The Daily Reveille - November 2, 2012

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Friday, November 2, 2012 • Volume 117, Issue 50

LSU vs. Alabama 2012

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Sports Briefs

LSU, Alabama swimming to kick-off weekend in the LSU Natatorium

Nation’s No. 14 recruit commits to LSU, headlines recruiting class

LSU women’s basketball defeats Xavier University with only 7 players

A day before the fiercest rivalry in the Southeastern Conference plays out on the gridiron, LSU and Alabama will duke it out in the pool, at 2 p.m. Friday in the LSU Natatorium.

LSU swimming coach Dave Geyer summed up Friday’s meet in just a few words.

“It’s LSU and Alabama,” Geyer said. “Plain and simple.”

Geyer said LSU and Alabama have come together to produce some of the most exciting conference dual meets in his seven years at LSU. “It really brings out the best in both programs every time we come together,” Geyer said. “It doesn’t matter what time of the year, what part of the season, who’s sick, who feels great, who’s on top of the water or who’s drowning.”

LSU diving coach Doug Shaffer said while the LSU, Alabama matchup is exciting in every sport, this year’s dual meet figures to be especially competitive.

“We have two very well matched up teams, and if there’s an event LSU fans want to see in swimming and diving, this would be one to come to,” Shaffer said. “This is our home pool. This group has really stepped up to the plate every single time we’ve challenged them.”

Jarrell Martin, the No.14 basketball recruit in the nation according to ESPN.com, committed to LSU on Thursday, sealing LSU’s first top-10 recruiting class since 2003 for first-year head coach Johnny Jones.

Martin projects to be a small forward at the college level, where he can use his athleticism to push the pace on the break.

“The style that coach Jones plays, that up-tempo pace, I feel it suits my style of play.” Martin said.

By pulling in the No. 6 recruiting class in the nation according to ESPN.com, Jones has LSU poised for a successful season of Southeastern Conference play. Martin looked at that recruiting class while choosing which school to attend.

“The recruiting class that coach [Jones] has brought into LSU this year definitely had a big impact on my decision,” Martin said. “Playing with these guys will help me further my development.”

Martin solidifies a strong recruiting class that should have the LSU fan base excited for the upcoming season.

“I want to help pack the stands like they were when Seimone Augustus and Big Baby were here,”

LSU defeated Xavier University of New Orleans in its first exhibition game in the PMAC Thursday with only seven of the Lady Tigers’ ten players taking the court.

Each of the seven players who played Thursday night contributed, with junior forward Theresa Plaisance and junior guard Jeanne Kenney, who both earned double-doubles, leading the pack.

“There’s a lot of highlights for tonight’s game…” said LSU coach Nikki Caldwell. “We had five of our players in double digits, so you like seeing the balanced attack.”

The LSU defense swarmed Xavier and tallied 17 steals while the two-three set up forced Xavier to take outside shots that led to a 24 percent shooting average – going 14-58 on the night.

Missing in action were the three freshmen – guard Kuaneshia Baker, guard Danielle Ballard and center Derreyal Youngblood, who are serving a one-game suspension for violating a team rule.

Caldwell told her players before the game that if they needed a break, she’d take as many

Friday, November 2, 2012

timeouts as she could.

“Considering having only seven able to play tonight, I thought the seven worked extremely hard and fought through the fatigue,” Caldwell said. “It was definitely a testimony to their mental toughness.”

With the guards back on Monday, Caldwell said Kenney will be able to move off the ball and be open for easy looks at the basket. Kenney earned 11 assists playing at the point guard position against Xavier.

Heading into the exhibition game on Tuesday against North Alabama, the Lady Tigers will focus on the rotation of their 10 players, as well as a more solid defense to prepare for the regular season.

“I thought defensively we broke down in contesting the open looks that Xavier got,” Caldwell said.

“They put up a lot of threes, and in our conference and nonconference schedule, we have a lot of teams that put up a lot of threes.”

The Lady Tigers take on North Alabama at 7 p.m. Tuesday night in the PMAC for their last exhibition game before the regular season starts.

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior guard Jeanne Kenney (5) jumps past Xavier defender Thursday during the Tigers’ 75-34 victory against the Gold Nuggets in the PMAC.

Weather

PHOTO OF THE DAY

TODAY Partly Cloudy

85 59 SATURDAY

84 60 MONDAY RICHARD REDMANN / The Daily Reveille

Sigma Nu fraternity displays a “BEAT BAMA” sign Thursday. Submit your photo of the day to photo@lsureveille.com.

PAGE 1 PHOTO CREDIT LSU sophomore safety Eric Reid (1) fights for an interception Nov. 5, 2011, during the Tigers’ 9-6 overtime victory against the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala. BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

In the Nov. 1 article “Evolution of a Football Player,” the Daily Reveille incorrectly reported that LSU football players were, on average, nine inches taller in 2002 than they were in 1960. The correct number is eight tenths of an inch. We regret the error.

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FOOTBALL: Miles and Saban beyond the sidelines, p. 10-11

SPORTS TAKES OVER

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Friday, November 2, 2012 · page 3

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No. 5 LSU

VS.

No. 1 Alabama

Game Week Notebook

THE PLAY

Interception thrusts Eric Reid into spotlight

LSU SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 23

LSU 41, UNT 14 LSU 41, Wash. 3 LSU 63, Idaho 14 LSU 12, Auburn 10 LSU 38, Towson 22 LSU 6, Florida 14 LSU 23, S.C. 21 LSU 24, A&M 19 Alabama Mississippi St. Ole Miss @ Arkansas

TIGERS STATISTICS

PASSING

· Zach Mettenberger: 1419 yards, 7 TD, 4 INT

RUSHING · Kenny Hilliard: 420 yards, 71 carries, 6 TD · Michael Ford: 357 yards, 60 carries, 3 TD · Jeremy Hill: 322 yards, 48 carries, 5 TD

RECEIVING · Jarvis Landry: 216 yards, 23 catches, 1 TD · Odell Beckham Jr: 420 yards, 26 catches, 2 TD

TIDE STATISTICS

PASSING

· AJ McCarron: 1684 yards, 18 TD, 0 INT

RUSHING · T.J. Yeldon: 649 yards, 93 carries, 7 TD · Eddie Lacy: 596 yards, 109 carries, 7 TD

RECEIVING · Amari Cooper: 472 yards, 32 catches, 5 TD · Kenny Bell: 309 yards, 12 catches, 3 TD

TEAM STATISTICS

TOTAL AND SCORING OFFENSE LSU: 248 points, 31 points per game Alabama: 325 points, 40.6 points per game

Rushing offense

LSU: 1,667 yards, 339 yards per game, 20 TD Alabama: 1715 yards, 214.4 yards per game, 20 TD

Passing offense

LSU: 1,419 yards, 177.4 yards per game, 7 TD, 4 INT Alabama: 1,776 yards, 222 yards per game, 19 TD, 0 INT

TOTAL AND SCORING DEFENSE LSU: 117 points, 14.6 points per game Alabama: 65 points, 8.1 points per game

Rushing defense LSU: 759 yards, 94.9 YPG, 8 TD Alabama: 458 yards, 57.2 YPG, 4 TD

Passing defense LSU: 1,188 yards, 148.5 yards per game, 7 TD, 13 INT Alabama: 1,167 yards, 145.9 yards per game, 3 TD, 14 INT

DAVE MARTIN / The Associated Press

LSU safety Eric Reid celebrates Nov. 5, 2011, after intercepting the ball during the Tigers’ victory against the Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Spencer Hutchinson Sports Contributor

For LSU junior safety Eric Reid, the humble, soft-spoken defender best known for his hard-hitting playmaking on the field, team always comes before self.

“My goals aren’t to make big plays,” Reid said. “My goals are to help my team out.”

But Reid is perhaps best remembered for the moment in last year’s regular-season matchup with Alabama, where his big solo play not only helped his team, but also propelled the Tigers to victory.

Tied 6-6 with Alabama in the fourth quarter with the Tide driving inside the red zone, Reid stole the ball in midair from Alabama junior tight end Michael Williams.

Reid’s interception thwarted the best chance at a touchdown for either team, and turned the momentum in the Tigers’ favor, pushing them to an eventual 9-6 overtime victory.

The pick became the defining moment of last season’s “Game of the Century” and the defining moment of Reid’s career to date.

Since the interception, Reid’s popularity has skyrocketed.

Although Reid said he’s a football player, not a celebrity, walking in public without being spotted has been a lot harder since that night in REID, see page 19

Top five wins against ’Bama since 2000 MIC’D UP MICAH BEDARD Sports Columnist Whether you love or hate them, you can’t dismiss the contributions Nick Saban and Les Miles have made to the LSU football program. This especially rings true when you delve into the Tigers’ dealings with Alabama.

Since 2000, when Saban took the reigns of the LSU football program, the Tigers have a 9-4 record against the rival Crimson Tide.

Although Saban has shifted to the dark side, he laid the foundations for the Southeastern Conference juggernaut Miles has managed to continually develop over the duo’s 12 seasons pacing the sidelines of Tiger Stadium. It

just so happens many of Miles and Saban’s signature games happened against the Crimson Tide.

Here are my top-five wins LSU had against Alabama when led by either Saban or Miles.

1. LSU 41 Alabama 34, Nov. 3, 2007 In one of the craziest seasons of the BCS era, LSU took down Alabama 41-34 in Bryant-Denny Stadium on its path to the 2007 National Championship.

It was almost the same story as 2011. The Tigers put a stranglehold on the SEC West with the victory and won their fifth game against a team ranked inside the top 18 of the Associated Press poll.

