Alabama and LSU: Previewing The SEC Western Division Championship Game

For the fourth time in five years Alabama and LSU are going to meet in what shall be deemed as the SEC Western Division Championship game.  The two teams feature many similarities.  Both have suffocating defenses and struggling offenses.

First, we'll take a little trip down memory lane.  2005 was the first year this game return to national prominence.  #5 LSU came into Tuscaloosa to face #3 Alabama.  The Tide was riding high at 9-0.  The Tigers only loss was an overtime defeat to Tennessee in a game that LSU had won until a 2nd half collapse.  The first half was all Alabama as they dominated 10-0 behind one of the best defenses in modern SEC history.  The second half Alabama failed to gather any offense behind an offensive line that ranks among one of the worst I have ever seen.  LSU sent the game into overtime and won 16-13. 

In 2007, the 3rd ranked Tigers came into T-Town, where Bama was fresh off a week of rest and a 41-17 pounding of Tennessee.  The 17th ranked Tide got down 17-3, but came back with 24 unanswered points.  LSU stormed back to tie it at 27.  Then, Javier Arenas took a Punt to the House with 8 minutes left to put Bama up 34-27, only for LSU to crush Alabama's SEC title hopes with 2 late touchdowns, one propelled by a John Parker Wilson fumble deep in Alabama territory.

Last year, Alabama came into the showdown on the Bayou as the #1 team in the country, but the Tide faced loads of media criticism.  They went into Tiger Stadium and beat the 16th ranked Tigers 27-21 in another thrilling game.

I fell this years game is going to be just like the previous few.  Both teams are among the most talented in the country.  Since the Alabama redzone offense and LSU's total offense are struggling, this should be an ugly game.  Its going to come down to the defenses, and in the end, Alabama's takes the cake.  The Crimson Tide have only allowed 1 offensive touchdown in their last 3 games.  My prediction is another great game between these two heated rivals.  The coaching and defensive advantages for Alabama are going to be too much in the end.  I think that Mark Ingram will do just enough for Bama's offense to win.

Alabama 10 LSU 9