Alabama v. LSU: Heavyweight Bout

LSU-Bama. Nick Saban v. Louisiana. Les Miles v. Himself. Aside from the national historic traditional rivalries (OSU-MICH, USC-ND, Ala-Aub etc), I am willing to argue that LSU-ALA is the best current rivalry in NCAA football, at least in the south.

Let's put the fact the game was a solid game to fans not wearing crimson or purple aside. The rivalry runs so much deeper than that.

Les Miles drops F-bombs about Alabama and Nick Saban openly laughs at the Cajun culture. Both of these incidents were way overblown, but it still does indicate the true feelings of these two fan bases. On the field it should be a battle every year. Off the field, its only beginning.

Nick Saban went into Louisiana and John Curtis HS to snag an explosive little cornerback named Robby Green a short time ago. If the verbal sparrings were the warm-up jabs, LSU's win in Tusky was a right hand to the body and Mr. Green was a left hook to Mike The Tiger's right eye.

LSU's counter punch was Chris Tolliver. The highly sought after Rayville, LA wide receiver shunned Alabama and stayed home with the Tigers.

In a year loaded with pass-catchers, Tolliver's acceleration and explosion stand out. His separation speed combined with the ability to get vertical very quickly is a dangerous weapon. He also plays very well in small spaces. He has a knack for making people miss and then exploding up field. Give Chris Tolliver a crease on a slant route and he is gone.

Alabama is not hurting by any means for wideouts however. The Tide poached a bit on Georgia Tech's class and yanked Chris Jackson away. It came as no surprise as the GT coaching turmoil obviously was the reason. Throw in Devonta Bolton, Melvin Ray, Destin Hood and Burton Scott and maybe a dash of Julio Jones (sources say they would be shocked if he goes anywhere but Alabama).

Seeing as how Alabama has a much deeper class with more high level prospects at the bottom as compared with LSU, you can expect the retaliatory blow sometime around...let's say...February 6th when Alabama has the top class in the SEC and maybe the nation.


My vote in this showdown goes to LSU based strickly on quantity. Alabama will be back to fight another day, I promise.