LSU totaled 130 penalty yards on 14 flags and cornerback TOP WINS, see page 19

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

Former LSU cornerbacks Patrick Peterson (7) and Jai Eugene (4) celebrate Nov. 11, 2010, after the Tigers beat Alabama, 24-21, in Tiger Stadium.

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The Daily Reveille

Team considers Jan. 9 an afterthought

Tigers blame lack of execution

Friday, November 2, 2012

No revenge on the LSU falls short in the red brain for the Tigers zone compared to Alabama Chandler Rome

Spencer Hutchinson

Sports Writer

Conventional wisdom says Saturday’s matchup between LSU and Alabama would have revenge on the mind of the Tigers and coach Les Miles.

But as the last seven years have shown, Miles and his players are anything but conventional.

Brushing aside the Jan. 9 shellacking in the BCS National Championship Game, Miles insisted this season’s squad isn’t out for revenge against the defending national champions.

“Honestly, I’m not motivated that way. That’s now how this thing works,” Miles said. “This is about what we do, how we play.”

Though sophomore offensive guard La’el Collins said outsiders and players still bring up last season’s defeat, he and his teammates try to downplay the enormity of Saturday’s showdown.

“Every game is big, so we prepare like that,” Collins said.

“Just coming out, preparing and focusing is the key.”

Playing only sparingly in last season’s contest, Collins didn’t deny the Tigers are seeking to rectify the wrongs from that night in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

“We left some unfinished business out there,” Collins said.

“We just want to come out and play to the best of our ability.”

Sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Johnson also denied that any sort of revenge had crossed his mind in this week’s preparation.

Only a true freshman last season, Johnson said the game is already in his rearview mirror, which is something he deemed essential to the sport itself.

“It’s behind me,” Johnson said. “It’s football — you win some and you lose some, but you have to go out there and just play.”

Junior safety Craig Loston said his attention has been focused away from the aspect of revenge, trying not to buy in to the national hype surrounding the matchup.

“We try to stay within ourselves and not get too hyped or too caught up in the moment,” Loston said. “This game could determine the future, so we don’t want it to be too much in the big moment.”

Heeding the advice from players who played integral roles in the BCS loss, Johnson said he told those underclassmen not to stray from any sense of normalcy and warned them about getting too invested in the name on the opponent’s jersey.

“We just motivate them to go out there and work hard every play they get and come out Saturday and play their hearts out,” Johnson said.

Sports Contributor

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Then-freshman LSU punter Brad Wing tearfully watches Alabama players and fans celebrate their Allstate BCS National Championship win Jan. 9.

Miles said his team recognizes the mistakes it made Jan. 9, but pointed to the difference a season makes, claiming his team still hasn’t played its best.

Never short on motivation, Miles was sure to leave one aspect out of the message to his team.

“There’s a lot of things that motivate men differently,” Miles said. “I don’t choose nor will I ever choose revenge.”

Contact Chandler Rome at crome@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @Rome_TDR

When playing Alabama, just getting into the red zone is a feat.

Getting out with a touchdown is a miracle.

In eight games, the Tide has allowed its opponents into the red zone just 15 times. That’s fewer than two red zone appearances per game for a list of opponents that includes a Michigan team averaging 28 points per game and a previously undefeated Mississippi State team averaging 33 points per game.

That could be bad news for an LSU team that has struggled to get to the red zone this season and has looked anemic at times once it got there.

LSU has a meager 79 percent success rate in the red zone in 2012, and the Tigers have come away with a touchdown just 47 percent of the time.

The Tigers have entered the red zone and left without putting any points on the board seven times this season — already surpassing the four times that happened through the entire 2011 season.

“Any time you get in the red zone and don’t get seven, it’s frustrating,” said senior center P.J. Lonergan. “Especially if you’re on a 60-plus-yard drive where it took you eight to 10 plays to get down there.”

Junior quarterback Zach

CATHERINE THRELKELD / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior kicker Drew Alleman (30) kicks a field goal Oct. 13 during the Tigers’ 23-21 win against South Carolina in Tiger Stadium.

Mettenberger said the main reason for LSU’s problems in the red zone is a lack of execution.

“It’s not like we don’t want to score,” Mettenberger said. “We’ll just get down there and screw up somewhere.”

Senior offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk said he saw an emphasis put on perfecting execution from Mettenberger that will translate to the field Saturday.

Dworaczyk said the Tigers’ offense repeated plays several times in practice until they ran them to perfection, and then many times, Mettenberger asked to run it one more time to make sure he had the play exactly right.

“Throughout Coach Saban’s career, he’s always had a solid defense,” Mettenberger said. “We’re going to try to go out there and execute to the best of our abilities, and hopefully they can make some mistakes to help us out.”

Last season, the Tigers were one of the most efficient red zone scoring offenses in the nation, scoring on 93 percent of their red zone drives.

But as good as LSU was in 2011, the Alabama offense has been even more efficient in 2012.

Alabama entered the red zone and failed to score only one time this season, and 74 percent of its red zone possessions have ended in touchdowns.

“They know how to do the right thing at the right time,” said sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Johnson. “As a football team, we’ve just got to say, ‘It’s time to man up, and don’t let them in.’”

Contact Spencer Hutchinson at shutchinson@lsureveille.com

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Friday, November 2, 2012

page 5

National sports writers offer insight into matchup

Chris Abshire Sports Writer

LSU vs. Alabama has become a behemoth unlike any other in Baton Rouge.

Fans plan their years around the game, players count down the days until the Tide rolls in and LSU coach Les Miles pretends Alabama is just another “quality opponent” while breaking a wry smile.

“There’s no hiding that this game is everything around here, to our fans,” said senior offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk. “You hear about it all year. It was a lot of love when we won two in a row [from 2010-11], but it was a long fall after the BCS loss. They’re a constant concern.”

While this game has more juice than ever locally, how does LSU vs. Alabama stack up across the national college football landscape?

“Year-in and year-out, this is probably the best game going,” said Pat Forde, Yahoo!’s national sports columnist. “With the way LSU and Alabama are maintaining dominance lately, this is a golden era for the rivalry.”

Barrett Sallee, the Bleacher Report’s lead Southeastern Conference columnist, said the game doesn’t have the “Game of the Century” status that last November’s showdown did, but it should.

“Nationally, there’s not the same buzz,” he said. “Last year

Pat Forde Yahoo! sports columnist

‘Year-in and yearout, this is probably the best game going.’

almost transcended the sport.

That’s not the case this time, but the stakes are about the same. The winner is probably a favorite in the national title chase.”

ESPN again brought its AllAccess team to both schools this week, College Gameday will again set up shop prior to the game and CBS will carry it on prime time for a national audience.

That exposure makes LSUAlabama the most visible college football game for a second straight year.

With that attention comes an inevitable backlash, especially with the offensive ineptitude displayed last season.

“There’s a little fatigue for the aesthetics of some of these games, if they’re played like LSU and Alabama did last year,” said Mark Ennis, a Big East blogger for SBNation. “People complain about bad games in other conferences, but if Saturday is a 16-13 game, it will be called a titanic classic. There’s a bit of a double

Mark Ennis SBNation blogger

‘People will watch just to see if anybody can beat Alabama.’

standard, sometimes.”

That style swings both ways, though. Sallee said the series embodies people’s perceptions of elite SEC football.

“I certainly understand why people may not have liked last year’s 9-6 contest,” he said. “Everyone understands that this game is probably the most important in routinely shaping the SEC West and, in turn, the national picture.

Regardless of style, people would be naive not to recognize how good these teams are.”

Last November’s game produced prodigious ratings on CBS, but the January drubbing was the lowest-rated BCS title game ever, leaving LSU and Alabama on a seesaw of relevance to the casual fan.

Forde said there’s a growing contingent of fans who prefer the trending up-tempo style in college football, but added that excitement doesn’t always equal success.

“Until the teams like Oregon or West Virginia that play a fun

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Former Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) runs up the center during LSU’s 21-0 loss in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 9.

brand of football beat SEC teams regularly, it’s really just, ‘Sorry,’” he said. “There’s been plenty of drama with LSU and Alabama to make up for a lack of offense.”

Ennis said the rivalry’s impact is secure, across conference and sectional lines, as long as LSU remains Alabama’s premier threat.

“With Nick Saban and his persona combined with Alabama’s legacy, that’s the draw, because there’s a real threat,” Ennis said. “It’s like when people watch Duke basketball or, back in the day, Miami football. People will

watch just to see if anybody can beat Alabama. LSU’s one of the few teams left that seems capable of it.”

Writer Chris Abshire talks about the scope of the LSU-Alabama game at 4:20 and 5:20 p.m. on 91.1 KLSU. Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @AbshireTDR

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The Daily Reveille

Friday, November 2, 2012

LSU fullback has familial ties to University of Alabama Neighbors looks forward to game Tyler Nunez Sports Contributor

Sophomore fullback Connor Neighbors has never started a game, has one career carry and has never stepped on the field against the Crimson Tide.

But the Alabama native might have more bragging rights on the line than any of his teammates.

Many may consider Neighbors’ decision to come to LSU as a surprise based on his upbringing in Huntsville, Ala., alone, but his connection to Alabama footCATHERINE THRELKELD / The Daily Reveille ball is much more personal.

LSU sophomore fullback Connor Neighbors, from Huntsville, Ala., is the center of His father, grandfather, media attention Tuesday during player interviews in the Indoor Practice Facility. brother and uncle all played foot“Connor Neighbors is just a Wesley played defensive end ball for the Crimson Tide, and between them, they have four na- for the Crimson Tide for two sea- wonderful guy,” said LSU coach sons before an injury forced him Les Miles. “…Anything you ask tional championships.

