Coming into his 11th season, LSU football’s head coach Les Miles has had plenty of memorable games. Die-hard Tiger fans often debate which was his best-coached or most exciting of them all. After much thought, three members of The Daily Reveille sports staff each picked what they believed was Miles’ most memorable games. 
James Bewers: November 5, 2011 – Tuscaloosa, Alabama: No. 1 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama. Final: 9-6 (OT) 
The greatest game of the Les Miles era wasn’t the most well-played contest of his tenure at LSU.
Of course, the final score is an indication of America’s top-two defenses playing at their highest level. But the matchup, known as the “Game of the
Century” before any player stepped on the field, had plenty of missed opportunities, poor decisions and critical errors.
Its greatness, though, lies in the collection of talent on the field in a game that meant everything for both teams at the time. With 45 players drafted from both squads, including 14 first round selections, it’s hard to argue these weren’t two of the best college football teams of this century.
In reality, the 2011 installment of the rivalry that has become one of the premier games every season was an all out war of attrition.
The game was so hyped that any expectations of how it was going to play out would probably have been unrealistic. Some thought the low-scoring outcome, while maybe predictable, was far from entertaining. If you were looking for a shootout, you came to the wrong place from opening kickoff.
Entering the game, LSU was scoring touchdowns on 79 percent of its possessions in the red zone. “Eighty is perfection,” said CBS analyst Spencer Tillman before the game.
Meanwhile, Alabama, allowed just five total touchdowns in its opponents’ only nine possessions inside the 20-yard line.
Alabama won that battle, but it became meaningless when miscues and equally stifling LSU defense kept the Tide offense at bay.
Both teams threw two interceptions. LSU punted the ball six times. Alabama missed four field goals — three of them coming on its first three drives. The Tigers were just 3-of-11 on third down conversions, while Alabama was just 5-of-13.
On the other hand, the lack of offense led to a game where every play, especially in the second half, seemed to be meaningful. If either defense let up for a series or even a single down, the momentum of the game could have dramatically shifted.
Special teams, obviously, was the difference maker. LSU kicker Drew Alleman connected on all three of his attempts, including the game-winner following another Alabama miss in overtime. But the play of the game was the second of two Tiger interceptions on back-to-back Tide drives in a 6-6 game.
Much like it had done several times in the games, Alabama was able to move the ball into LSU territory, pushing the ball inside the LSU 30-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Nick Saban then decided to do something you may have only thought Miles would do — a trick play.
With Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron lined up a wide receiver in a “Wildcat” formation, Tide wide receiver Marquis Maze took the first-down snap, faked a handoff and launched a pass to tight end Michael Williams near the goal line.
Seemingly out of no where, LSU safety Eric Reid tracked down the underthrown pass and ripped it away from Williams as they fell to the ground. While there was plenty of time left, Reid’s interception prevented what could have been the first and only touchdown of the game, which probably would have been enough for an Alabama win.
Fate would lead the Tide and Tigers to play again in the National Championship, ending the Tigers’ perfect run through the 2011 season on a very sour note. In essence, the ninth victory of the season meant little for LSU’s ultimate goal.
But in a game of such magnitude, LSU rose to the occasion in a raucous environment against the only team as good as it. It was far from pretty, but it was a mark of how special the 2011 season was for the Tigers, especially against Miles’ predecessor.
If you weren’t on the edge of your seat for No. 1 versus No. 2 on November 5, 2011, you weren’t really paying attention.
You can reach James Bewers on Twitter @JamesBewers_TDR.
Morgan Prewitt: January 7, 2008 – New Orleans, Louisiana : No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 2 LSU. Final: 38-24
During his decade at LSU, Les Miles has nearly induced heart attacks in the Tiger faithful countless times with risky calls and late comebacks.
From the legendary five fourth downs conversions against Florida in 2007 to his fake punt call against the Gators in 2011, Miles has earned his “Mad Hatter” nickname, even if he doesn’t like it.
Ironically, the most important game of Miles’ LSU career was not a last second comeback but a solid win — the Tigers’ 38-24 victory against Ohio State in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.
It wasn’t Miles’ play calling, eccentric nature or tendency to nibble on grass that made this game different. It was his ability connect with his players and
inspire them overcome massive momentum swings to capture LSU’s second national championship under the bright lights of the Superdome.
When the Buckeyes’ star sophomore running back Chris “Beanie” Wells ripped off a 65-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the game, Ohio State seemed primed to avenge its 41-14 loss to Florida in 2006 BCS National Championship Game as the Tigers struggled.
Ohio State’s early success rattled the Tigers, who went three-and-out in their first possession and managed only 57 yards of offense in their first three possessions compared to the Buckeyes’ 142.
Although the Tigers seemed shell shocked, Miles and his staff kept them focused on making adjustments as LSU headed into the second quarter trailing just 10-3 despite the production gap.
