SEC Round-Up: Alabama's dominance takes shine off of LSU rivalry
LSU vs. Alabama is the rivalry that was, but isn’t anymore.
Not that long ago the Tigers and Tide were college football’s version of Ali-Frazier or Lakers-Celtics. They didn’t have games. They had collisions. It was one group of future NFL players against another group of future NFL players vying for championships.
Both teams endured just one loss in 2011. They lost to each other. LSU won the “Game of the Century” in Tuscaloosa. Two months later, Alabama won a rematch for the national championship.
That Tide victory was the first of six straight that has turned the rivalry into a one-sided romp. The six-game winning streak is the longest in the series since coach Bear Bryant’s Crimson Tide won 11 consecutive from 1971-81. This has become a rivalry like a wrecking ball is the rival of a crumbling wall.
Of course, Alabama coach Nick Saban doesn't see it that way.
"This game has turned into a huge rivalry through the years – since I've been here, especially, probably even before that," Saban said at his weekly news confernce. "Since 2007, both teams have been ranked in the top 20 in each one of these games that we've played, and I don't think that this one is really any different.”
Saban’s right in that both teams are typically ranked. But this year Alabama is No. 1 in the AP poll. LSU is 19th. The last time there was such a disparity between them Saban wasn’t coaching Alabama. He was coaching LSU.
At least, LSU (6-2) has shown some signs that it can at least make Saturday’s clash with Alabama (8-0) interesting. The Tigers have won three in a row, including an upset of Auburn.
Running back Derrius Guice is healthy. Quarterback Danny Etling has had back-to-back 200-yard passing performances. The defense has been solid against the run.
But more interesting were statements from LSU sophomore linebacker Devin White this week.
"It's like having that big older brother that you can never beat up,” White said. "I feel like we haven't beat Alabama – well, it's proved we haven't beaten them in six years. But you know when you get old enough and you get big enough and you can beat your older brother up? So I feel now is the time to beat them up, beat them on the field.”
Although there was more to the quote in which White further acknowledged LSU’s futility against the Tide, Alabama players responded via Twitter.
“If any team noticed that anytime we play them we speak highly of them because we respect every team we play. We don't throw any signs of trash talk. We just lock them gates on Saturday,” linebacker Mack Wilson tweeted.
Added defensive end Isaiah Buggs: "One thing bout 'Bama. We dont talk trash. We just play ball.”
Those back-and-forth exchanges enhance a great rivalry. Too bad Alabama-LSU isn’t one.
Around the SEC...
Who’s hot: Question the competition if you must, but Missouri quarterback Drew Lock has thrown 18 touchdown passes over the last four games.He’s exceeded 250 passing yards in each of those games. Lock passed for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns vs. Kentucky, 253 and 4 TDs vs. Georgia, 467 and 6 TDs vs. Idaho and 377 and 5 TDs vs. Connecticut. He’ll face a stern test against Florida, which has allowed fewer than 200 passing yards in each of its last three games.
Who’s not: Texas A&M’s running game. After five games the Aggies were ranked 14th in the nation in rushing and averaging 255.6 yards. Now, they’re 42nd and are averaging 191. They’ve been held to fewer than 100 rushing yards in consecutive games against Alabama, Florida and Mississippi State. Their leading rusher in that span is quarterback Kellen Mond, who has rushed for 98 yards in those three games. The Aggies hope to jump-start the running game against Auburn. No opponent has gained 200 rushing yards against the Tigers, and five have been held to fewer than 125 rushing yards.
Keep an eye on: LSU running back Derrius Guice was finally healthy last week and rushed for 276 yards and a touchdown against Ole Miss. Now, there is a huge difference between running against Ole Miss and running against Alabama — this week’s opponent. But if LSU has any chance, Guice must run effectively. The last time an LSU rusher gained more than 42 yards against Alabama was Leonard Fournette in 2014. LSU lost 20-13 in overtime.
The pressure is on: Pick one: Auburn coach Gus Malzahn or Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin. Auburn has always had one of the most demanding administrations for its football coaches. Malzahn has been under fire in recent seasons. The fire could start raging again if the 6-2 Tigers fall in College Station and appear destined for another underachieving eight-win season with Georgia and Alabama looming. Speaking of eight-win seasons. It is well known that A&M Athletic Director Scott Woodward expects more than eight wins. Of course, Sumlin has had four consecutive years of completing the regular season with eight wins or less. A loss to Auburn ensures A&M (5-3) will manage no more than eight victories.
Best matchup: Alabama tackles Matt Womack and Jonah Williams against LSU edge rusher Arden Key is an intriguing contest. Key is perhaps the most talented edge rusher in the country. Womack and Williams are both highly-regarded tackles. Key figures to shift from side to side and will face both. LSU’s run defense may be sound enough to force Alabama to throw. LSU obviously wants to pressure Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts. That will likely depend on whether Key can beat the Alabama tackles.
This week’s games: Auburn at Texas A&M; LSU at Alabama; Ole Miss at Kentucky; Florida at Missouri; South Carolina at Georgia; Coastal Carolina at Arkansas; Massachusetts at Mississippi State; Southern Miss at Tennessee; Western Kentucky at Vanderbilt