“I don’t want to say I’m to quit and later become a grad him to do, he does it and does it well. …We look forward to seethe black sheep of my family,” assistant.

“I’d have to say it’s my fa- ing him playing in this game.”

Neighbors said. “I just chose a Connor is eager for the game vorite week,” Connor said. “Me different path.”

Neighbors said after fail- and my brother have always had to start this weekend and said a little rivalry be- most of his family will be in ating to garner any tween each other; tendance. scholarship of‘I’m probably the only What colors his family will I don’t want to say fers out of high bragging rights, be wearing, however, is a comschool, he became LSU/Alabama but sometimes it pletely different question. more open to the fan alive.’

“Oh, I don’t know,” Connor comes down to idea of playing said with a laugh. “I think my dad that.” for LSU. Wes Neighbors Connor has wears black.”

It was LSU father of Connor Neighbors even more readefensive coordison to be excited nator John Chavis who eventually convinced him to this weekend, as he’s seen significantly more playing time than walk on for the Tigers.

“He said that he could help he did a year ago, and will likely me reach my goals,” Neighbors get to take the field in this stoContact Tyler Nunez at said. “I really took that to heart, ried rivalry for the first time in tnunez@lsureveille.com so I came down here for camp his career. going into my senior year. I just decided to be different.”

Despite the rivalry, Neighbors said his family was fully supportive of his decision, save a few of the younger members.

“When I decided to come down here, my cousins were about 5 or 6 [years old], so they were a little confused at the time.”

It’s clear the Neighbors family has a great deal of respect for LSU. Wes Neighbors, Connor’s father, said he was not surprised when his son chose to become a Tiger, and even bought his first LSU shirt to wear while he helped his son move in.

“If I hadn’t gone to Alabama, I would have gone to LSU, and if Wesley, my other son, hadn’t gone to Alabama, he would have gone to LSU,” Wes said. “We’ve always liked the campus and the atmosphere. I’m probably the only LSU/Alabama fan alive.”

Given his upbringing, it’s safe to say Connor has a fairly unique perspective on the rivalry between LSU and Alabama.

He reminisced about Nick Saban going to his house during his sophomore year in high school on a recruiting trip for his brother Wesley.

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The Daily Reveille

Who has the edge?

QUARTERBACK

There’s not much of a debate at this point in the season over who has the better signal caller. LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger has only thrown seven touchdowns against four interceptions, while Crimson Tide gunslinger A.J. McCarron has already thrown for more touchdowns than all of last season, 18, and hasn’t thrown an interception.

RUNNING BACKS Before the season, the running back position would have been a clear advantage for LSU. Both teams have lost key rushers this season due to injury, but the LSU running back corps misses Alfred Blue. It doesn’t hurt the Tide’s cause that T.J. Yeldon is one of the best running backs in the country as a true freshman.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS Staying with another true freshman, Amari Cooper has been a standout for Alabama at wide receiver. He’s the Tide’s clear No. 1 target and has the edge over Odell Beckham, Jr. Kenny Bell, a Rayville, La. native, has also been a weapon on the outside for Alabama.

OFFENSIVE LINE This is tough because both offensive lines prior to the season were among the nation’s elite. But LSU’s inability to stay healthy has two freshmen starting on the right side. Alabama center Barrett Jones is one of the best and most versatile offensive linemen in the nation and tackles D.J. Fluker and Cyrus Kouandjio are as solid as they come.

DEFENSIVE LINE This one isn’t even close. Defensive ends Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo’s combination of power and speed on the outside is second to none.

Not to mention tackles Bennie Logan and Anthony “Freak” Johnson are extremely effective clogging up holes in the middle.

✓

LINEBACKERS

DEFENSIVE BACKS

SPECIAL TEAMS LSU was able to sneak out of Tuscaloosa, Ala., with a win last season because of special teams. Alabama kicker Jeremy Shelley has been rock-solid so far this season, but let’s see if he falters like he did in a big game last time. If punter Brad Wing is on his game, he can be a difference maker.

✓

✓

I’m sure Tiger fans remember Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley well from last season’s national championship game. He’s back in 2012 with a vengeance, leading the Crimson Tide in tackles with 65. This isn’t a shot at Kevin Minter, but with Mosley, Nico Johnson and Trey DePriest, Alabama has a better collective unit.

There’s a reason they call LSU “DBU.” Despite the departures of Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu, the Tigers still hold the edge in the secondary.

Tharold Simon is one of the best shutdown corners in the country and Eric Reid has an unparalleled football IQ.

✓ ✓

COACHING Not taking anything away from Les Miles, but when it comes down to X’s and O’s, no one is on par with Saban. His ability to completely shut down LSU’s game plan Jan. 9 showed how much of a coaching genius Saban is. When it comes to extravagant plays and chewing grass, Miles is my guy. If I had to choose one coach to win a game, it would be Saban.

6- 3 OVERALL EDGE

It’s not a surprise Alabama holds the overall edge over LSU in this one. But LSU-Alabama is always a game in which records don’t matter. It’s going to be a dog fight.

Family feuds common in LSU-’Bama rivalry Game spurs bets, unique dynamics

· according to Daily Reveille sports columnist MICAH BEDARD

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

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it’s just blown up since.”

This year, there’s talk of a tattoo. An Alabama win could mean a Scarlet A on Chris’ back, while a Tiger triumph could lead to a fleurde-lis with a Tiger eye in the center Chris Abshire on Tim’s back.

Sports Writer Chris said those plans are still For some local observers, tentative, saying, “Our significant LSU’s clash against Alabama on others might kill us.”

But a Facebook name change Saturday will be more than the Tiis a definite wager on this year’s gers’ biggest game of the season. game.

It will be a family feud.

Tim has to change his middle Across the Southeast, school allegiances often spin odd twists on name on Facebook to “Tiger Bait” if LSU wins, and Chris’ would befamilial relationships.

With LSU and Alabama, Crim- come “Deacon Blues” — a referson blood may or may not be thick- ence to a Steely Dan song about a er than water come kickoff Satur- team that can’t beat Alabama — if the Tide roll. day night.

Still, one LSU student may English junior and New Orleans native Katie Martin knows have the most strings of all tugging the pitfalls that come with differing at him come Saturday.

Austin McDonald, a gradufamily fandoms.

“My sister is a senior at Ala- ate student and coach of the LSU bama, and I try not to use this word, Speech and Debate team, has two but she’s an obnoxious fan about brothers at Alabama, but his alleit,” Martin said. “Face-to-face, giance hardly ends there.

McDonald grew up a ’Bama we’re pretty nice. There’s always gloating when one side wins, of fan, received an undergraduate degree from the university and comcourse.”

Martin said Alabama’s cur- peted on the Tide’s speech and derent top-dog status has made trash bate team.

“If you grow up in Alabama, talk a perilous proposition in recent you’re sorted into months.

“I actively ‘I just don’t feel like it’s one of two houses, avoid arguments an ‘us versus them’ thing almost like Harry Potter,” McDonald with her because of anymore. I love my said. “Mine was a situations like this where they’re No. family, I love Alabama total Alabama family. My two broth1,” she said. “She and I love LSU.’ ers are there, on the can throw that in speech team, just my face. And they Austin McDonald like I was. When beat us so bad last LSU graduate student and I applied [to LSU] time.”

Alabama alumnus for grad school, my Local teacher Panay Burland sees the opposite family almost couldn’t comprehend side of the coin. A Mobile, Ala., it.”

Saturday night, he will be in native and Alabama graduate, she now lives squarely in Tiger coun- Shreveport with his LSU debate try, married to an LSU alumnus and squad, as they will be competing against Alabama and his younger longtime Tiger fan.

Burland said her husband, Jim- brothers, among others, while the my, won’t even watch an Alabama Tide and Tigers battle in Tiger Stadium. game in the same place with her.

McDonald, who has also “We cheer for each other until we play each other, but I do taught several LSU football players get pretty emotional,” she said. in communications classes, said he “Thankfully, we’re both good almost doesn’t know how to feel as sports about it. He’s not a Saban the game approaches.

“The division within myself hater or anything.”

The dividing line is nothing gets really, really interesting,” he new for Burland. Her father went said, from his office adorned in purto Auburn and her brother attended ple and gold sans a lone Crimson Georgia, so there was no family couch. “The words, ‘Geaux Tigers’ used to feel very foreign and icky, backlash with LSU in the mix.

“It feels like we’re trying to yet I’ve been indoctrinated into bring all of the good football from the culture here. I love the football the South into the family,” Burland games and the tailgating. I coach an said. “It was natural to bring LSU LSU team. That’s a strong pull.”

McDonald said his brothers into the fold. The stakes never get too high because we’re all family.” constantly check in to make sure That may be the case for Bur- he isn’t “slipping,” but he acknowlland, but leave it to a pair of identi- edged that home is still where his cal twins to have a healthy division loyalties lie.

“If push came to shove, I’d when it comes to the rivalry.

Recent LSU student and Baton root for Alabama, because that’s Rouge resident Chris Keele and his my roots,” he said. “I just don’t brother, Tim, an Alabama senior, feel like it’s an ‘us vs. them’ thing have placed a wager on the game anymore. I love my family, I love Alabama and I love LSU.” for each of the past four years.

