Alabama Football: Ranking the 5 best Tide vs LSU football games
By Mike Parham
No. 1 – November 3, 2012 (Tiger Stadium)
Finally, we get to the best Alabama football versus LSU football game. This was a pressure-filled game that had a lot riding on it. A leg up in the SEC West, possible number one ranking, and of course bragging rights.
In the first quarter, it seemed as if it was going to be a replay of the 2011 Bama-LSU game with little scoring. LSU scored the only points of the quarter with a 38-yard field goal with 6:11 remaining.
However, in the second quarter, Alabama’s offense woke up. Eddie Lacy rushed for a 7-yard touchdown with 8:17 remaining and AJ McCarron rushed for a 9-yard touchdown right before halftime.
In the third quarter, it was a complete role reversal for Alabama and LSU. The Tide were sluggish and the Tigers came out as the aggressors on offense.
Alabama wasn’t able to put up any points in the third, while LSU’s Jeremy Hill rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to cut into the Tide’s lead.
After a fumble by T.J. Yeldon on the LSU 10, LSU was able to use that momentum for a 90-yard touchdown drive to capture the lead.
From there, neither team was able to effectively move the ball against the other’s defense. That was until what Alabama fans know as “The Drive”, happened.
Down 17-14 with 1:27 remaining in the fourth quarter, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron was ready to get to work:
"“I just love moments like that. I like having the ball in pressure situations. When you’ve got teammates like I have, it makes your job easy.”"
He completed three straight passes to receiver Kevin Norwood for 18, 15, and 11 yards. His next pass was an incompletion to Norwood with one-minute remaining.
On the very next play, McCarron threw a screen pass to T.J. Yeldon, who had a convoy ahead of him. Yeldon took the screen pass 28-yards for the touchdown with only 51 seconds remaining.
LSU, possibly still stunned, wasn’t able to move the ball and time expired following a Damion Square sack. “The Drive” cemented McCarron’s legacy and will definitely stick with Nick Saban as well:
"“I’m really, really pleased with that last drive, that’s something I’ll never forget.”"
Final Score: Alabama 21 LSU 17
Next: Little known facts in the quirky history of Alabama football and LSU
These are obviously games that I personally believe are the best. So, feel free to connect with us on Facebook and share your own personal top-5 Alabama-LSU games.