Rare is the game that lives up to the hype.
But the “Game of the Century” between LSU and the University of Alabama had everything a fan, player, coach or media member could dream up.
The teams have two weeks to prepare, game plan and build anticipation for a No. 1 versus No. 2 Southeastern Conference division rivalry.
The matchup pitted two national champion coaches at LSU against each other in current LSU coach Les Miles and Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“It was really crazy,” said former LSU safety Brandon Taylor. “Knowing that superstars like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Lil Wayne was at an LSU football game just made it more exciting. That was probably the biggest game ever in LSU history.”
From their undefeated records, blowout wins and future NFL-ridden rosters, the Tigers and the Crimson Tide collided on Nov. 5, 2011, in a showdown that sparked the rivalry and each fan base’s hatred of the other to unprecedented heights.
“It’s a great feeling getting a victory from Alabama,” said former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson. “It’s a championship before a championship. It’s something that is very important if you’re [an] SEC top caliber [team] in the West.”
In spite of the typical preaching, LSU approached the game like any other. The hype reached the Tigers in the visitor’s tunnel of newly renovated Bryant-Denny Stadium before heading out for warmups.
Miles took the team back into the locker room to calmed them down.
“When we came out of the locker room for warm ups, half of the team was about to pass out because our energy level was so high, and we were so amped up,” Taylor said. “Coach Miles had to bring us to the locker room and tell us to calm down.”
From the first snap, the 2011 clash of titans was an instant classic forged by elite playmakers on both sides, or at least on defense.
The Tigers and Tide’s offenses combined for eight of 24 third-down conversions, averaging just 4.5 yards per offensive play.
After exchanging two field goals a piece,, then-junior running back Trent Richardson put Alabama in position to take the lead with a 24-yard run to the LSU 28-yard line with 11:26 left in the fourth quarter.
On the next play, the Crimson Tide’s then-sophomore quarterback AJ McCarron motions outside for then-senior wide receiver Marquis Maze to take the shotgun snap in the wildcat.
As Maze dropped back, then-junior tight end Michael Williams ran uncovered down the center of the field for what appeared to be an easy touchdown.
Maze released the ball, and the hearts of the Tiger faithful skipped a beat as LSU then-sophomore safety Eric Reid recovered and fought Williams for the ball on the one-yard line for an interception.
In a game defined by defense, Reid did just what was expected of the Tigers’ elite secondary – he simply made a play.
“That was a busted coverage in that play,” Taylor said. “He just made a great play because that wasn’t even his man that he was covering. We had never seen that formation. … To have that happen that changed the momentum of the game and got it back to our side. That actually saved us.”
On the sideline, Jefferson snapped on his helmet and went back to grinding against the Tide’s defense after taking over for senior-starter Jarrett Lee, who had thrown two interceptions.
For Jefferson, the game was the first step to redemption after being sidelined during the Tigers’ first four games for the off-the-field issues.
“For me, it was a moment of redemption,” Jefferson said. “I had a brief conversation with Les Miles before I went onto the field for my possession. He told me that he had full trust in me and he wanted me to bring home the victory, so I took it upon myself to refocus myself … to leading the team to victory.”
Jefferson sparked the offense with 110 all-purpose yards and did just enough to put the Tigers’ Second-Team All-SEC placekicker Drew Alleman in position to make the necessary kicks.
After both defenses notched shutouts in the remainder of the fourth quarter, Alabama then-sophomore placekicker Cade Foster’s 52-yard field goal attempt fell short, giving LSU an opportunity to, as Miles says, “secure avictory.”
The Tigers’ running back rotation of Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Kenny Hilliard plowed the Tide’s defense down to Alabama’s eight-yard line on the ensuing drive, setting up a chip shot for Alleman.
On third-and-goal, Miles sent out Alleman, and Saban called a timeout to ice him.
Alleman said he remembered joking around with LSU redshirt freshman punter and holder Brad Wing during the break.
“Brad and I were laughing because it wasn’t like it was a tough field goal,” Alleman said. “We were making some jokes on the sideline. Just laughing with Miles, telling him to get ready with his game-winning dance in the locker room after the game.”
Seconds later, Alleman shut out the world and made the 25-yard field goal from the middle of the field for the Tigers’ iconic 9-6 win.
“We went back out there and completed the kick successfully,” Alleman said.
In the four LSU-Alabama games since 2011, LSU hasn’t notched a victory against the Tide, but the rivalry continues to grow because in the words of LSU sophomore safety Jamal Adams: The teams “just don’t like each other.”

Gallery • 1 Photos

Butch Dill

LSU safety Eric Reid (1) intercepts the ball from Alabama tight end Michael Williams (89) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. LSU won 9-6 in overtime. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)