“We weren’t even really into football when we first got to colContact Chris Abshire at lege, and this game has really made cabshire@lsureveille.com; us into fans,” Tim said. “We made a Twitter: @AbshireTDR sushi dinner bet on the first one, and

The Daily Reveille

page 8

Friday, November 2, 2012

Saturday’s clash is a personal one for some Tigers LSU, ’Bama linked in multiple ways Alex Cassara Sports Writer

Saturday’s heavyweight bout featuring defending champions No. 1 Alabama and contender No. 5 LSU is friendlier than one might think.

That’s not to say the rivalry isn’t fierce. The all-consuming hate started with the defection of Nick Saban, whose veneration

by Baton Rouge inhabitants instantly evaporated when he took the post in Tuscaloosa, Ala., after an NFL hiatus.

With Les Miles taking over Saban’s former project, the teams’ rivalry gained steam along with their reputations.

The two teams inevitably attract the best high school athletes in a region oozing talent by virtue of those statures in the Southeastern Conference, across the country and with pro scouts.

The competition is so strong that it threatens to tear families apart, evidenced by the supremely awkward scene of top local 2012 safety prospect Landon Collins’ mother immediately bemoaning his selection of Alabama on live national television.

Junior defensive tackle Bennie Logan said Alabama tried to persuade him to watch a game in Bryant-Denny Stadium rather than attend his scheduled visit to Tiger Stadium during his recruiting process.

courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alabama head coach Nick Saban and LSU head coach Les Miles greet each other Jan. 9 after the BCS National Championship game in New Orleans.

Most coveted athletes get a taste of both schools, but when they make their final selections, their allegiance lies in one place and one place only. If they don’t get to sample both, it’s even more heated.

“If LSU doesn’t want you, you go to Alabama and you hate LSU,” said junior defensive end Sam Montgomery. “Nick Saban doesn’t want you, you go to LSU and you hate Alabama.”

But just because the players hold disdain for their rival doesn’t mean they dislike the parts that make the sum. In fact, with these two programs so deeply intertwined, many Tigers will have friends and former teammates across the line of scrimmage, something junior safety Eric Reid said he’s looking forward to.

ALABAMA COUNTDOWN: ONE DAY

Collins was a rising junior at Dutchtown when Reid left to play fewer than 20 miles away in Tiger Stadium. Announcing in January he’d move two states over after a dramatized recruiting process, he decided to follow current starting Tide running back Eddie Lacy, who departed the Geismar prep school a year before Reid.

Reid said he enjoys talking trash with Lacy on the collegiate field, which is something he doesn’t do otherwise.

Considering Lacy’s average of 5.5 yards per carry — thirdbest in the SEC for runners with more than 100 carries — and Reid’s penchant for stepping up from the secondary to stop ball carriers, it’s likely the two will have to back up any boasting.

Reid must be looking forward

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to putting a hat on his former guard Josh Williford to finally teammate then. bounce back from his concus“Oh yeah, it’ll be nice to sion, LSU’s general policy of finally see him on the field again. disallowing injured players to It’s rare that you get to see a guy talk to the media makes his status that you went to high school with uncertain. on the field, so I’m sure we’re It would also be interesting to both going to enjoy it.” watch the game with sophomore Working out together this fullback Connor Neighbors’ famsummer at their ily to see which shared alma ma- ‘If LSU doesn’t want team they root ter, Reid was for; he’s the only forced to watch you, you go to Alabama Tiger in a family Lacy flaunt the and you hate LSU. Nick with three former BCS ring he Alabama players.

Saban doesn’t want wanted so badly.

Montgom“He didn’t you, you go to LSU and ery’s observation rub it in like I of these teams’ you hate Alabama.’ seething hatred thought he would, but he knew what was one of an outhe was doing,” sider, as he hails Sam Montgomery Reid said. from South CaroLSU junior defensive end Unlike the lina, but he was in two Dutchtown adversaries, all of these players’ shoes when there’s no situation when senior the Gamecocks came to town kicker Drew Alleman would three weeks ago. be on the field with his friendRespect is key when playing turned-foe, junior Alabama punt- your buddies, Montgomery said, er Cody Mandell. and they should play accordingly.

Booting the ball together “If I’m playing someone that at Acadiana in Lafayette, La., I actually know,” Montgomery the specialists exchanged pleas- said. “I’m going to go out all out antries during LSU’s bye week a whole lot more than I would a — Mandell expressed his eager random person.” anticipation of their reunion and Alleman replied with well-wishes against Mississippi State.

Contact Alex Cassara at Although the prospect of acassara@lsureveille.com; playing against his home state’s Twitter: @cassaraTDR school ought to motivate junior

The Daily Reveille

Friday, November 2, 2012

page 9

Rivalry could formulate future of LSU football Lawrence Barreca Sports Contributor

When No. 1 Alabama (8-0) visits Baton Rouge to take on No. 5 LSU (7-1), there will be a plethora of reasons for both squads to put on a show.

Both teams are currently in striking distance of making a BCS National Championship game appearance, and a win would propel one of the two squads further into the title game discussion.

The immense bragging rights and personal pride riding on this contest are two more reasons to come away victorious.

There is an implication that flies under the radar, though.

To become a commanding team in the Southeastern Conference, a program must be imposing in the recruiting department. Players like defensive tackles Bennie Logan and Anthony Johnson, defensive end Barkevious Mingo and safety Craig Loston don’t grow on trees.

“To get a win in this game, it’s not only a big win for us,” Loston said. “It’s a big win

for the future of LSU.” A victory for the Tigers this weekend could directly impact the program’s recruiting for next season.

“This game always has a big impact on recruiting,” Logan said. “A recruit may not want to go to a school where they keep losing the big game.

They also want to see the atmosphere in these big-time games.”

Logan said before his visit to LSU, the Tiger-Tide rivalry had little effect on him.

The same couldn’t be said once he experienced the electric atmosphere of Tiger Stadium.

“Once I came here and I saw the game, that’s when I made my decision and said, ‘Yeah, this is home for me, and this is where I want to play,’” Logan said. “The physical way [that LSU plays] and the way they get to the ball — that’s when I knew that I wanted to play [in Baton Rouge].”

Loston, though unaffected by the matchup during his personal recruiting process, shared Logan’s beliefs about the game’s implications on recruits’ decisions.

“Any time you’ve got a big

game here and you have big recruits that you plan on getting, you want to invite them down to the game,” Loston said.

Mingo echoed the view about the rivalry’s impact on recruiting. He emphasized the importance of being a winning program in the eyes of high school athletes, as some recruits may make their decisions based how successful a certain program is on the field.

“I’m pretty sure there’s some high school kids out there who want to go to a winning team, and they let a game like this decide where they’re going to spend the next four or five years,” Mingo said.

Though Johnson wasn’t directly affected by the rivalry itself, he noticed a key difference in how the two universities pursued him in high school. “[Alabama coach] Nick Saban has more of a hard-on approach, but [LSU coach] Les Miles wants to get to know your family first,” Johnson said. “Both of them are great coaches, but they have different personalities. With Les, it’s more of a family atmosphere. That’s what

AUSTIN BENNETT / The Daily Reveille

Sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (90) chases the ball carrier Sept. 29 during the Tigers’ 38-22 win against Towson in Death Valley.

brought my family and I closer to [LSU].”

Johnson knows the importance of this Saturday’s contest on the future of the program.

“It’s the biggest game of the year,” Johnson said. “You get to see

some of the best guys in the nation play each other. It’s definitely a big deal in the recruiting process.”

Contact Lawrence Barreca at lbarreca@lsureveille.com

’Bama game priority for recruits Several plan to attend Saturday Trey Labat

Sports Contributor

Saturday’s game between No. 5 LSU and No. 1 Alabama figures to feature a packed-tothe-brim Tiger Stadium, and not everyone will be fans.

Think the Alabama game is a big deal to the everyday fan?

Imagine if it was a key factor in a decision on where to spend the next four years.

That’s the conundrum many top recruits who are torn between Alabama and LSU face Saturday.

The game provides high school prospects a direct look into what their futures could hold at the college level.

LSU and Alabama have brought in top-20 classes every year since 2008. For the 2013 class, LSU ranks as the second best in the nation, only behind the University of Southern California, while Alabama holds down the fifth spot, according to recruiting site Rivals.com.

The outcome of this game could dramatically shift the recruiting landscape for both teams.

Kendell Beckwith, Ricky Seals-Jones, Timothy Williams and the speedy Jeryl Brazil will all be present in Death Valley on Saturday — along with several other recruits — and the game could determine where these exciting prospects play college football.

Beckwith plays at East Feliciana where he is the No. 1-rated athlete in the nation, and he is projected to be a defensive end or outside linebacker at the college

level.

“I’ll definitely be at that game,” Beckwith said after a win against Richwood High. “It’s the biggest game of the year.

They both play physical football, which fits my style, so it’ll be interesting to watch.”

Seals-Jones is the top-rated wide receiver in the nation and possesses a Calvin Johnson-like skill set. Standing at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds with blazing speed, Seals-Jones is the kind of receiver who could break open a game on one play.

Seals-Jones was at LSU’s game against Texas A&M — considered one of his top destinations. LSU doesn’t currently have a receiver with his combination of size and speed, and his addition could remedy a struggling passing attack.

Williams comes from LSU’s backyard — he plays for University High School on LSU’s campus — and while Miami currently holds his strongest interest, he is being heavily recruited by both LSU and Alabama.

Williams is rated the No. 4 defensive end in the nation and is a pass rushing specialist who could ease the anticipated loss of current Tiger defensive ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery to the NFL next year.