In the second quarter, LSU exploded offensively with 21 unanswered points behind the senior leadership of quarterback Matt Flynn and running back Jacob Hester.
Throughout the 2007 season, Flynn and Hester stepped up to make the necessary plays to lead the Tigers to the title game and they didn’t disappoint in primetime.
Flynn ignited LSU with a 13-yard touchdown to sophomore tight end Richard Dickson and went on to go 7 for 9 in the quarter with 83 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Hester complemented Flynn’s finesse by powering through the Buckeyes’ top ranked defense, picking up a touchdown and a key third-down conversation.
While the offense clicked, the Tigers also came through on special teams and defense with key plays to flip the momentum in LSU’s favor.
Miles’ trademark special teams blocked a field goal attempt with 10:53 minutes left in the half to hold the Buckeyes’ scoreless in the quarter. Senior defensive back Chevis Jackson picked off Ohio State’s junior quarterback Todd Boeckman for his fifth interception of the season on Ohio State’s next possession.
Although the Tigers went into the half with a two touchdown lead, Ohio State and LSU went back and forth in the second half until LSU made a fourth down stand in the fourth quarter.
After Flynn extended LSU’s lead with a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Early Doucet in the opening drive of the half, Ohio State responded with a five-yard touchdown pass by Boeckman.
The Buckeyes’ comeback fell short when Boeckman was sacked by senior linebacker Ali Highsmith and fumbled on a fourth down conversion attempt early in the quarter.
Despite each team notching another touchdown in the quarter, the Buckeyes never cut the Tigers lead to any less than 14 points, earning LSU its third national championship in program history.
By navigating the swings of the game and connecting to his players, Miles legitimized LSU as a national power by earning the title as the first school to win two national championships during the BCS era.
The national championship vaulted Miles into the upper echelon of college coaches with a touch of his personality with a “Woo” in the middle of the national championship press conference.
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.
Jack Woods: October 6, 2007 – Baton Rouge, Louisiana : No. 1 LSU vs. No. 9 Florida. Final: 28-24
The Tigers and the Gators put on an unforgettable display in a game with just about everything a college football fan could dream of.
Everything that happened on the field was pure drama, but the real show was on the LSU sideline, courtesy of Miles. He kept rolling the dice, and it kept paying off.
Nothing highlights Miles’ “Mad Hatter” nickname quite like five fourth-down conversions on five attempts, two of those conversions directly resulting in touchdowns. Oh, and there was a fake field goal to set up another touchdown.
At three different times, the Tigers trailed by 10 points, but Miles’ gambles kept the game close until LSU finally surged ahead late in the fourth quarter.
A Joey Ijjas field goal and a Tim Tebow touchdown pass had the Gators leading by 10 points early in the second quarter, but LSU responded with a 16-play, 80-yard drive to cut the lead to three.
It looked like LSU’s drive had stalled at Florida’s one-yard line, but Miles sent his offense back onto the field on fourth and goal. Backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux repaid Miles’ trust in the offense with a one yard touchdown run.
Tebow restored Florida’s double-digit lead just before halftime with a rushing touchdown from nine yards out.
Miles’ bold play calling allowed LSU to chip away at Florida’s lead in the third quarter. Faced with fourth and five from Florida’s 25-yard line, Miles called for a fake field goal, and Matt Flynn scampered for eight yards and a first down. The call set up Keiland Williams’ four-yard touchdown run a few plays later.
Tebow’s 37-yard touchdown pass gave the Gators another 10 point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but once again, the Gators couldn’t maintain it.
LSU scored on fourth down again when Flynn linked up with Demetrius Byrd for a four-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to three with plenty of time left in the game.
LSU’s final drive was also the Les Miles show. Faced with two fourth down situations, Miles called on Jacob Hester twice, and Hester ran for the necessary yardage both times.
The second call was as bold as you can possibly get. LSU was inside Florida’s 10-yard line, and Miles elected to go for the win rather than sending out Colt David (who had already missed two field goals) to tie the game.
The drive culminated in Hester plunging into the endzone. LSU had the lead, finally out in front for the first time at the most important time.
Florida fell short on its last drive, and LSU prevailed, 28-24.
It was a huge win against a highly ranked foe, and with then-No. 2 USC’s loss to Stanford on the same night, LSU strengthened its hold on the No. 1 spot in the polls.
But it’s the manner of the win that makes it Miles’ greatest. LSU won by being bold. Miles made calls that few coaches would make, and he was rewarded for it. At certain times that night it felt like Miles could give you the winning lottery numbers in addition to a vast amount of football knowledge.
The high-risk, high-reward approach will make sure the game is talked about for years to come. When people debate about the best LSU games they have attended, this one is often used to one-up somebody, and it’s understandable why people play the LSU/UF trump card.
Quite frankly, it’s just hard to top.
You can reach Jack Woods on Twitter @Jack_TDR.