In just a short period of time, the college football rivalry between the Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers has grown by leaps and bounds. The biggest reason for that they keep meeting in big games with huge stakes on the line. Well, that and the fact that Nick Saban has won national championships with both programs. Nevertheless, let’s look back at some of the most monumental games in the Alabama-LSU rivalry.
Alabama 27, LSU 21 (2008)
This is the game that helped turn Alabama-LSU into a bitter rivalry. It was Nick Saban’s first trip to Baton Rouge since taking over at Alabama. It also helped to jumpstart the Crimson Tide’s rise to the top. Plus, keep in mind that LSU was the reigning national champion at the time and difficult to beat at home.
With one second left in regulation, the Tigers blocked a field goal to force overtime. However, despite LSU carrying that momentum into overtime, LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee threw an interception in the first overtime possession. Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson ran into the end zone a few plays later to give the Crimson Tide the win.
Alabama 21, LSU 17 (2012)
The hype around this game was huge. This was a matchup of top-5 teams and a rematch of the National Championship Game from the previous year. The Tigers managed to erase a 14-3 halftime deficit and were 94 seconds away from a win, leading 17-14. However, A.J. McCarron solidified his Alabama legacy by orchestrating a five-play, 72-yard touchdown drive to put Alabama ahead 21-17.
McCarron was in tears on the sideline after the touchdown because of how much that moment meant to him. Despite losing to Texas A&M the next week, Alabama would ultimately win a second straight national title that year.
LSU 9, Alabama 6 (2011)
This is one of a few games to be dubbed the “Game of the Century.” At the time, the Tigers were ranked no. 1 and the Tide ranked no. 2. The game turned into arguably the greatest defensive slugfest in college football history.
Both defenses were absolutely dominant, giving up just two field goals apiece in regulation. In the overtime, the Alabama offense went backward, missing a 52-yard field goal. That allowed the Tigers to play it safe, ultimately getting a 25-yard field goal to win the game 9-6.
LSU 46, Alabama 41 (2019)
Both teams entered this game undefeated with Alabama ranked no. 3 and LSU no. 2. Unlike past meetings that were defined by defense, both offenses had their way in this game. Heisman winner Joe Burrow led the Tigers to a 33-13 lead over the Crimson Tide. Alabama slowly chipped away in the second half, but the Tide defense couldn’t get enough stops against the high-powered LSU offense.
In the end, the teams combined for 1,100 yards of offense with the Tigers scoring more points in regulation than any other team visiting Bryant-Denny Stadium. More importantly, the win helped give LSU the SEC West title, putting them on track to eventually win the national championship.
Alabama 21, LSU 0 (2012 BCS National Championship Game)
It’s rare that teams from the same conference meet in the National Championship Game, but both teams were deserving in 2011 after Alabama’s only blemish was a 9-6 overtime loss to LSU. Much like the first meeting, the two defenses dominated their offensive counterparts.
However, Alabama managed to get close enough to the goal line to kick five field goals before finally scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the LSU offense managed just five first-downs and crossed midfield just once the entire game. It was not a pretty game to watch, but it was undoubtedly the most important game in the Alabama-LSU rivalry.
