LSU vs Alabama: The 10 Best Regular Season Games in the Matchup's History

The LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide will face off this weekend in what should become an instant classic. It will be the biggest game of the season and the winner will become the favorite to win the SEC and possibly the National Championship.

These teams have met every year since 1964 and have provided us with some great memories and historic games.

As we get closer to the big game this weekend, it's time we look at the Top 10 games between these two teams.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]

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Nov. 22, 1973: Alabama 21 LSU 7

This was the last time these teams have met that wasn't a Saturday. In fact, in 1973 these two teams went at it on Thanksgiving.

Head coach Bear Bryant led his undefeated Crimson Tide, who where ranked No. 2 in the country. LSU was moving the ball with no problems but only managed to score once, and quarterback Mike Miley threw two interceptions.

Alabama went on to win and play Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, losing 24-23 to the Irish. The AP, which had crowned the Tide as champions beforehand, had to go back and change everything.

Nov. 10, 1979: Alabama 3 LSU 0

Due to the rain, this game was very sloppy and not one to watch if you were a fan of offense.

Alabama did manage to run the ball for 252 yards, but they only got a field goal out of it in the third quarter. LSU suffered more from the stormy weather, as they only racked up 164 total yards and were shut out.

Of course, two Tigers interceptions didn't help the outcome either.

Alabama went on to win the Sugar Bowl over Arkansas, while LSU beat Wake Forest in the Tangerine Bowl.

Nov 12, 2005: LSU 16 Alabama 13

Alabama was undefeated heading into this game and ranked No. 4 in the country with championship dreams. It was also the first season with Les Miles as coach of the LSU Tigers.

LSU rallied back after being down 10 at halftime to tie the game up. The game ended up going into overtime.

Alabama got the ball first, but after a sack on quarterback Brodie Croyle, the Crimson Tide had to settle for a field goal to put them up 13-10. LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell hooked up with wide receiver Dwayne Bowe on a 3rd-and-7 for a touchdown to give the Tigers the thrilling victory.

I guess you could say this is what started the Les Miles magic in Baton Rouge.

Nov. 4, 2000: LSU 30 Alabama 28

LSU hadn't beaten Alabama in Baton Rouge since 1969 until they pulled out a 30-28 victory in 2000.

The game was tied 14-14 heading into the fourth quarter before there was an offensive explosion. The Crimson Tide were the first team to score in the fourth with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Dustin McClintock.

But then LSU went on to score 16 straight points to give the Tigers the victory.

Alabama tried to come back with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Milons, but the damage had been done as there simply wasn't enough time.

The home losing streak was over.

Nov. 6, 1993: LSU 17 Alabama 13

Alabama entered this game as defending National Champions on a 31-game winning streak, but somebody forgot to tell LSU they weren't supposed to win this game. Especially since they were 25-point underdogs.

The game was scoreless in the first half, but the Tigers jumped out to a touchdown lead in the third quarter and never looked back. Alabama tried to come back, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter, but failed to recover the onside kick, allowing LSU to run out the clock.

The Tigers defense deserves a lot of credit as it finished the day with four sacks and four interceptions.

Nov. 8, 2008: Alabama 27 LSU 21

Alabama came into this game undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country with a national championship on their minds. LSU didn't care, as they blocked a field goal in the final seconds to send the game into overtime.

Unfortunately things didn't go so well after that for LSU as Jarrett Lee threw an interception on the third play in overtime. Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson hooked up with receiver Julio Jones for a 23-yard completion and running back Glen Coffee finished the deal with a 1-yard touchdown run. 

The Crimson Tide made it all the way to the SEC Championship Game before losing to Florida and having to settle for the Sugar Bowl, which they also lost to Utah.

Nov. 5, 1988: LSU 19 Alabama 18

Alabama looked like they were going to pull off the upset over LSU as they jumped out to a quick 15-0 lead.

Despite four second-half turnovers, quarterback Tommy Hodson led his Tigers to a 19-18 victory. What made the game even crazier is that Alabama kicker Philip Doyle missed a game-winning 54-yard field goal by inches as time expired.

Nov. 6, 1999: Alabama 23 LSU 17

The Crimson Tide were winning 23-17, but the Tigers were driving down the field and had the ball at the 3-yard line with no timeouts left. Quarterback Josh Booty faked the handoff and rolled right as he saw the end zone within leaping distance.

Booty dove for the game-winning touchdown but was met by Alabama linebacker Marvin Constant, who stopped him short. The Tigers tried to get another play off but it was too late as time expired.

The Crimson Tide barely held on to victory in a nail-biting game.

Nov. 6, 1982: LSU 20 Alabama 10

This 20-10 victory for the LSU Tigers snapped an 11-game winning streak that Alabama had over them. Alabama was ranked No. 8 in the country, but somebody forgot to tell LSU quarterback Alan Risher, who completed 20-26 passes for 182 yards to help contribute to the upset.

Alabama head coach Bear Bryant ended up retiring soon after the loss and ended up dying four weeks later of a heart attack.

Nov. 3, 2007: LSU 41 Alabama 34

You know the No. 1 moment in this rivalry game has to involve Les Miles and his coaching magic.

This was the first season Nick Saban returned to college after leaving LSU for the Miami Dolphins. Although the Tigers had one loss, they were still highly ranked and were in position to make the National Championship Game.

LSU was down 34-27 with less than three minutes when quarterback Matt Flynn hooked up with Early Doucet for a 32-yard touchdown to tie the game. LSU then sacked quarterback John Parker Wilson on a third and long, forcing a fumble. 

That then set up a rushing touchdown by Jacob Hester with a minute remaining to give the Tigers the victory.

LSU later went on to win the SEC title and the national championship.