LSU vs. Alabama: 10 Best Games in the Rivalry's History

While no game in the history of the LSU-Alabama rivalry has matched the hype and the buildup of Saturday night's showdown between the No.1 Tigers and No. 2 Crimson Tide, the two storied programs have had countless battles with division, conference and national titles at stake. 

Some of the most legendary names in college football have played or coached in either Baton Rouge or Tuscaloosa, and Nick Saban has directed national-title winners at both football-crazed universities.

As this year's "Game of the Century" in Bryant-Denny Stadium approaches, here's a look at the 10 most memorable games between two schools that have combined to win 16 national championships overall, including three of the past eight.

No. 10: November 6, 2010: LSU 24, Alabama 21

With both teams still having an outside chance at the SEC and national titles, No. 6 Alabama traveled to Baton Rouge to face No. 10 LSU. Mark Ingram's five-yard touchdown run put the Tide ahead 14-10 late in the third quarter.

With LSU trailing 14-13 and within field goal range early in the fourth quarter, Les Miles gambled on fourth down, running a reverse that led to the go-ahead touchdown. 

After Alabama cut the lead to 24-21 with under four minutes to play, Jarrett Lee found Rueben Randle for 47 yards for a huge third-down conversion that allowed the Tigers to run out the clock.  LSU beat former coach Nick Saban in Baton Rouge for the first time.

No. 9: November 7, 1998: Alabama 22, LSU 16

Looking to end a 29-year drought since their last home win over Alabama, the 4-4 Tigers jumped to a 16-7 lead over the 5-3 Crimson Tide late in the fourth quarter. Faced with a seemingly insurmountable two-score deficit in Tiger Stadium, freshman quarterback Andrew Zow played a masterful final five minutes to rally the Tide.

Zow cut the lead to 16-14 with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Shaun Alexander.  After Alabama recovered an onside kick, Zow drove the Tide into LSU territory and found Quincy Jackson from 25 yards out with 34 seconds left.  A two-point conversion made the final score 22-16.

No. 8: November 7, 1964: Alabama 17, LSU 9

The two schools did not play annually until 1964, when No. 8 LSU traveled to Legion Field to face No. 3 Alabama. It was the first meeting between legendary coaches Bear Bryant and Charlie McClendon.

Led by Joe Namath, the Tide struggled to generate much offense, but the Alabama defense shut down the Bayou Bengals.  Alabama would win their first of five straight over the Tigers, holding LSU to under 10 points in all five games.  The season would culminate with a national title for the Crimson Tide.

No. 7: November 6, 1999: Alabama 23, LSU 17

Gerry DiNardo's final season in Baton Rouge was filled with disappointing losses, none more so than in a trip to Alabama. As expected, the 6-2 Crimson Tide dominated early, jumping to a 23-7 lead. Josh Booty brought LSU to within 23-17 midway through the fourth quarter.

The Tigers got new life after a missed Alabama field goal, and Booty drove the Tigers to the one-yard line with 21 seconds left. Out of timeouts, Booty inexplicably tried to run the ball in on a rollout play and was stopped short of the goal line.  Time ran out, and the Tide held on for the narrow victory. LSU would not lose again in Tuscaloosa until 2009.

No. 6: November 7, 2009: Alabama 24, LSU 15

Third-ranked Alabama hosted ninth-ranked LSU, with the only previous loss by either team coming when No. 1 Florida had defeated LSU four weeks earlier. In one of the most hard-hitting games of the season, the Tigers lost running back Charles Scott to a season-ending injury.

The Tide took over deep in their own territory with 11 minutes remaining, trailing 15-13.  Greg McElroy threw a screen pass to Julio Jones, who then ran 73 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. On their next possession, an apparent LSU interception was ruled an incomplete pass, and Alabama clinched the game with a field goal to take a 24-15 lead.

No. 5: November 5, 1988: LSU 19, Alabama 18

No. 18 LSU visited No. 13 Alabama in a key SEC showdown. In front of a nationwide audience on CBS, the Tide appeared to be in command after taking a 15-0 lead. But just weeks after a home win over Auburn caused a roar in Tiger Stadium so loud that it registered as an earthquake, the Tigers staged another second-half rally.

After LSU pulled to within 15-10, Tommy Hodson connected with Tony Moss for a 48-yard touchdown and a 16-15 lead.  The Tide went back ahead with a field goal, but Hodson came through in the clutch again, driving LSU deep into Alabama territory, leading to David Browndyke's game-winning 34-yard field goal with 28 seconds left. Alabama's last-second 54-yard field goal attempt came up short.

No. 4: November 8, 2008: Alabama 27, LSU 21 (OT)

The hype was immense for the 2008 meeting, as Nick Saban would return to Baton Rouge as the Alabama coach for the first time, bringing the top-ranked Crimson Tide into Tiger Stadium. 

Alabama had a chance to win the back-and-forth game in regulation, but Leigh Tiffin's last-second field goal was blocked.

The interception bug had been biting Jarrett Lee all season, and it struck again in overtime, as Rashad Johnson intercepted a Lee pass in the end zone. Alabama worked its way to the brink of the end zone, and John Parker Wilson's quarterback sneak provided the winning margin, as the Tide escaped with a 27-21 win.

No. 3: November 6, 1993: LSU 17, Alabama 13

It was a foregone conclusion that the 3-5 Tigers had no chance of going to Alabama and upsetting the Crimson Tide, who had not lost in almost two years. LSU coach Curley Hallman had other ideas, and the 25-point underdogs jumped to a 14-0 lead.

Alabama rallied to pull within 17-13, but a late onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, and LSU ran out the clock. 

The Tigers' defense was masterful, sacking Alabama quarterback Brian Burgdorf, playing for the injured Jay Barker, four times and intercepting four passes. The Mobile Press-Register had predicted that pigs would fly if Alabama lost.

No. 2: November 12, 2005: LSU 16, Alabama 13 (OT)

Alabama won their first nine games in 2005 behind a great defense led by linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Despite playing in the SEC, they were only ranked fourth in the polls, due to a number of close victories. LSU came into Bryant-Denny Stadium ranked fifth, having only lost in overtime to Tennessee.

The Crimson Tide started strong, leading 10-0 at halftime. The Tigers tied the game in the third quarter, and the fourth quarter came and went without a score from either team. 

Alabama got a 34-yard field goal in overtime, but JaMarcus Russell found Dwayne Bowe from 11 yards out to give LSU a comeback victory, 16-13.

No. 1: November 3, 2007: LSU 41, Alabama 34

The SEC West lead was at stake as both LSU and Alabama came into the game at 4-1 in conference play. It would be Alabama coach Nick Saban's first game against the school he had led to the national title just four years earlier.

Alabama quickly erased an early 17-3 LSU lead, rallying to take a 20-17 lead at halftime. With the game tied at 27-27 midway through the fourth quarter, Javier Arenas returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown to put the Crimson Tide back in front. 

LSU converted a big fourth down on the ensuing drive, tying the game on Early Doucet's 32-yard touchdown catch. Chad Jones forced a John Parker Wilson fumble a minute later, and Jacob Hester put the Tigers ahead with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:26 left.

Alabama's last gasp would end with a turnover on downs.