In a past life, long before Nick Saban became the overlord and foreman powering the indomitable machine that is Alabama football, he was the head coach of LSU. He even won a national championship there before having a short affair with the NFL and returning to the SEC. His replacement, Les Miles from Oklahoma State, quickly matched Saban’s success with the Tigers with his audacious and unique play calling style that gave him the nickname the Mad Hatter. And somehow, the Mad Hatter vs. the Machine has become arguably the best rivalry in college football the last couple of years.
At the forefront of this rivalry has been the two head coaches, both as visual and stylistic opposites. Miles might be the most fun coach to watch at any given press conference. If Saban makes one joke it gets reported by every news outlet as news. Miles is mostly light tempered and energetic, especially fired up after big wins. Saban after a big win will still be upset over an illegal formation penalty in the second quarter. And yet both the process for Saban, and seemingly lack thereof one for Miles, have contributed to crucial and competitive SEC battles that have decided 5 of the last 6 SEC West winners.
This Saturday, College Gameday will be visiting Tuscaloosa for what will not only heavily factor in to the SEC winner, but see if Miles and his Tigers can stop Alabama’s run at three straight titles. In honor of what this Saturday’s game will bring, here is a look at some of the greatest battles between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers in the past.
1964 No. 3 Alabama 17, No.8 LSU 9 – This is the first year in what became an annual rivalry between the two teams, legendary head coaches Bear Bryant and Charlie McClendon met for the first time in a low scoring affair. Joe Namath couldn’t get much going, but it didn’t matter as Alabama stifled LSU and went on later to win the national championship.
1993 LSU 17, No. 1 Alabama 13 – A Mobile Press-Register reporter said pigs would fly if Alabama lost, as Alabama had won 31 straight games and was a 25-point favorite, but the 3-5 LSU defense wreaked havoc over Alabama’s offense forcing 4 interceptions and squeaking out a narrow victory.
2005 No. 5 LSU 16, No. 4 Alabama 13 OT – Alabama started off the season 9-0 and found itself in the national title picture for the first time in a while, but LSU overcame a 10-0 deficit in the third quarter and won on a JaMarcus Russel touchdown pass in overtime.
2008 No. 1 Alabama 27, No. 16 LSU 21 OT – In Nick Saban’s first game back at Death Valley, LSU blocked a last second field goal to send the game to overtime. However safety Rashad Johnson intercepted a pass in overtime, and Alabama remained unbeaten.
2010 No. 10 LSU 24, No. 6 Alabama 21– Even with a loss to South Carolina earlier in the season, Alabama still had an outside chance at the national championship going into Baton Rouge. Miles was up to his usual ways though, successfully converting on fourth down in the fourth quarter, and ultimately holding on for the win.
2011 No. 1 LSU 9, No. 2 Alabama 6 OT – In what was coined as the “Game of the Century” and arguably most hyped game in SEC history, LSU took advantage of Alabama’s inability to convert on offense and won by kicking a field goal after Alabama missed its fourth field goal of the game in overtime. However, Alabama went on to win the rematch in the national championship 21-0.
2012 No. 1 Alabama 21, No. 5 LSU 17 – In what is famously known as “the Drive,” A.J. McCarron led the Tide on a 72-yard drive, scoring on a 28-yard T.J.Yeldon screen pass with 51 seconds left to take the lead. The Tide ultimately went on to win its second straight national championship.
