Okay, my blog is a bit off topic today. Still, I would be less than genuine if I did not say that this game is really dominating my thoughts today. Anyone who knows me understands my love and passion for Alabama football. So thanks for allowing me a bit of fun.
The Game
The game of topic is the BCS Championship, commonly known as the national championship for college football. The finalists are Alabama and LSU. This game is unique for at least a couple of reasons. First, the game is a rematch, something that has never taken place in the BCS Championship. In November LSU defeated Alabama 9-6 in overtime. It was a classic game by, in my humble opinion, two classy teams. Through a series of stunning upsets and somewhat controversial poll voting, Alabama was able to move back into the number two slot at year’s end.
A second unique feature of this game is that both finalists represent the same conference, the Southeastern Conference. Never before has the BCS Championship included two teams from the same conference. Even more, both Alabama and LSU are in the same division, the SEC West, of the same conference.
A Worthy Opponent: LSU
I am very competitive. That means that I love my Bama team and often have disdain for other teams. But LSU is a school, like the Nebraska Cornhuskers, that I have always liked and appreciated. They have a great tradition and run a first class program.
If LSU wins, they will be the first school to have three BCS championships (they won in 2003 and 2007), a clear indicator of the strength of their football program. As a side note, college football reorganized to form the BCS in the 1998 season so that the national champion would be determined by a championship game. Tennessee–also from the SEC–won the first BCS championship, defeating Florida State 23-16.
LSU has always been a first class football team. They transitioned into the powerhouse they are today under the coaching leadership of Nick Saban, who is, of course, the current head coach at Alabama. Saban coached LSU from 2000 to 2004 before leaving for a brief stint in the NFL as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
But LSU lost no momentum when Saban left. Under the leadership of the shrewd and sometimes quirky Les Miles, LSU continues to be a football powerhouse as Miles has led LSU to two BCS championship games in his seven years at the helm in Baton Rouge.
Yes, I deeply hope Bama wins the rematch. But I do have great admiration for LSU. Such sentiments are not typically mine. In most cases, my negative passion against the opponent almost matches my positive passion for the Crimson Tide.
A Brief Overview of the Series
Alabama and LSU first played each other in 1895. They have been playing each other annually since 1964. Bama leads the series 45-25-5 (I almost forgot that college teams could tie in the past. I like the overtime rules of today.). Bama has the largest margin of victory, a 47-3 rout in 1922. The Crimson Tide also has the longest winning streak in the series’ history–11 games from 1971 to 1981.
But those statistics represent the past. Currently LSU has a two-game winning streak against Bama. And lest we forget, LSU is number one and Bama is number two–at least for now. We’ll know the final rankings late tonight.
My Deep Bama Bias
By all familial standards, I should be an Auburn fan. I grew up 40 miles from Auburn. My mother was a business school graduate of Auburn, when it was unheard of for a female to be in business school. Auburn talked to my dad about playing for them as a 165 pound offensive lineman! But dad decided to answer the call for his country and instead fought in World War II. Indeed, almost all the Rainers went to Auburn if they went to college.
So what happened to me?
I guess my allegiance to Bama was just foreordained from the foundations of the earth. I loved the winning attitude of Bear Bryant. He came to Bama when I was three years old and was still coaching there when I attended and graduated from the University of Alabama.
Bryant once said if he retired that he would "probably croak in a week" and said, "I imagine I’d go straight to the graveyard." Four weeks after coaching his final game, Bear Bryant died of a heart attack on January 26, 1983. I had just begun my first seminary class on the day he died.
Alabama is seeking to win its 14th national championship, and its second in three years. The school is tied with Notre Dame in poll-era and BCS national championships. Bama has been to more bowls (58) than any other team and has won more conference championships (26) than any other team.
Alabama, like LSU, went through some tough times before the arrival of Nick Saban, who restored both programs to new heights. Indeed, after Bear Bryant died in 1983, Bama won only one national championship (1992-93 season under coach Gene Stallings) until Saban arrived.
Who Will Win Tonight?
Of course, I’m picking Bama. But let’s have some fun. You pick the winner and the score, and I’ll give a $50 LifeWay gift card to the closest pick. For a tiebreaker, state how many rushing yards Trent Richardson will have. I know. He’s a Bama player, but my bias has been clearly stated. Feel free to make any comments as well.
It should be a great game.
