To get everyone ready for Alabama, we will be running a daily blog on our website. Today’s topic: the coaches.
By Jeff Rhodes, Sports Showtime producer
When LSU hired Les Miles to replace Nick Saban in 2005, Miles was in Saban’s shadow.
It was Saban who returned LSU to glory, winning two SEC titles and a national championship in 2003. LSU was handing over the keys to the program to Miles.
When Saban returned to the SEC to coach Alabama in 2007, it destroyed any possibility of Miles ever coming out of Saban’s shadow.
Ever since 2007, the LSU-Alabama matchup, or Saban Bowl as fans and media members alike have dubbed it, has been the game LSU fans look forward to.
It’s not because Alabama has had outstanding players like Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Trent Richardson. It’s because of the man patrolling the sideline for Alabama.
Miles and Saban will forever be linked as SEC foes. Miles as the man who succeeded Saban. Saban as the man who returned one program to glory, and then brought a rival program back to glory.
The coaches have faced each other four times since Saban returned, with each coach winning twice. If Saturday’s matchup plays out like their other meetings, we’re in for an exciting game.
In 2007, it was Miles leading his third ranked Tigers to a frantic comeback win in Tuscaloosa, 41-37.
The next year, in Saban’s return to Baton Rouge, the top ranked Crimson Tide overcame a blocked field goal at the end of regulation to win in overtime, 27-21.
In 2009, LSU was unable to overcome injuries to starting running back Charles Scott and quarterback Jordan Jefferson, falling 24-15 to the third ranked Crimson Tide. Tiger fans also remember this game for a play in the fourth quarter when Patrick Peterson appeared to intercept a pass, but the pass was ruled incomplete.
Last year, with both teams coming off a bye, like this season, LSU prevailed, 24-21. Miles went back to his Mad Hatter ways, calling for a double reverse on fourth and one to set up what proved to be the game winning touchdown.
The two coaches, forever linked by fans and the media, have given us four great and entertaining games since they started going head to head.
Here’s hoping Saturday they give us another one.
Contact Jeff at [email protected]
