Since the beginning of the college football season, experts, players from both teams, coaches, and college football fans circled the November 9th date on their calendars. This marked the date LSU (Louisiana State University) and Alabama Crimson Tide would meet in what many anticipated to be an epic battle. A casual viewer may ask the question, why all the hype? Why are so many experts and fans looking forward to a matchup in which Alabama has dominated? These are legitimate questions due to the fact LSU hasn’t beaten Alabama in football since November of 2011. The reason the experts and fans from both sides put special emphasis on this game is due to the fact unlike previous years, this particular year the LSU team has a new weapon.Â
Led by quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Joe Burrow, LSU features a new passing attack. In the past 7 matchups, Alabama incorporated the same blueprint. They would crowd the line of scrimmage to stop the run, and dare LSU to throw the ball. The strategy worked 7 straight times courtesy of LSU’s passing game being non-existent. This year’s matchup was intriguing because of LSU’s new air attack. Joe Burrow came into the game labeled as a quarterback who could make all of the throws. He brings an element LSU lacked the previous encounters.
 In addition to executing a passing game, the LSU Tigers faced another obstacle. The obstacle of beating Nick Saban, Alabama’s iconic head coach. Nick Saban coached at LSU from 2000-2004. He led LSU to a BCS National Championship victory during the 2003 season. Saban left LSU in 2004 to coach in the NFL. After a frustrating experience as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Nick Saban returned to college football in 2007 as he became the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. During his tenure with Alabama, Saban has delivered five National Championships in an 11-year span.
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron embraces quarterback Joe Burrow (9) after defeating Alabama 46-41 in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron was hired in 2015 to beat Nick Saban and win a National Championship. Coming into the 2019 matchup, Orgeron loss all of the previous encounters versus Saban and Alabama. The November 9th battle featured two undefeated teams and two quarterbacks who are Heisman Trophy candidates. Joe Burrow of LSU and Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama were ready to take the national stage in front of a stadium crowd of 101,821. Donald Trump and his wife Melania were in attendance for the game of the year. Both teams featured multiple offensive and defensive players who are of NFL caliber. LSU with the assistance of two Alabama turnovers jumped out and took control of the game. The Tigers went into halftime with a commanding 33-13 lead. Showing the heart of a champion, the Crimson Tide came roaring back to narrow the lead to 39-34 late in the game. With the passing of Joe Burrow and the running and catching of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the Tigers were able to secure a 46-41 victory.
The LSU Tigers finally got their vindication and the number 1 ranking in college football. The victory over Alabama was an exciting accomplishment for the players and the Tigers fanbase. The LSU triumph has initiated the reboot of this high profile rivalry.