Roll Tide.
24-17, LSU
97 rushing yards for TR
Alabama wins 14-10. TR rushes for 78 yards.
A faithful Tiger fan predicts: LSU 35 Alabama 21
14-7 Bama
Bama 24
LSU 13
Trent will have 112 rushing yards. (Rushing yards, not total yards, right?)
SURGE VOLVE AESTUS!
21-14 Alabama
108 rushing yards
LSU 14 Bama 10
Bama 13, LSU 10
I have LSU 24—ALA 18.
Bama 13
LSU 9
23-20 Alabama
LSU – 20
Alabama – 17
TR with 121 rushing yards.
23-19 — Alabama
Bama 13 – LSU 7
LSU 14–Bama 10
85 rushing yards for TR
Bama 17-13
Trent Richardson, 101 yards
A few years ago, Les Miles, doing one of his ‘quirky’ things, talked UGA out of the BCS championship game (and his own LSU team in) by carping on ‘they didn’t win their conference championship’–So I hope Alabama wins 50-3…but my prediction is Alabama, 9-8, 67 rushing yards for TR
Alabama, 22-17
Alabama, 22-17
TR will have 121 rushing yds
17-14 Bama over LSU
24-23 LSU
LSU 20
BAMA 13
23-14 LSU
Richardson 86 yrds
Bama 31-21
27-28
LSU
T Richardson = 121 yards
Bama 17 LSU 13!
Roll Tide!!
LSU 24 – Bama 21
Richardson – 101 Rushing Yards
20-17 – Bama
Alabama 24 LSU 16
Richardson 124 yrds
Roll TIDE!!!!!
Alabama 17
LSU 14
Ricardson. 96 yards rushing
17-10. LSU
Bama’s TR – 76 yrds.
Tiger’s T. Matthieu – 1 interception or forced fumble, 1 punt-return TD, and 2 McCarron sacks.
Tiger-Town USA – 1 enormous bowl of Elephant Gumbo.
21-17 the SABANATION. We win with a field goal.
ROLL TIDE!! My father-in-law, A. J. McDanal, was Bear Bryant’s roommate in college – and of course he also played football for Bama (championship teamer)!
ALABAMA 17 – LSU 14 Trent – 160 rushing yards!
LSU 31 BAMA 10 TR rushes for 99
14-13, Alabama. TR 101 yards.
Bama 27, Tigers 20. (Overtime)
27-22 (LSU)
Richardson rushes for 114
I like that SABANATION math you have going on there, CB. If Alabama ends with 21, they were already ahead 18-17.
BTW- TR will have 91 yards.
Geaux LSU!
Lsu 21 Alabama 16
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
10-9, LSU. 102 rushing yards for TR
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
Ala 17
LSU 10
Richardson 109
Bama 14 LSU 10. Trent Richardson 97 yards
Alabama wins 17-13. TR rushes for 103 yards. Roll Tide!
Bama wins 24-17 and TR has 104 yards rushing
LSU 27
Bama 24
TR – 79 yards
LSU 21- Bama 7 – 110 yards
Alabama 17
LSU 10
TR – 107 yds rushing.
23-17 Alabama.
31-30 Bama. T Rich has 111 rushing with 1 TD, 57 yds Receiving with 1 TD.
Not a Bama fan, I’m a WVU fan but ROLL TIDE!
Alabama 21- LSU 20
Bama winning 14-10 over LSU
Since I’m not longer one of your students…I can disagree with you now without fear, lol! Geaux Tigers! Tiger born and Tiger raised…LSU wins 24-16
LSU 16
Bama 12
Trent Richardson will have 68 yards rushing.
LSU 17
Bama 13
TR – 102 yards
34-13 Alabama.
Just like 1992 in the Superdome.
TR with 316 all-purpose yards.
#TR3:16
38-27 LSU
TR – 104 yards
LSU 17
Alabama 14
LSU 17
Bama 10
TR – 92 yards
LSU 23-20.
I think Trent Richardson will rush for 117 yards.
I imagine one of the defenses will score a TD (INT or fumble return for TD).
24 to 14: Alabama wins their 14th National Championship.
Trent rushes for 122 yards. RTR.
LSU 17 Alabama 13
LSU 17 Alabama 14
Alabama 17, LSU 13
TR rushes for 138 yards
LSU 35 Alabama 21. Trent Richardson for 126 yards.
