The SEC West showdown between College Football Playoff hopefuls LSU and Alabama appeared to be heading toward an epic second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium, but the Tigers broke open the game with two touchdowns in the final minute of the second quarter – with the help of a very controversial call just in front of the pylon.

Joe Burrow and the LSU offense took the field with 2:25 remaining and a six-point lead, and Burrow quickly led LSU into the redzone. On first-and-10 from the 17, Burrow hit Thaddeus Moss on the sideline at the 1-yard line, and Moss made a spectacular effort to try and stay in bounds and complete the catch. The pass was ruled a completion on the field, but replays showed that Moss may not have been in bounds when he caught the ball.

The play was reviewed, and a stunning alternate angle from the pylon cam showed that Moss initially stepped out of bounds, and tried to reestablish himself in bounds before catching the ball. Due to the angle, it’s very difficult to see whether Bryant managed to get a foot fully in bounds when he caught the ball.

The commentators and CBS rules expert Gene Steratore were convinced that the ruling would be overturned, either because Moss was out of bounds, or because he was arguably not forced out of bounds and was the first player to touch the ball. Moments later, officials stunned the crowd by announcing that the call was confirmed by the replay.

Steratore said on the broadcast after the half that officials ruled that Moss was forced out by the defender, which meant he was eligible to reestablish himself in bounds to potentially make a catch.

Three plays later, Clyde Edwards-Helaire leapt into the endzone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

To make matters worse for Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa threw an interception on the Crimson Tide’s ensuing possession. Joe Burrow quickly hit Edwards-Helaire on a 13-yard touchdown pass, and an extra point gave LSU a 33-13 lead heading into the locker room.