by ITK
It’s LSU week, and in the SEC, you know what that means: The Game of the Century, version 2013…right?
No?
The SEC West Championship game, right?
No?
Truth is, this year’s tussle in Tuscaloosa may not even be the game of the week. When the LSU Tigers come to town they’ll do so dragging their two losses into the contest. At 7-2 (3-2 in conference play), LSU currently sits at 3rd in the SEC West.
Still, as always a war is expected on the Bryant-Denny turf this Saturday night when the Tide and Tigers kick-off under the lights at 7:00pm (televised in primetime by CBS).
But losses to Georgia and Ole Miss (inexplicably) have tainted this showdown from being must see TV to “Oh look, Bama is going for 3 in a row over LSU” TV.
Thanks LSU. Bama did its part, but you flubbed around and lost to a milquetoast in Mark Richt and a high school drop out in Hugh Freeze.
So now Bama is the SEC’s only real hope in extending the league’s National Championship streak to eight in a row…a streak half of which the Crimson Tide has supported on its own.
Bama has given up just three touchdowns all year to teams not named Texas A&M. Arkansas hasn’t scored a point in two years on Bama. Ole Miss couldn’t buy one. Tennessee managed a score on the Tide’s 5th team defense. But Nick Saban and company haven’t stared down a serious threat since overcoming a 14-0 deficit at Texas A&M (and anybody who really saw that game knows the final score included a crap, cosmetic score at the end for TAMU).
Right now Bama sits as a 10.5 point favorite in the game…10.5 points. That’s not to say that’ll be the final score, because Bama will score more than 10-11 points in the contest. The same can’t be said for the Tigers.
But Alabama brings the best out in programs and players, and Saturday night will be no different. Expect simple Zach Mettenberger to play out of his mind. Or should I say hope, if you’re an LSU fan. That and a cavalry of Bama turnovers is your only path to victory.
So thanks LSU for screwing up this year’s game. With a clear path to Bama’s third consecutive National Championship Game berth in plain sight, we would’ve appreciated a more decorated game. But a win’s a win over LSU, and that’s what can be expected Saturday night.
Just like last year…
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That play from TJ Yeldon last year is always good to re-watch.
That game was incredible. Alabama was amazing last year.
And for what it’s worth, they look even better this year.
Say what you want about the Tide’s schedule strength this year compared to last year when both teams were beaming on their way to a national title, but Alabama is simply incredible if not the very best team in the nation this year.
I always prepare for a loss against LSU, though. There’s a reason Alabama and LSU both take bye-weeks before they meet. LSU hates Alabama. LSU hates Nick Saban. LSU wants what we have.
So I prepare for a loss, but I fear injury. I’m sincerely concerned for AJ McCarron. I don’t trust LSU to keep it clean after being on a losing streak for the first time in the last 2 times the Crimson Tide have played (and beaten) LSU.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but since Saban became the coach at Alabama has there been a win/loss streak on either side greater than two? I don’t think there has.
LSU isn’t in the hunt for the national title or even the SEC West this year, but they’re gigantic, mean, well-conditioned, and they can’t stand Alabama. They’re hateful, and Alabama is rated #1 by a landslide right now. No matter what the score ends up being Saturday night, the game won’t be boring.
See you in Tuscaloosa. Roll Tide.
True, all of that. I fear injuries from this game more than a loss. With two losses, LSU’s season can only be considered a success if they can get a win over Alabama.
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