This weekend’s matchup between LSU and Alabama has been called the game of the year. But is it more than that?
The matchup was dominated by LSU from 2003 to 2007, when LSU won every year.
With two championships in that span and no losses to Alabama, it looked like the rivalry may be forever changed in favor of the Tigers.
Lately, it seems the tide has turned.
Former LSU coach Nick Saban took over at Alabama in 2007, and the storm began brewing.
Alabama has now won two of its last three games against the Tigers, including one in Death Valley.
In that time, Alabama also won a national championship and had a Heisman Trophy winner in running back Mark Ingram.
LSU did its part last season by pulling out a thrilling win against the Tide, but there’s still a bitter taste in the mouth of Tigers fans left from the tight 2009 game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
LSU players said they aren’t fazed by playing in big games since they face Southeastern Conference heavyweights week-in and week-out. But this game still carries special weight.
“All of the games in the conference are pretty much rivalry games,” said senior linebacker Ryan Baker. “But this game stands apart because of some of the accolades and achievements these teams have accomplished.”
Most conferences have showdowns every year between two solid teams. Oklahoma and Texas play each year in the Big 12, Ohio State and Michigan always provide excitement, but they don’t usually produce the feelings this game has recently elicited.
While LSU coach Les Miles had an eventful Monday press conference in which he seemed relaxed and poked fun at reporters, sophomore defensive tackle Michael Brockers said Miles was all business in practice.
“[Miles was] very focused,” Brockers said. “Everything has to be perfect in this game and that’s the way he approaches this game.”
Baker said this week has been different than most, as he woke up in the middle of the night Monday with about 12 alerts on his phone from people that had tweeted at him about the game.
Brockers said both teams are very similar. Both teams have top-five defenses nationally with outstanding run-stoppers and offensively, they focus on running the ball.
“We match up perfectly,” Brockers said. “I don’t know, it just seems like we’re looking in a mirror right now.”
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Contact Albert Burford at [email protected].