Brazil was the first commit of the 2013 season for LSU, but has since flip-flopped between the two Southeastern Conference powerhouses. Brazil recently went on an official visit to Alabama, and has tweeted pictures of himself wearing the crimson helmet.

Brazil’s latest tweets give insight to his mindset going into Saturday. He has retweeted both

LSU fans and Alabama fans pleading for his commitment in the build up to the game.

Brazil is the No. 8 athlete in the nation and would inject some much-needed speed into LSU’s offense. Possessing a 40yard dash time of 4.32 — good for tops in the nation according to ESPN.com’s testing results — Brazil has the potential to be a spark plug on both offense and in special teams.

“The recruiting process has been going well,” Brazil said after Loranger’s win Friday against Amite High. “I’ll definitely be at the game next weekend. …I’ll be watching closely and thinking about the future.”

With the biggest game looming on the horizon, LSU’s recruiting class is held in the balance.

Recruits often use the biggest game of the year to assess the teams they are considering.

“It allows you to see how they perform on the big stage,” said sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, a former fivestar recruit. “And there isn’t a bigger stage than LSU versus Alabama on Saturday night.”

Contact Trey Labat at tlabat@lsureveille.com

11-1 ANSWERS

The Daily Reveille

page 10

Friday, November 2, 2012

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

A TAL O TW COAC

Miles showed compassionate side in friendship with dying cancer patient Sports Writer

attention of the 20-plus Alabama fans in the room.

Even facing death, his loyalty was undying.

TJ Fleming wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere other than Tiger Stadium on Saturday.

His mother April is sure of it. She raised him in Lockhart, Ala., surrounded by family and friends with Crimson wardrobes. His most anticipated matchup of the season, every year, is finally here.

If LSU pulls out the upset, he would’ve had the ultimate bragging rights.

A post on TJ’s Facebook wall by his uncle, Danny Beard, dated Nov. 5, 2010, reads, “Hey TJ it’s our favorite week of football. Our Tigers get to swap slobber with Bama. Thinking of you all this week. GEAUX TIGERS!” Hailing from Vidalia, La., April and Beard transfused purple and gold blood into TJ’s veins from an early age. Beard, a Louisiana resident, would spend those young, Vidalia summers hitting baseballs to his nephew. “What’s your favorite football team?” a less-than-10-year-old TJ would always ask. “LSU,” Beard would be sure to respond.

Their years of conditioning indoctrinated TJ. When the Tigers torched the Tide, he and his mother would give silent high-fives as to not draw the

WHOLLY MORTAL It was a nice sentiment, the signed picture of Nick Saban he received in the fax as a get-wellsoon card. Still, TJ replied, “What am I going to do with this?” This Tuscaloosan demi-god, made wholly mortal by a perishing young man.

Just as the decade turned, so did 20-year-old TJ’s health. He developed a cancer in his saliva gland for which doctors had no name. The tumor grew rapidly, swelling and deforming his face until it was nearly unrecognizable.

This handsome, universally liked powerhouse of a local athlete went from resembling a movie star to looking like a monster, said his high school football coach Arlton Hudson. The cancer was unable to spread to his resolve, however.

“He never acted like he looked like that,” April said.

Another fax came in that day, following the one of Saban, the letterhead much more favorably colored for TJ’s taste.

The letter was dated May 20, 2010. A short correspondence. “Dear TJ,” it read, “Coach Hudson called ... and made me aware of your

Alex Cassara

CAREER RECORD

LSU RECORD

110-40 82-19

situation. ... The LSU Tigers are thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers. I know you are tough so fight like a Tiger!” it closed. A “Geaux Tigers!” followed by Les Miles’ signature, then printed name. “Head Football Coach.” TJ was ecstatic.

He would die five days later. Little this perishing young man know that he would show this Death Valley dictator what it means to be wholly mortal, alive in the face of death.

“When I was given the opportunity, I saw it as a real honor to visit with a guy who had that spirit and that strength in those last days,” Miles said.

“A PRETTY SPECIAL GUY” They got along so well because they’re both famous, April postulates.

Looking at his Facebook, you’d think TJ was superstar. There are thousands of posts on the page his mother keeps up from close friends, strangers and foreigners alike since his sickness. He was adored, and had a knack for roping people in, like he did with Miles.

TJ’s athletic career was the icebreaker. He was All-State in basketball, baseball and football, breaking every passing

MILES vs.

ALABAMA

5-3

MILES, see page 15

The Daily Reveille

Friday, November 2, 2012

page 11 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A LE OF WO CHES

Saban’s memories linger at LSU as his third return trip to BR awaits

Chris Abshire Sports Writer

For obvious reasons, Alabama coach Nick Saban might be the most polarizing sports figure in Baton Rouge.

It’s familiar territory. Saban began his journey from Tiger to Tide in November of 1999 as a Midwesterner on the bayou, a stoic front facing a spicy state, a question mark for a program that had played it safe in coaching hires.

He couldn’t be more of a sure thing now, delivering two national titles and four 10-win seasons in five years at Alabama as the Crimson Tide holds the No. 1 spot again this fall.

Saban is rapidly becoming more myth than man, a perceived stickler intent on preaching the oft-repeated yet abstract “process,” all while he ascends to Bear Bryant status in college football lore.

His legendary standing at Alabama may be inevitable, but it was at LSU where Saban staked an initial claim to coaching stardom.

“There’s no secret to his success — he’s a visionary,” said LSU Associate Athletic Director Michael Bonnette, who worked closely with Saban during his time in Baton Rouge. “He came in here with a plan to put LSU back on the map, and that’s where we are.”

A MAN, NOT A ROBOT Bonnette said there is no denying Saban’s infamous intensity, but he added that the “robot” presented in the media doesn’t provide a full glimpse into the actual human.

The tales are numerous from his time at LSU. Bonnette said the coach’s sense of humor was a dry one, citing a comedic incident from one of his Southeastern Conference Media Days.

“Nick gets a bad rap as a mean or cold guy, but he saw the humor in situations,” Bonnette said. “His dog got loose at Media Day one year and wandered into the press room. I had to find the dog, corral it and bring it back to his wife, Terry. He looked at me and was cracking up. That was just the funniest thing to him.”

LSU Senior Associate Athletics Director Herb Vincent called Saban a “no-nonsense, focused individual.” But Vincent also said Saban’s “Mr. Serious” façade could crack in unexpected ways.

He recalled a scene in Saban’s office when former Tiger safety Ryan Clark made a crack about the coach’s outdated shirt collars.

“The room was bracing for a stern reaction,” Vincent said. “I think Ryan was scared as soon as he said it.”

It never came. Instead, the quip drew hearty

CAREER RECORD

laughter from the coach and even a wardrobe change.

“Nick had worn these shirts with real bulky, stiff collars on them,” he said. “Not too long after that, the collars got a little smaller and the shirts a little newer.

He could take a joke, but he was always listening.”

That’s a side of Saban supposedly few get to see because his reputation precedes him.

THE INEVITABLE COMPARISONS LSU sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Johnson said he chose LSU rather than Alabama, among others, because of the differing personalities between Saban and current LSU coach Les Miles.

“I related to Les better, and that’s why I’m here,” he said. “I play football to have fun, so I think that’s why I felt that way. Saban seemed like a good dude, but he didn’t seem much fun.”

The smiles may be rare, but Bonnette said that never hindered Saban’s ability to reach players. One example came each year with the Spring Game, which Saban dubbed the “Steak ’n Beans Bowl.”

After the game, the losing side would eat beans, while the winning team feasted on steak.

Saban usually sat squarely with the losers, fraternizing with them and eating beans from a tray.

ALABAMA RECORD

149-54-1 58-12

SABAN, see page 15

SABAN vs. LSU

3-4

page 12

The Daily Reveille

Friday, November 2, 2012

Friday, November 2, 2012

The Daily Reveille

page 13

LSU vs. Bama winner connects to presidential race Correlation goes back to 1984 Tyler Nunez Sports Contributor

It appears that the matchup between LSU and Alabama doesn’t only determine who wins the SEC West but also who becomes the leader of the free world.

Since 1984, the winner of this game during election years has directly correlated with the party affiliation of the winner of the presidential election, with LSU connected to the GOP and Alabama connected to the Democratic party.

This is probably just a coincidence, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama to pull for the Crimson Tide and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney to cheer on the Tigers come Saturday.

Contact Tyler Nunez at tnunez@lsureveille.com ROLAND PARKER / The Daily Reveille

Year

LSU/Alabama Score

Republican Candidate

Democratic Candidate

President-Elect

1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008

16-14 LSU 14-10 LSU 31-11 Alabama 26-0 Alabama 30-28 LSU 26-10 LSU 27-21 OT Alabama

Ronald Reagan George H.W. Bush George H.W. Bush Bob Dole George W. Bush George W. Bush John McCain

Walter Mondale Michael Dukakis Bill Clinton Bill Clinton Al Gore John Kerry Barack Obama

Ronald Reagan George H.W. Bush Bill Clinton Bill Clinton George W. Bush George W. Bush Barack Obama

The Daily Reveille

page 14

Friday, November 2, 2012

Big Game predictions from The Daily Reveille With every game that has passed, The Daily Reveille’s staff has listed its expectations, watched both the predicted and unexpected come to fruition on the football field and analyzed the outcomes. As LSU turns into a sea of purple, gold, crimson and houndstooth, The Daily Reveille’s sports staff and editors are casting their final thoughts. How will the game pan out? Here’s what our sports writers and editors think.