ALA 20 – LSU 17
Tide – 20
Tigers – 17
TRich – 68 yds rushing
17-16 – Alabama
Richardson – 93
LSU 27 Bama 7 : : Richardson rushes for 51 yards
9-6 Alabama
76 rushing yds. for trent.
What I’d LIKE to say is LSU 173, Bama -14, but I suppose a more reasonable guess would be LSU 24, Bama 17. TR 10 yds.
Alabama wins- 20 to 16
TRich- 116 rushing yards
ALA 24
LSU 17
Richardson 96 yards
Alabama 17
LSU 21
Alabama 17 LSU 14
Trent will have 111 rushing yards
ROLL TIDE!!
LSU 20
Bama 10
(Bama up 10-3 at half).
LSU 17 BAMA 13
LSU 34 Bama 30
Postscript: In a fit of despair T Ranier trades Ed Stetzer to Thomas Nelson for Andy Andrews and a book draft to be named later.
LSU 17-10
Alabama 15 LSU 9
Richardson 187 Years
LSU 21
Bama 10
Richardson out with an injury after 65 yards.
Ha ha – no I hope he remains uninjured. Richardson will have 145 yards.
Dear Marty,
I hope wild dogs attack and eat you alive. Until that happens, I trust you are in well health and all you undertake to do does prosper.
Your friend with undying loyalty,
cb
LSU 25- Bama 13
LSU: 24
BAMA: 20
Trent Richardson Rushing Yards: 78
‘Bama 24-23 (yes, ‘Bama will amazingly hit a field goal at some point!)
Richardson 128.
Epic game.
LSU 17
ALA. 10
Trent rushing yards 89
Bama: 21-17.
It will be close no matter who wins.
LSU wins 24-10
oops…
LSU 24-10
Richardson 89 yards
“LSU is a school, like the Nebraska Cornhuskers, that I have always liked and appreciated. They have a great tradition and run a first class program.”
Wow! I wasn’t expecting that random but greatly appreciated reference to my beloved Cornhuskers in the midst of an all-SEC national championship discussion. Blessings upon you and your entire household, Dr. Rainer!
Alabama 20, LSU 17
Richardson 94 yards
LSU 21-20
LSU 16-10
82 yards for Richardson
Alabama 13
LSU 9
Richardson – 112
So far the predictions are close: 48-43 say Bama will win. You have four more hours to pick a winner.
6 Alabama 14 LSU
I’ll bite. My guess is Tigers blow out Tide by 20+ . Special teams swagger! Im gonna say 41-14 LSU. I was in AL for tge Tide’s last tiltle but this time Im calling Bayou blitz!
Bama 23 LSU 20. Richardson 86 yrd rushing.
LSU beats Bama 24-17. Trent Richardson rushes for 77 yards.
LSU 28 Bama 7
TR rushes for 88 yards
LSU 17, Alabama 13 (Sorry, Thom)
TR will end up with 112 yards rushing
Alabama 26-17
TR rushes 98 yards
LSU 20
Bama 17
21-13 Bama my prediction.
Alabama 20- LSU 10.
TR: 121 yards
Bama…24-16
17-10 LSU. TR runs for 111 yards
22-18 Bama Trent with 118 yards
21-14 LSU
OK. I have been hedging on how many yards Richardson will get. Lacy will play much more tonight than before. He is well from his injury. Therefore, Richardson will get 85-95 yards rushing.
BTW, Foster will not miss a field goal.
ROLLTIDE ROLL!!
13-14 LSU. 23 rushing yards for Trent.
Alabama 21, LSU 17. RTR!
Alabama 13 LSU 10
Trent Richardson – 96 yds rushing.
LSU 30 Alabama 21
Alabama 13 LSU 10
Trent Richardson 96 yds rushing.
30 21 LSU wins
TR runs for 96 yds
Alabama wins 20-17 in overtime.
LSU 17 Bama 10
24-10 LSU
87 yards rushing
LSU 7 Alabama 6
Since nobody got the score right, is there any love for getting the yardage right?
Congratulations to our winner tonight – Timmy Brister. Bama by 21. Roll Tide.
We are the National Champions!
We have won 14 National Championships!
We are the SABANATION!
We are the ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE!
CAN YOU HEAR IT? I CAN! IT IS ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!