Former LSU and Alabama stars have moved on from their respective teams after last season’s matchups, making Saturday’s battle a different game entirely.
Known as defensive juggernauts, both teams lost key members of their secondary including Crimson Tide safety Mark Barron, who had 11 tackles and two pass break ups combined in both contests between the Tigers and Tide last season.
Meanwhile, LSU is without Jim Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne.
Short on offensive firepower, electrifying Alabama running back Trent Richardson has departed to Cleveland while LSU deep threat Rueben Randle is trying to break in with the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
The two schools combined to have 13 players drafted in this year’s NFL draft, including six in the first round.
LSU CB Morris Claiborne:
11/5/11: 3 total tackles, one interception, one break up
1/9/12: 5 total tackles
NOW: Rotates in at CB for the Dallas Cowboys
Alabama RB Trent Richardson:
11/5/11: 169 total yards (89 rushing, 80 receiving)
1/9/12: 107 total yards (96 rushing, 11 receiving), rush TD
NOW: Starting RB for the Cleveland Browns
LSU WR Rueben Randle:
11/5/11: 2 rec. 19 yds
1/9/12: 3 rec. 13 yds.
NOW: Rotating in at WR for the New York Giants
Alabama LB Courtney Upshaw:
11/5/11: 6 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hurries
1/9/12: 7 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
NOW: Starting LB for the Baltimore Ravens
LSU CB Tyrann Mathieu:
11/5/11: 5 total tackles
1/9/12: 6 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 pass break ups
NOW: Out of football, arrested for possession of marijuana on Oct. 25
Alabama S Mark Barron:
11/5/11: 6 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception
1/9/12: 2 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
NOW: DB for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Former LSU star cornerback Tyrann Mathieu is placed in a police car at Baton Rouge Police Department Second District Police Station bound for East Baton Rouge Parish Prison after he and former LSU football players Jordan Jefferson, Derrick Bryant and Karnell Hatcher were found in The Venue at Northgate with 18 grams of marijuana in Baton Rouge, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 (AP Photo/The Daily Reveille, Catherine Threlkeld)
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Houston Texans running back Justin Forsett (28) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive end DeAngelo Tyson (93) and Courtney Upshaw (91) during the second half of their NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 43-13. (AP Photo/The Waco Tribune-Herald, Jose Yau)
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New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (43) slips past Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Mark Barron (24) to score on a nine-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/ Phelan Ebenhack)
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Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson (33) breaks a tackle by San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle (32) on a 26-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of an NFL football game in the rain on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
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Former LSU star cornerback Tyrann Mathieu is placed in a police car at Baton Rouge Police Department Second District Police Station bound for East Baton Rouge Parish Prison after he and former LSU football players Jordan Jefferson, Derrick Bryant and Karnell Hatcher were found in The Venue at Northgate with 18 grams of marijuana in Baton Rouge, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 (AP Photo/The Daily Reveille, Catherine Threlkeld)
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Houston Texans running back Justin Forsett (28) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive end DeAngelo Tyson (93) and Courtney Upshaw (91) during the second half of their NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 43-13. (AP Photo/The Waco Tribune-Herald, Jose Yau)