It’s been far too long since we’ve seen the Les Miles we know and love — the one who’s known for his trick plays, his giddy personality and his insanity underneath the white cap. That’s the Les Miles we’ll see in the Game of the Century, Part III. On paper, Alabama’s better. But the magic of Death Valley at night can’t be denied. This will be a game of skill versus spirit, and the optimist in me says spirit will win.

Score: LSU 17, Alabama 12 ANDREA GALLO Editor-in-Chief

I want to be a homer, but I need to keep my conscience clean. Alabama is on one hell of a run right now, and while the Tiger Stadium energy will keep the game close, Alabama will score late and pull away.

Score: Alabama 24, LSU 9 LUKE JOHNSON Sports Editor

We may be in for a game eerily similar to the 2009 LSU-Florida matchup. By all means, this should be a complete snoozefest, but I’m hoping for some Mad Hatter magic to make the night more interesting. I just don’t see it happening, though.

Remember, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron apparently never makes mistakes.

Score: Alabama 13, LSU 3 ALBERT BURFORD Deputy Sports Editor

The Tigers turn back the clock — to 2010. LSU uses a bye week to barely revive a dead offense and hold off a favored ’Bama team expected to repeats as national champs. A Les Miles trick play leads to an LSU touchdown as the Tiger defense forces two Tide turnovers. Drew Alleman again boots a game-winning field goal (sorry, that’s 2011) — this time his fourth of the game — with no time left to make it a hat trick of consecutive LSU regular-season wins against Alabama.

Score: LSU 19, Alabama 17 CHRIS ABSHIRE Sports Writer

Call it what you want, but the raucous, mostly inebriated, and always fickle Tiger Stadium crowd will hurt the home team. Boos will reign after each Zach Mettenberger incompletion and toss sweep, and will create an environment not conducive to pulling the upset. The LSU defense will hold steady, but I haven’t seen enough from the offense to – in a right mind – pick the Tigers.

Score: Alabama 23, LSU 7 CHANDLER ROME Sports Writer

Alabama is the best team in the country.

There’s no arguing that in my eyes.

The Tigers will need all the help they can get. If they fail to force McCarron to turn the ball over at least once, they lose. If Mettenberger can’t connect deep to soften that front, they lose. The defense will be fine, but only for so long.

The offense needs to move the ball early. I generally believe Tiger Stadium’s mystique is exaggerated, but if Death Valley stays rocking, maybe it can delay the Tide passing attack for a bit while that of the Tigers finds a rhythm. But I just don’t see it.

Score: Alabama 17, LSU 6 ALEX CASSARA Sports Writer

When it comes down to it, Alabama is the better team. Coach Les Miles said he expects to throw the ball better against the Crimson Tide, but I’m not convinced. The 10-point spread is a bit too much for me, and I still think the Tigers cover. Even though I picked Alabama, never count out the magic that is Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

Score: Alabama 20, LSU 16 MICAH BEDARD Sports Columnist

The last two weeks have Sports Contributor been promising for LSU fans, as victories against the Gamecocks and Aggies have injected new life into a fan base that was looking for answers after a devastating loss in Gainesville.

People can say what they want, but I think Saturday’s game will be closer than people expect.

Score: LSU 24, Alabama 21 LAWRENCE BARRECA

If the LSU SPENCER HUTCHINSON defense is unSports Contributor successful at slowing the surgically efficient, mistake-free Alabama offense, a slaughtering LSU has seldom experienced in Tiger Stadium could be looming. Ultimately, homefield advantage will help the Tigers keep the game close. But the Tide will win by a comfortable onetouchdown margin because the Tigers’ offense has proved time and time again that it will be incapable of going toe-to-toe.

Score: Alabama 20, LSU 13 The LSU offense is moving at a less efficient rate than last year’s muchmaligned unit. Mettenberger’s struggles have been well-documented, but the wide receiver position has struggled without Rueben Randle there to stretch the field.

TREY LABAT

Sports Contributor

Alabama’s passing offense is much-improved with the continued development of A.J. McCarron, and the Tigers passing defense has already given up as many touchdowns as they did all of last year.

These things combined with an impatient Death Valley crowd could spell disaster for LSU. Score: Alabama 17, LSU 3

has improved dramatically, throwing 18 touchdowns against zero interceptions, and LSU’s saving grace from last season is gone, as kicker Jeremy Shelley hasn’t missed a field goal this season. LSU will give Alabama a fight, but the Tide will prove to be too much come the fourth quarter.

Score: Alabama 24, LSU 13

Prepare to be bored. These Sports Contributor two teams are basically clones of each other, and they’ll stick to their guns with a heavy dose of running the football and stout defense. The crowd will rattle Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron much like it did to South Carolina’s Connor Shaw, and the Tigers will kick a late field goal.

Score: LSU 13, Alabama 10

The game will be a defensive struggle.

The difference-maker is that LSU is playing at home with the longest home win streak in the nation. I predict a tight, conservative game, but the team that takes chances in the fourth quarter will win. The Mad Hatter will try something just crazy enough to work.

Score: LSU 17, Alabama 14

LSU will win the game against Alabama on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium based on all the factors in the Tigers favor. It’s a night game in Death Valley following a bye week, and LSU is the underdog.

All the Tigers have to do is play like they want to win, and they will earn the victory. It won’t be a blowout, but the Tigers will come out on top.

Score: LSU 27, Alabama 21

LSU stuck to the script on offense for a full season-and-a-half. Run, run again, run some more and pass just enough to keep the defense honest. With Alabama expecting LSU to continue its methodical, poundit-out-on-the-ground approach on offense, LSU coach Les Miles will try his best to pull the rug out from under Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban. Thus the Tigers will live and die on the right arm of junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger.

There will be a plethora of threestep drops, 5-yard outs and probably a couple interceptions, but the Tigers will be counting on a some big plays to make the difference in the game.

Score: LSU 20, Alabama 16.

MARCUS RODRIGUE

BRIA TURNER

Sports Contributor

All the conditions are perfect for LSU. Players will come into Death Valley on Saturday night with fire in their hearts and a thirst for vengeance. Unfortunately, It won’t be enough. Alabama’s defense still looks stone cold, allowing only 8.1 points per game, A.J. McCarron TYLER NUNEZ

Sports Contributor

JAMES MORAN

Sports Contributor

SCOTT BRANSON Sports Contributor

Friday, November 2, 2012 MILES, from page 10

family describes Miles.

record in Florala High School’s A COACH, A CLOWN, A FATHER, A book his senior year. His passion FRIEND Of all the things Miles is, a was for pigskin, but he was still more suited for the baseball dia- premier college football coach is mond and ended up as a catcher for certainly one of them. A 48-6 home an Alabama community college. record and a crystal ball speak for themselves. The Then, his sometimes-silly throat began to ‘[Miles] was like a play calling does hurt, it got worse, and led to a can- friend. ... He wanted to get him in hot water with those insacer diagnosis. But that’s as far as get to know the family tiable inhabitants of Tiger Stadium, they could go, acand [TJ’s] friends. but never for too cording to April, long. He delves who said doctors ... I think that’s very shoulder-deep into ran approximately admirable.

TJ had that hat of his and 40 tests on her son and couldn’t him intrigued, and he all is forgotten.

What’s unpinpoint the prob- wanted to learn more forgettable about lem. Standing at 6about him.’ him, of course, foot-1, he dropped is that persona: down to 118 April Fleming “Uncle Les,” like pounds from 235 mother of TJ Fleming Beard and so many before he passed. others call him. “A Miles, sitting in New Orleans traffic, was happy player’s coach.” His calculated but to speak with TJ when Hudson vacuous news conference quotes cold-called him. They talked every are famous. Always laughing and day until TJ passed, about family, making others laugh, those being LSU football and some personal starstruck fans or cynical media.

That’s the Miles most people things, “if you understand.” They spoke on the phone “three or four” know, aloof for the most part; both times, Miles said, and texted when personable and perplexing. But he was rendered unable to speak. pull back the veil, talk to those And when he made the call to the who know him, and he comes into coach, Hudson said he listened to focus a bit.

Shawn Jordan, a former fullMiles pull the Escalade over to the back who was recruited by and shoulder.

“When I heard who he was as won BCS rings at LSU with both a man, I wanted in,” Miles said. Saban and Miles is a good point “When I got him, I realized he had of reference. Saban is unfairly a great sense of humor … A pretty vilified, Jordan feels, but he didn’t hesitate to separate the two. special guy.”

“Just a good, regular ‘ole Funny thing, that’s how TJ’s

The Daily Reveille guy,” Jordan said of Miles.

Miles would bring his kids around the complex, allowing Jordan to watch them grow up.

ESPN’s Wright Thompson fleshed out “Miles the Family Man” leading up to the “Game of the Century,” painting a coach trying to raise his biological and contractually obligated children — all 123 of them — at the same time.

So with the gameplanning, practices, media opportunities and family obligations, how in the hell did he find time to talk with TJ? “I made time,” Miles said.

When April got behind the curtain, “[Miles] wasn’t like he is on TV”. She was surprised at how down to earth he was and she could feel the love for his family from 300 miles away.

The signed photo TJ truly wanted didn’t make it to him in time. Neither did the No. 9 jersey with “Fleming” emblazoned on the back. But April keeps them safe, as they remind her of the joy Miles brought her son in his final days.

“He was like a friend,” Fleming said. “...He wanted to get to know the family and [TJ’s] friends. ... I think that’s very admirable. TJ had him intrigued, and he wanted to learn more about him.”

Contact Alex Cassara at acassara@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @cassaraTDR

page 15 SABAN, from page 11

According to Bonnette, Saban also had a ritual before practice to foster relationships with players.

