LSU vs Alabama: The 10 Best Things About This Rivalry

According to dictionary.com, prestige is defined as "reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes."

That perfectly describes these two programs, which have enjoyed just as much success in their history as any other program in college football.

Over the past five years, including this upcoming game, both of these teams have been ranked in the top 17 in the country when they have played each other. In fact, at least one of the teams have been ranked in the top five in the country when these teams have played over the past five years.

This has been the best game in college football over the past couple of years. That will certainly be the case again when these two teams meet next Saturday.

Get your popcorn ready.

10. Reputation

Both of these schools have developed a reputation of being two of the top programs in the country.

Because of the SEC's success over the past decade, people have become well aware that this is the top conference in the country. And when you break it down, these are the top two teams.

Auburn had its run last year. Florida had its runs during the Tebow-Chris Leak era. But the most consistently dominant teams over the past couple of years have been LSU and Alabama.

Everyone knows that when it comes to college football's top programs, this is where it starts.

9. High Demand

Over the past decade, the LSU vs. Alabama game has generated more ticket requests than any other game these two teams play.

This was the case even before Nick Saban came to Alabama and the Tide began to really restore their dominance in the college football world.

It was reported that in Saban's first year, LSU had over 30,000 ticket requests for this game.

It wouldn't be surprising to see even more of a high demand for this hyped-up game.

8. It's Just so Even

Name one other college football rivalry that has resulted in five ties.

I bet you can't.

These two teams have been so evenly matched over the past couple of years that the games have resulted in five ties: 1921, 1927, 1944, 1953 and 1985.

The past six games have been decided by a total of 42 points, an average of seven points per game.

Now that is close.

7. Defense, Defense, Defense

When you think of Alabama and LSU, the first thing that has to come to mind is defense.

But this year brings a whole new meaning to that.

There isn't a question that LSU and Alabama are the two best defenses in the SEC, and possibly the entire country. Both of these defenses feature NFL-caliber secondaries and dominant defensive lines.

In over 100 years of this rivalry's existence, the highest scoring game between these two teams was when LSU beat Alabama 41-34 back in 2007. A combined total of 75 points.

That's what some teams put up alone in games this year.

If you like hard-nosed football, it really doesn't get any better than this.

6. History

This rivalry matchup between LSU and Alabama originated all the way back in 1895, and it has been a great one ever since.

Overall, Alabama leads the series 45-24-2, but if you look at the history over the past 20 years, the two teams are even at 10 wins apiece.

One interesting fact with the history is that the home team struggled for long periods of time during this rivalry. From 1971-1999, LSU did not win a game in the series, going 0-14-1 in Baton Rouge.

On the other end, the same went for Alabama from 1982 until 2007, when the Tide went 3-10 in the state of Alabama.

The history is rich between these two powerhouse programs.

5. Coaching

When it comes to coaching, it is hard to find two better coaches in the country than Les Miles and Nick Saban.

Miles has a combined 98-38 record as a head coach, including leading the Tigers to that memorable National Championship in 2007.

Saban, on the other hand, sports a 142-53-1 record as a head coach, including two National Championships in 2003 and 2009, the first of which came as LSU's head coach.

You can't get any better than this.

4. The Fans

We have all heard about how wild and crazy fans can get during these heated SEC contests.

But can you imagine how wild it gets in this rivalry matchup?

These are traditionally known as some of the most spirited and well-traveled fans in all of college football, so when these two teams get together, it means business.

3. Team Identity

When it comes to these two teams' identities, it is pretty simple.

On offense, they pound the rock early and often. On defense, they blitz heavily and rely on their talented secondaries.

These teams are nearly mirror images of each other, which should make it interesting to see what separates them when they meet next Saturday.

Perhaps the X-factor could be the quarterbacks, but even they are alike...

2. Saban Bowl

As intense as this rivalry has been, it took on even larger meaning in 2007 when Alabama hired Nick Saban as its head coach. Saban had previously coached at LSU and led the Tigers to the National Championship in 2003 before bolting for the NFL.

After the hiring, this rivalry officially became known as the "Saban Bowl."

Since Saban went to Alabama, the teams have split the series 4-4, including when LSU beat Alabama in a memorable 24-21 game in their last match-up.

1. Prestige

According to dictionary.com, prestige is defined as "reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes."

That perfectly describes these two programs, which have enjoyed just as much success in their history as any other program in college football.

Over the past five years, including this upcoming game, both of these teams have been ranked in the top 17 in the country when they have played each other. In fact, at least one of the teams have been ranked in the top five in the country when these teams have played over the past five years.

This has been the best game in college football over the past couple of years. That will certainly be the case again when these two teams meet next Saturday.

Get your popcorn ready.