked to rescue every drive.

How does Conor Talty compare for Alabama?

Talty's official Alabama player page lists him at 11-for-13 on field goals through eight games, an 84.6% conversion rate. The season line is slightly stronger than Starzyk's, and Talty has made all 36 extra points.

The most recent game introduced tension. In Alabama's official Texas A&M box score, Talty missed from 36 and 42 yards while making a 47-yarder. Alabama still won 31-20, but a November game in Tiger Stadium may not leave room for two empty kicking possessions.

Why could LSU–Alabama turn into a kicking game?

The matchup is full of forces that can compress the scoreboard. LSU has allowed only four passing touchdowns, Alabama has produced 12 interceptions, and both teams have shown they can create negative plays. Those strengths can move possessions out of touchdown rhythm and put the final decision on the kicker.

LSU's early favorite status adds another clue. As the TigerHype betting-line analysis explains, the market expects a competitive game rather than a mismatch. Close spreads make every fourth-down decision, missed kick and short-field opportunity heavier.

What changes for Lane Kiffin on fourth down?

A trusted kicker expands the decision menu. Kiffin does not have to treat every fourth-and-manageable outside the red zone as an automatic offensive snap. Starzyk's four straight makes allow LSU to take points when the game state demands them—and to stay aggressive when field position or score demands more.

The key is range, not just percentage. LSU's field-goal makes have often come from manageable distances, while Talty's 47-yarder against Texas A&M showed Alabama can score from farther out. Pregame warmups, wind and the exact spot of the football will matter more than the clean season percentages.

What should LSU fans watch on November 7?

Operation speed: clean snaps and holds when Tiger Stadium noise spikes.
Fourth-down territory: where Lane Kiffin and Kalen DeBoer decide three points are enough.
Kick location: whether either offense creates attempts beyond its kicker's comfortable range.
Hidden points: extra points, blocked kicks and field position after misses.

The LSU–Alabama game guide has the confirmed 2:30 p.m. Central kickoff and ABC television details. TigerHype's LSU pass-defense breakdown explains why both offenses may have to earn points in smaller pieces.

The kicking matchup in one sentence

Starzyk owns the hotter recent streak; Talty owns the slightly better full-season percentage. If LSU–Alabama reaches the fourth quarter within one possession, the winner may be the team whose kicker turns an imperfect drive into three clean points.

LSU–Alabama kicking FAQ

How many field goals has Scott Starzyk made for LSU in 2026?

Scott Starzyk has made 9 of 11 field-goal attempts through LSU's first eight games of the 2026 season. He is also 40-for-40 on extra points.

How many consecutive field goals has Scott Starzyk made?

Scott Starzyk has made four consecutive field goals: two at Kentucky, one against Mississippi State and one at Auburn.

What are Conor Talty's 2026 field-goal numbers for Alabama?

Alabama kicker Conor Talty is 11-for-13 on field goals through eight games, an 84.6% rate. He made one of three attempts against Texas A&M on October 24.