Prior to the completion of LSU’s Football Operations Center, players would dress out before practice in the Tiger Stadium locker rooms and bus over to the practice fields.

“Instead of having them take the bus, Nick would often pull one guy aside every so often and drive through campus with them on the way to practice,” Bonnette said.

“That’s how he got to know them.

He earned players’ trust.”

Players may trust him, but the narrative of Nick Saban has already been sculpted, and his notorious tirades at the media and process-oriented, business-like approach often shine more than the humanity.

That was a necessary tone for LSU at the time of his arrival, as likable coaches and in-house hires alike had failed to harness the resources of Lousiana’s only big-time athletic institution.

Vincent said Saban’s tireless, narrow-minded focus spearheaded projects to build the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student Athletes and perhaps LSU’s best concrete recruiting tool, the Football Operations Center.

“Nick wanted a well-rounded program,” Vincent said. “From facilities to recruiting to fundraising, he put in an inordinate amount of time to getting the things LSU needed to establish itself as an elite program.”

An elite program that Saban’s now-primary competitor, Les Miles, holds the reigns to. The perception of the men couldn’t be more different.

The off-the-cuff Miles versus a by-the-book Saban. Luck versus Genius. The Mad Hatter versus Just Plain Mad. Bonnette, who has worked intimately with both men, thinks the truth is probably slightly closer to the middle, but said the personality difference is a fun quirk.

“There’s a lot of different ways to skin a cat, if you will, and we’re both top-five programs,” he said.

“Nick is a very private guy, whereas Les is very outgoing; no one is a stranger to Les. Nick was the opposite of that. He’s the guy in the corner that was OK being there. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

The coaching contrast and Saban’s history at LSU has also had an unintended consequence.

It’s given LSU a visible rival in Alabama, one that has entrenched the Tigers at the head of the college football table, eyeing their former coach and hated divisional foe across the way.

“With the direction of the LSUAlabama series, I think maybe we look back at Saban vs. Miles someday like we do Bo vs. Woody, Switzer and Osborne or John McKayAra Parseghian at USC and Notre Dame,” said Pat Forde, Yahoo’s national sports columnist. “You need standout personalities to resonate. Saban’s does, just in a different way than most are used to, and each school has benefited. LSU has seen both.”

Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @AbshireTDR

SPORTS TAKES OVER

Opinion

page 16

Friday, November 2, 2012

Chaos in Death Valley ’Bama is better than LSU, but it may not matter THE BERT LOCKER ALBERT BURFORD Deputy Sports Editor ’Bama is better, y’all.

The Alabama football team is more talented than the LSU football team. It’s shown it all season, and anyone who thinks otherwise is lying to themselves.

But don’t fret, LSU fans — it doesn’t matter.

It doesn’t matter which team is better, which coach is superior or which team puts out more NFL draft picks. When the sun goes down and the crowd stands up in Tiger Stadium, all bets are off.

Throw the analysis and predictions out the window. A rivalry of this magnitude and a game of this importance trumps any perceived advantage either team may hold.

You only have to look back two years to find the last time LSU came away with a win against a favored Alabama team in

Tiger Stadium.

In that game, No. 12 LSU knocked off No. 5 Alabama thanks to some huge plays, including a 75-yard Rueben Randle touchdown catch from Jordan Jefferson, a fourth-and-1 conversion to set up a go-ahead score, a two-point conversion and a trio of Josh Jasper field goals.

Two years prior to that, an overmatched LSU team got as close as possible to upsetting the Crimson Tide in Death Valley but couldn’t pull off the win.

Then-No. 1 Alabama came to Baton Rouge to play a 6-2 LSU team that would finish the regular season 7-5. On paper, the game was over before it began.

But Ricky Jean-Francois made the game too close for the Crimson Tide’s liking when he blocked a 29-yard field goal attempt on the last play of the game to send the contest into overtime. Even though the Tigers didn’t win, plays like that one are indicative of what can happen when a favored Alabama

team enters Tiger Stadium at night.

It’s not just LSU and Alabama that are affected by a wild-card rivalry.

In 2007, the season of the upset, 1-3 Stanford upended No. 2 USC in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans came in as 41-point favorites, but faltered in a huge way, losing 24-23.

Later that season, a fierce rivalry once again proved that sometimes records don’t matter.

The 2007 Backyard Brawl paired 4-7 Pittsburgh against 10-1 No. 2 West Virginia in Morgantown, W. Va. What looked at the start of the night like a surefire trip to the national title game for the Mountaineers ended in a 13-9 Pitt victory.

When two real rivals face each other in a volatile environment, there are no laws. It’s as if The Joker takes over the game and forces his reign of chaos upon the stadium.

That’s what LSU needs

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

Former LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle runs the ball for a touchdown Nov. 6, 2010, during the Tigers’ 24-21 win against Alabama.

on Saturday.

The Mad Hatter needs to be the Joker, and throw a wrench in the works of the well-oiled Crimson Tide machine.

Because if the game plays out as planned, Alabama will have no problem.

Albert Burford is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Louisville, Ky. Contact Albert Burford at aburford@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @albertutz

LSU, Alabama provide perfect ‘hate gumbo’ ingredients LOCKS OF JUSTICE MARCUS RODRIGUE Sports Contributor Hate is a strong word.

It’s one of those words we reserve for the truly great evils of this world. Evils like famine, war, pestilence or anything that has to do with the University of Alabama.

But this sort of hatred requires great care and attention for cultivation, much like a massive pot of gumbo. Following the recipe is key for the best-tasting, spiciest Cajun cuisine.

We begin with an age-old rivalry. Though LSU first drew blood with a 12-6 victory against Alabama in 1895, the Tigers have spilled far

more over the past 117 years. Tension is sure to exist between two foes who have been exchanging blows for almost four generations.

Next, throw in decade after decade of being the whipping boy.

Before the turn of the century, Alabama led the series 42-16-5, with a good portion of its wins coming in the form of blowouts.

Follow that up with the Alabama fan base. There are few places in the country that spawn more smug and stuck-up fans with a ridiculous sense of entitlement. A sense of entitlement that is quite unwarranted, considering LSU leads the series 9-4 and has just as many national championships as Alabama since 2000.

If you want to add some overkill to the flavor of your concoction, then mix in a heaping

The Daily Reveille Editorial Board

Andrea Gallo Emily Herrington Bryan Stewart Brian Sibille Clayton Crockett

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Opinion Editor

helping of hype from the national media. ESPN basically craps its pants and shuts itself down during the week of the LSU-Alabama game.

Hell, the game even merits its own ticker.

And let’s not forget the media’s incredible decision-making skills.

Last year, they found it just to call Alabama the No. 2 team in the country and give it a spot in the national title game when it wasn’t even the best team in its own division come season’s end.

But I figure it’s hard for the media to say much else when their lips are permanently curved in the shape of Alabama’s ass.

For those out there who need the spiciest product possible, make some room for a traitorous

head coach.

A coach who cut and ran to the NFL for cash and a little prestige after LSU’s first national title since 1958, then scurried away from the professional ranks and set up shop with our archrival when things didn’t go so well in the NFL. A coach we burn in effigy, and whose name I dare not speak.

And finally, bring out the greatest regular season ever. Bring out 13-0, an Southeastern Conference Championship and an upset against the No. 2 Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala. But don’t put it in. Instead, grab those three-and-a-half miserable hours from last January. Take the opportunity to prove all the naysayers wrong and the dashed hopes and dreams of what could have been

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the greatest team ever. Put it in and close the lid.

Now let it sit for 299 days.

And when Saturday comes around, spoon-feed it to those superhumans clad in purple and gold.

Give it to the masses, the 93,000 that will constitute the largest organized riot Tiger Stadium has ever seen.

And on that day, when the sun finds its home in the western sky, we can finally channel that hate toward something positive: beating Alabama.

Marcus Rodrigue is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Thibodaux, La. Contact Marcus Rodrigue at mrodrigue@lsureveille.com

Quote of the Day

“Certainly, we will appreciate the national media that will surround this game. I can tell you that I really don’t care.”

Les Miles LSU coach prior to 2008 LSU vs.

Alabama game

SPORTS TAKES OVER Friday, November 2, 2012

Opinion

page 17

Have perspective and give Mettenberger some time COOL HAND LUKE LUKE JOHNSON Sports Editor When the clock hits all zeroes tomorrow night, you can bank on one thing.

An inordinate amount of praise or blame will be heaped on the broad shoulders of LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger.

Win, and he’s the quintessential quarterback with the golden arm.

Lose, and he’s the reason LSU won’t reach those lofty goals that fans and media set at the beginning of the season.

It’s a tough position to be in, but it’s a problem LSU signal callers have faced in the past and will face in the future. The fickle Tigers’ fan base needs a winner, and it needs one that can do it with flair.

Since his first underwhelming performance, those fans have been jumping off the Mettenberger wagon at a rate that suggests it’s carrying a flesh-eating bacteria.

Everyone expected Mettenberger to seemlessly direct thenNo. 3 LSU’s offense in the season-opener against North Texas.

He turned in an efficient 19of-26 performance in LSU’s 4114 win. It was productive, but missing that scintillating moment — that’s been the theme this season.

Mettenberger has posted runof-the-mill numbers this season.

He’s been erratic at times, completing just 56.6 percent of his passes, and his seven touchdowns in eight games won’t prompt Heisman voters to call his name any time soon.

Heading into LSU’s most important contest of the season, he’s already been discarded into

ERIC KAYNE / The Associated Press

LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger throws the ball Oct. 20 during the Tigers’ 24-19 win against Texas A&M in College Station.

the second-rate quarterback bin instead of being the catalyst that would turn LSU into a ‘Bamabeater.

