Nick Saban vs. Les Miles: Who Won the LSU-Alabama Coaching Battle?

A game that carries the moniker like Game of the Century, certainly comes with some games inside the game storylines to keep an eye on.

One of those was the matchup between the two head coaches, Alabama's Nick Saban and LSU's Les Miles.

Regarded as two of the best, if not the two best coaches in the nation, the two have had their memorable battles in the past and Saturday night was no different.

In LSU's 9-6 win in this instant classic, Miles also got the upper hand on Saban in more way than one.

Even though the scoreboard wouldn't suggest a whole lot of adjusting and gamesmanship on behalf of the head coaches, there was definitely a chess game being played.

One that Miles won.

That started in the first half with the insertion of quarterback Jordan Jefferson into the lineup.

While I'm sure Miles wanted to get Jarrett Lee some more snaps under center, the Tigers were having moderate success early spreading the Tide out defensively and Miles stuck with it.

Really the only success that LSU had early was running the option and after Lee came in and threw his second interception of the game, Miles stuck with Jefferson the rest of the way.  Jefferson rewarded his coach by making just enough plays with his legs to get the win.

Miles was also content with his special teams having a big advantage. He has no problem playing for field goals and punting the football away. He wisely puts close games in the hand of his defense and his punter, Brad Wing, is an absolute weapon. Miles uses him effectively.

Late in the fourth quarter, with LSU pinned deep in their own territory, Miles elected to be conservative on third down and punt the football away. Saban sent Marquis Maze out to field the punt and with his injured ankle couldn't get to the ball.

The result was a 72-yard punt for Wing and a huge change of field position. Chalk another one up for Miles.

Although the biggest impact Miles had in this game may be the reputation he brought into it.

Everyone expected the Mad Hatter to have something up his sleeve for this one, but he ended up out-coaching Saban straight up.

Hands down, the biggest play of the game came when Saban got burned playing the game that Miles has excelled at. Saban went for a gimmick play when Alabama probably didn't need to.

The result was an interception of a pass from Maze at the goal line by Eric Reid that ripped all momentum away from the Crimson Tide.

They never recovered, and the rest is history.

If they get to meet again, maybe we will see a different story, but for now the scoreboard reads 1-0 in favor of Miles.