It's Saban Bowl III.  And anyone that thinks the newness of Saban coaching at a rival SEC program is starting to wear off couldn't be any more wrong.

The first two meetings between Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC) and his former team, the LSU Tigers (7-1, 4-1 SEC) were split, with the away team winning each game.  Not that the hate running through the veins of LSU fans needs any more of a reason to dispise their former coach, but this game will more than likely decide who wins the SEC West and, possibly, a chance at a national title.

LSU is coming off of a thumping of Tulane 42-0, and their only blemish so far was a hard fought game against the #1 Gators.  This hungry team is out to prove that they are better than what the critics are giving them credit for, and a win over the Tide in Tuscaloosa will almost certainly put them in a position to make a run at a national title.

Bama is coming off of a much needed off week.  It might not look daunting to most people, but they played a brutal stretch of games against 3 outstanding defensive teams.  Now their name is smeared a little to the voters, who think that this team isn't quite as strong as they appeared to be early in the season.  The Tide still holds its own destiny in its hands, but need to get prepared for an Armaggedon type battle.

This game will be all about defense (again).  Nick Saban and Les Miles match wits again.  Which team wants it more?  Expect this game to come down to the wire, and the defense that scores first just might be the victors.
 


*NOTE FOR TIEBREAKER QUESTION*  LSU averages 325 yards per game on offense, and allows 293 on defense.  Alabama averages 410 yards per game on offense and allows 240 on defense.

Alabama

LSU