Pump the brakes, y’all. Have some perspective.

It seems fitting that the entire reason Mettenberger was put into the situation as LSU’s savior in the first place was because of how putrid the Tigers’ offense was the last time it played Alabama.

He was the anti-Jordan Jefferson. Even in the hours and days after LSU was embarrassed in the national championship game, LSU coach Les Miles was

questioned as to why Mettenberger wasn’t given a chance to jumpstart LSU’s offense.

Now, eight weeks into the 2012 season, Miles has fielded questions about whether he’s given transfer quarterback Rob Bolden any consideration as an option threat.

Give me a break.

Here’s my proposition: rather than look for a quick fix to something that hasn’t proven to be broken, give the man some time.

He’s still just three-quarters of the way through his debut season at the helm of a Southeastern

Conference powerhouse, and the Tigers have fared well with him in control of the wheel.

LSU has outscored its opponents by a 16.4 point average this season, dropping just one contest in a hostile environment to a Florida team that’s proven itself to be capable of hanging with the big boys this season.

And you never know, Mettenberger might turn in that comingof-age performance like Matt Flynn did against ‘Bama in 2007 when he threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-34 LSU win. The same Matt Flynn who

had spookily similar stats seven games through his first season as starter before beating the Tide and leading LSU to a National Championship.

If that happens, I’ll be on the lookout for your “Mettenberger for Heisman” signs.

Luke Johnson is a 26-year-old mass communication senior from Lake Mills, Wi. Contact Luke Johnson at ljohnson@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @lukejohnson44

Crimson Tide has more at stake than Tigers MIC’D UP MICAH BEDARD Sports Columnist Hide your kids, hide your wife — Alabama is coming to town.

I get it. The Crimson Tide has the best defense, smartest coach and is currently the No. 1 team in all the land. They might as well steal Globo-Gym’s mantra, “Here at Alabama, we’re better than you, and we know it.”

In the eyes of most national college football pundits, it’s more likely Alabama coach Nick Saban cracks a smile than the Crimson Tide fall to an LSU team that only beat lowly Auburn by two points earlier in the season.

While last season’s “Game of the Century” between

top-ranked LSU and Alabama was a tussle between two undefeated Southeastern Conference powers, this season’s matchup has a different feel.

Alabama rolls into Baton Rouge as a 10-point favorite. Not taking anything away from the Crimson Tide, but 10 points? Really?

The last time a Les Milescoached football team lost by more than a touchdown in Tiger Stadium was against Florida in 2009 when Tim Tebow was taking snaps for the Gators.

Those are pretty lofty expectations to live up to for the visitors from the Yellowhammer State. Not to mention Alabama hasn’t had to take its talents on the road against any opponent of consequence this season.

Alabama dismantled Michigan 41-14 in the 2012 Cowboys

Classic, but that game was played at the neutral site of Cowboys Stadium.

Even when the Crimson Tide entered SEC play, its three road opponents — Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee — have a combined conference record of 3-12.

Beating those teams isn’t exactly proving themselves on the road.

I don’t want to be the one to use the “they haven’t played anyone argument,” but it’s hard not to bring it up when discussing Saban’s crew. Sure they’ve been dominant, but have they been tested by a team that had the tools to beat them?

Whether or not that’s the case, Alabama has one task for the rest of its 2012 campaign — win out and defend its 2012 BCS National Championship in Miami, Fla. It sounds simple enough, but

it’s similar to the case LSU was in when it visited The Swamp at the beginning of October.

The Tigers were undefeated and untested and got beaten by Florida, who wanted to prove it was the better team. Alabama will be caught in the same conundrum on Saturday.

The Tigers have already lost.

They know what it feels like, and they don’t want it to happen again.

Sure, the Tigers are still playing with their preseason goal of reaching the national championship, but with the way the BCS has shaken out over the first 10 weeks of the college football season, they still need a lot of help.

Despite losing early on in the season, even if LSU takes down ’Bama, it likely won’t jump Kansas State, Notre Dame or Oregon, who are all undefeated.

It’s quite possible that LSU could win out and still be left out of the national championship unless two of those three loses.

Alabama is playing for much more. With only Texas A&M, Auburn and a likely date with Georgia in the SEC Championship, the Crimson Tide holds its own destiny in its quest for backto-back national championships.

The only problem is, the Crimson Tide has all the pressure and everything to lose. The Mad Hatter with a loaded deck in his backyard is dangerous, and Saban knows it.

Micah Bedard is a 22-year-old history senior from Houma.

Contact Micah Bedard at mbedard@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @DardDog

The Daily Reveille

page 18

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Friday, November 2, 2012

The Daily Reveille

TOP WINS, from page 3

REID, from page 3

Tuscaloosa, Ala. “People recognize me a little bit more when I go places now, but it’s all cool,” Reid said.

He garners more attention on the field these days, too.

Fellow junior safety Craig Loston said opposing defenses scheme to avoid Reid now that they don’t have to contend with former standout LSU defenders like Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu.

But that hasn’t stopped Reid from continuing his ball-hawking ways. Wherever the ball is, Reid can usually be found nearby.

After leading the team in tackles last season, Reid is currently third in tackles on the team with 50, tied for first in interceptions with two and first in deflected passes with six this season.

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

LSU fans celebrate Nov. 11, 2010, after the Tigers’ 24-21 victory against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.

Javier Arenas shifted all the momentum in the Tide’s favor when he took a punt back 61 yards to put them up by seven with less than three minutes remaining in the game.

Then-quarterback Matt Flynn hooked up with Early Doucet on a 32-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 34, and running back Jacob Hester pounded in a score from a yard out to put the Tigers ahead with 1:26 to go.

It was the Tigers’ fourth straight win in Tuscaloosa, Ala. 2. LSU 35 Alabama 21, Nov. 3, 2001 The 2001 Tigers team went into Tuscaloosa with a 4-3 record and little momentum after losing three of their last five games.

Then something happened that turned their whole season around.

Quarterback Rohan Davey and wide receiver Josh Reed had the game of their lives. Davey threw for 528 yards and Reed hauled in 19 receptions for 293 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown that put LSU up for good.

The Tigers won their last four regular season games, including an upset of No. 2 Tennessee in the SEC Championship Game, and dominated Illinois in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. LSU won its first SEC Title since 1988, and the legend of Saban began.

4. LSU 30 Alabama 28, Nov. 4, 2000 LSU hadn’t beaten Alabama at home in 31 years. In Nick Saban’s first year in Baton Rouge, he wanted to make sure he bucked that trend.

Without starting quarterback Davey, backup Josh Booty commanded the LSU offense and Reed hauled in eight receptions for 129 yards. A 16-yard pass from Booty to Robert Royal sealed the game for the Tigers in a high-scoring fourth quarter.

Tiger fans rushed the field after the game. They knew a new era of LSU football had just begun.

5. LSU 16 Alabama 13 OT, Nov. 12, 2005 In another overtime thriller all too common with the LSUAlabama rivalry, quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s 11-yard connection with wide receiver Dwayne Bowe in the extra period gave LSU the victory in Les Miles’ first year at the helm.

More importantly, it paved the way to the SEC Championship for the Tigers while knocking Alabama out of consideration.

After being shut out in the first half, LSU rallied to score 10 second-half points to send the game into overtime, eventually winning on Bowe’s touchdown reception.

Micah Bedard is a 22-year-old history senior from Houma.

Contact Micah Bedard at mbedard@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @DardDog

“Since [the interception], I think more people look forward to him making big plays like that, and he has done it and continues to do it,” Loston said.

Reid’s continued big hits and takeaways have made him the face of the Tigers’ defensive backfield, a role recently occupied by former big-name defenders Mathieu and Patrick Peterson.

Reid often receives the loudest cheers in Tiger Stadium when LSU’s defensive starting lineup is announced, and Loston said it all started with that interception.

A year after the most memorable play of his career, Reid and the Tigers are preparing for another showdown with the Tide, but Reid said it’s different this time.

Last year, the Tigers’ defensive backfield was littered with Heisman Trophy finalists, All-Americans and

Thorpe Trophy winners.

But now with many of those players gone, Reid has used the platform created by his big-play ability to become the vocal leader in the Tigers’ secondary.

“We’re young in the secondary, so I’ve just been trying to coach those guys up on the field and make sure they get lined up,” Reid said.

Saturday’s game will inevitably have another defining moment because big plays have to be made in big games, Reid said.

But Saturday’s big play will have nothing to do with the play that thrust him into LSU lore.

“The play isn’t going to affect this game at all,” Reid said. “That’s in the past.”

Contact Spencer Hutchinson at shutchinson@lsureveille.com

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3. LSU 9 Alabama 6 OT, Nov. 5, 2011 “The Game of the Century” certainly lived up to its billing, with LSU pulling out a 9-6 victory in overtime.

Let’s be honest — if the Tigers had gone on to beat Alabama in the national title game, this would be at the top of the list. But let’s just forget Jan. 9 ever happened.

The undisputed play of the game was LSU safety Eric Reid ripping the ball out of Alabama tight end Michael Williams’ hands for an interception on the Tide’s 1-yard-line late in the fourth quarter. Instead of scoring to break a 6-6 tie, LSU took over and a 73-yard punt by Brad

Wing sent the game into an extra period.

An Alabama missed field goal on the first possession of OT and kicker Drew Alleman’s 25-yard field goal gave the Tigers the win, and LSU fans wreaked havoc in Tuscaloosa.

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