Alabama, LSU on collision course
The Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers are always near the top of the college football polls. Since the turn of the millennium, Alabama and LSU seem to take turns sitting at the top of the SEC, easily the toughest conference in the land.
In 2015, we are singing the same song once again. LSU came into Saturday’s game against Western Kentucky as the fifth-ranked team in the United States, only one spot out of the college football playoff. Meanwhile, Alabama is at No. 8 and was facing the Tennessee Volunteers, a game the Crimson Tide was expected to win without question.
Instead, Alabama had to put forth a fourth-quarter comeback at Bryant-Denny Stadium, keeping the hopes of a championship alive. In true form, the Crimson Tide was able to do exactly that, watching as embattled quarterback Jake Coker drove Alabama the length of the field for a winning touchdown, and a 19-14 victory.
Coker was sublime against Tennessee, completing 21-of-27 passes for 247 yards, albeit with an interception. Coker had plenty of help with a stifling defense supporting him and a killer ground attack, featuring Derrick Henry. Henry was at his bruising-ram best, rolling up 143 yards and two touchdowns on 28 rushing attempts.
Over in Baton Rouge, LSU and head coach Les Miles were all smiles. The Tigers were heavily favored to cream the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky, and that is exactly what went down. LSU crushed the inferior opponent, 48-20. The Tigers were only leading 14-7 at halftime, but LSU came out and dominated in the second half, led by a 20-point outburst in the third quarter.
Heisman Trophy frontrunner Leonard Fournette was once again the star of the show for LSU. The Tigers’ All-Everything running back rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, leading the home team into a rousing victory.
So, could LSU and Alabama both be in the college football playoff? No, because a showdown is coming.
Both teams will rest up and enjoy a BYE week next Saturday, before gearing up for what will be the best game of the season on Nov. 7. Alabama will be playing host to LSU, with the folks in crimson going wild in the stands. The Tigers could lose and not drop far in the rankings, being that it would be their first of the season. However, a loss so late in the season would almost kill any hope of them being in the top four teams, let alone reaching the SEC Championship Game.
Last year, the game between these two was a classic, with Alabama winning in overtime at Baton Rouge, 20-13.
When these two teams finally hit the field on Nov. 7, they will both be ranked higher than their current positions. With No. 3 Utah falling on Saturday, both will have moved up at least one spot.
Buckle up. It’s LSU, and it is Alabama, one more time.
