It was a game for the ages last year: a top 5 matchup between Alabama and LSU at Bryant Denny Stadium.
But this year things are quite different...
Alabama is currently the No. 1 team in the nation while LSU is not only unranked, but have just two wins on the season.
"We’re focused on playing Alabama on Saturday night," said LSU head coach Ed Orgeron. "It’s going to be a great challenge for us. They have a great team, a great offense. It’s going to be a big challenge but we’re ready."
"This is often a big game for us," said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. "The LSU game is always a big game, it’s turned into kind of a rivalry game because of the success of the two programs and I don’t think this year is really any different, regardless of record. LSU has a lot of really really good players."
LSU has struggled on and off the field this season. Most recently with more positive COVID cases and their starting quarterback Myles Brennan once again being out due to injury.
"It’s going to be challenge obviously with the guys out and the quarterbacks that we have. We may have to put someone else at quarterback just in case," said Coach Orgeron. "We have a plan in place. I’m not going to say what we’re doing because it would give away our game plan."
While its clear the Tigers are in a rebuilding phase, for the Crimson Tide everything is falling into place. Their offense remains one of the best in the nation, and the defense has made significant improvements over the past few weeks, meaning the Tide looks like a complete team.
"We are not trying to be complacent," said Alabama senior linebacker Dylan Moses. "Our main goal is to play for 60 minutes and play one play at a time. That’s the main thing. And I feel like that’s the difference between our defense now and at the beginning of the season."
As of now, Alabama and LSU are set to square off this Saturday at 5 p.m. in Death Valley.
