We look back at LSU and Alabama’s clash in 2011 for our weekly Throwback Thursday column.
The LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide meet this week in a battle of two top three teams. While the Tide look to be well on their way to an SEC championship and national title, Ed Orgeron’s Tigers are out to earn a spot of their own in the championship game. The scenario for this game might have both fans remembering what happened seven years ago when both teams met in Tuscaloosa for what was dubbed the “Game of the Century”.
Nick Saban and Alabama were at the height of their powers back in 2011. After coming off a three-loss season the previous year, the Tide was out to win a national title. Led by quarterback AJ McCarron and a dominant defense led by Mark Barron, Dont’a Hightower as well as other future pros, Alabama rolled through the first half of their schedule. The Tide was 8-0 and ranked second in the country behind their next opponent LSU.
Les Miles had his sights set on bringing a second national title to Death Valley entering the season. Like their conference opponent from Tuscaloosa, LSU was loaded with NFL talent from Odell Beckham Jr. to Morris Claiborne, Jarvis Landry and Bennie Logan, the Tigers were certainly one of the favorites to win it all in 2011. They held up their end of the bargain through the first half of the year, with an 8-0 record heading into the clash against Alabama. It marked the first meeting between two SEC teams who were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country and undefeated.
For any fans who like a defensive slugfest, this was the game to watch. Alabama had two field goal tries in the first quarter from 44 and 50 yards, but Cade Foster missed both after long drives. The Tide called on new kicker Jeremy Shelley in the second quarter, but another attempt failed after Logan blocked the kick. The Tigers were unable to capitalize and with just under four minutes left in the first half, Shelley connected on a 34-yard field goal to give Alabama a 3-0 lead. LSU mounted a drive but stalled forcing a 19-yard field goal try from Drew Alleman. The kick was good to tie the game 3-3.
It was more of the same in the second half. Foster redeemed himself with a 46-yard field goal to give Alabama the lead back, but that would be the only points of the third quarter. LSU’s Alleman responded early in the fourth with a 25-yard field goal to tie the game once again. The rest of the quarter was marked by an interception from LSU and punts. The game headed to overtime tied at six.
Alabama had the ball first in overtime. McCarron threw two incompletions and was sacked, forcing another field goal attempt from Foster. Foster’s bad night continued as he missed a 52-yarder. All LSU needed were points on their first possession. Alleman came through again with a 25-yard field goal and the Tigers walked away with a 9-6 win.
With the win over Alabama, LSU won the SEC western division, earning a spot in the conference championship game. The Tigers defeated No. 12 Georgia easily 42-10 and finished ranked first in the AP Top 25 poll. They would see a familiar face in the national championship game.
The loss proved to be a mere bump in the road for Alabama. The Crimson Tide won their last three games and finished ranked No. 2 in the country. They earned a spot in the national championship and defeated, you guessed it, LSU 21-0 for their second title in three years.
LSU may not be the most dominant force in the SEC this year, but Orgeron and his Tigers should not be taken lightly by Alabama. Saban and company are all too familiar with what happened in 2011. Will there be another shake-up in the polls by LSU again this year? The world will find out Saturday night.