LSU vs. Alabama: Alabama Still SEC's Premiere Program Despite Loss to LSU

LSU may have beaten the Tide 9-6 Saturday while jumping to the forefront of the SEC West all by its lonesome, but Alabama still has a claim as the SEC's top program.

Some may argue a trendy destiny is in place, after the Tigers claimed National Titles in 2003 and 2007, but there is still football to be played.

Others may point to the Tigers' two-game winning streak over Alabama as their claim to the SEC's top dog.

All of that is grand, and though the two programs may boast similar records since 2007, since the season Saban took over in Tuscaloosa the Tide has been a model of consistency, especially defensively (and we all know that defense wins championships).

From 2007 to 2010, Alabama has compiled a 43-11 record and has had total defenses ranked 31st, third, second and fifth and scoring defenses rated 27th, seventh, second and third.

During the same span, LSU has put up a 40-13 record with total defenses of third, 32nd, 36th and 12th, with scoring defenses of 17th, 56th, 11th and 11th.

Alabama has been a a brand name with a steady following. LSU is that trendy pick, for now.

An Offensive Look

The Crimson Tide has boasted a much stouter defense in recent years, but offensively, Alabama has progressed every subsequent season while LSU has been all over the map.

When Saban took over in 2007, the Tide finished that season ranked 75th in total offense and 64th and scoring offense, hardly numbers to write home about. But in 2010, those ranks have climbed to 22nd and 18th respectively and have held steady going into 2011.

LSU, meanwhile, has done almost the opposite.

The 2007 and 2008 campaigns saw the Tigers finish in the Top 30 in total offense and Top 20 in scoring offense.

But in 2009, LSU ranked 112nd and 76th in total and scoring offense respectively. In 2010, the Tigers came in 86th and 45th.

Let's be real. LSU has hardly been remembered for great offenses or clock management. On the contrary, Alabama has consistently been at the vanguard of college football's most dominating, physical presences, be it on offense or defense.

Saban has constructed a winning program that always ranks among the best in college football. Although LSU has had a fantastic run of late, Les Miles does not exactly emit that same influence in Baton Rouge.

Making Sense of it All

Make no mistake. LSU is a great football team this season. Alabama is a great football team this season.

The "Game of the Century" on Saturday was an epic defensive battle with three too many miscues on Alabama's special teams. Although LSU boasts that two-game winning streak over Alabama, both were three-point victories, results that have no business lifting LSU as the conference's top program.

Should the Tigers go on to hoist the Coaches' Trophy on Jan. 9, they may enter the conversation.

But for now, Alabama still has the biggest claim as the SEC's best.