The storylines continue to mount.
From LSU junior cornerback Patrick Peterson’s near-interception last season to former defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois’ blocked kick at the end of regulation in 2008, the rivalry between Alabama and LSU has heated up in the last few seasons.
“It’s the game that you mark on the calendar at the beginning of the season,” said LSU junior guard Josh Dworaczyk.
No. 6 Alabama (7-1, 5-1) will defend a two-game winning streak against the Tigers when it rolls into Death Valley on Saturday afternoon to face No. 10 LSU (7-1, 5-1) as both teams come off their bye weeks.
“It’s a big game for us and for them too because we’re both one-loss teams,” said LSU senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver. “They beat us the last two years, so we’re looking forward to going out there and playing our best.”
Alabama and LSU boast the top two defenses in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers surrender 15.6 points and 277.6 yards per game, while the Crimson Tide allow a measly 12.5 points and 291.4 yards per game.
Senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard said he’s excited to play a more conventional offense after Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton gashed LSU for 217 rushing yards, primarily in the spread formation, before the bye week.
“Whenever you’re going against the spread, you’ve got guys motioning everywhere,” Sheppard said. “I’m just glad to get back to downhill football.”
LSU coach Les Miles said his defense is better fit to play Alabama’s offense and should redeem itself after surrendering 440 rushing yards in a 24-17 loss to Auburn.
Miles has only lost consecutive games one time in his career at LSU.
“I think those teams that lose games back-to-back routinely don’t necessarily have the pain in the pit of their stomach that this team will have,” Miles said. “I think we’ll play with edge.”
Rather than an elusive quarterback, the Tigers face two star running backs Saturday. Alabama junior running back Mark Ingram’s 90.7 yards per game are third-best in the SEC, while Alabama sophomore running back Trent Richardson is eighth in the SEC with 75.8 yards per game.
“We can’t have any missed tackles, especially this week,” Sheppard said. “It’s no secret. They are the best tandem in college football, probably ever.”
The Tigers boast a strong back of their own. Junior running back Stevan Ridley’s 90.4 rushing yards per game average is fourth-best in the SEC, right behind Ingram.
Ridley, whose third career touchdown came against the Crimson Tide last season, said he isn’t concerned Richardson and Ingram will get more attention than him prior to the matchup.
“You hear those two names, Richardson and Ingram, a lot, and I’m not taking anything away from them because they are some great backs,” Ridley said. “But I like any challenge.”
Miles said they also can’t forget about Alabama senior quarterback Greg McElroy, who is fifth in the SEC in passing with 222.6 yards per game.
“He’s a very good passer and makes very good decisions,” he said. “I think underrated is certainly how I would place him.”
South Carolina provided Alabama’s only loss this season, 35-21.
In that game, Gamecocks freshman running back Marcus Lattimore ran for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Alshon Jeffery also caught seven passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Toliver said he expects the Tigers will execute a similar game plan against the Crimson Tide, focusing on the perimeter passing game. He said he was upset with how he played against Auburn’s zone coverage and expects to bounce back this weekend against Alabama’s man coverage.
“I was very disappointed in myself,” Toliver said. “I thought that was the worst game I’d ever played since I’ve been here. I don’t think it’s going to happen again.”
And then there’s Peterson and Alabama junior wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones had four catches against LSU last season, including a 73-yard touchdown while Peterson was on the sideline with cramps.
“All good receivers only have certain routes,” Peterson said. “Julio changed it up a little this year, but by watching film, I feel pretty confident with the things I know he’s going to do in certain situations.”
Peterson said last year’s disputed interception, which was ruled an incomplete pass in the fourth quarter, doesn’t bother him nearly as much as being off the field when Jones scored.
Another common storyline — former LSU coach and current Alabama coach Nick Saban’s second visit to LSU  — is now water under the bridge, according to Sheppard.
He said LSU fans’ resentment toward Saban should no longer be a factor.
“I think everybody needs to get off of that,” Sheppard said. “It’s been years now, so I think it’s time to move on.”
 
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Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]