LIVE: Alabama vs. LSU for division… and SEC, and BCS
It's time to weigh in with your predictions. Here's mine: Alabama 20, LSU 16.
Nick Saban looks a lot shorter on TV.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — I’m quite certain there’s drinking going on here.
I heard something crazy like 30,000 LSU fans made the five-hour-plus drive from Baton Rouge to Tuscaloosa for the LSU-Alabama game, even though most of them don’t have tickets. Given the number of people I saw out there tailgating, I’m guessing a lot of Bama fans are here just for the scene — and the beverages — as well.
Welcome to the game of the week, the month, the season, the millennium — whatever you want to call it. It won’t get any better than Alabama vs. LSU or Nick Saban vs. Les Miles the rest of the season, nor probably even at bowl time. It’s difficult to imagine even the BCS title game living up to the buildup or the match-up.
These are the two best teams in the nation. By the end of the night, we might still believe they’re the two best teams in the nation (notwithstanding the fact that the loser will have one more defeat thank Oklahoma State,
If anybody lights a match, downtown will blow up.
Stanford and Boise State). Tonight’s winner will win the SEC West and likely be the favorites to win the conference and BCS championship games.
As I wrote in an earlier blog, it’s unfortunate that the two best teams play not only in the same conference (SEC) but the same division (West), which is why Alabama and LSU are meeting in November instead of January. And I doubt there will be a series of events that leads to a bowl rematch because I don’t think
As it turns out, one or two people decided to tailgate.
voters in the human polls will let that happen.
There’s not much left to say about the game. But here are a few things to thing about:
– Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron doesn’t get a ton of publicity. But given that games like this often are decided by a turnover, it’s worth noting he recently went 152 straight pass attempts (over six games) without an interception. He also has completed over 68 percent of his passes on third-and-long. I bring that up because . . .
This guy either lost a bet or is color blind.
– These are the two best defenses in the nation, so chances quarterbacks from both teams will face a number of third-and-long situations. In SEC games, Alabama is No. 1 in the conference with a 55.9 third-down conversion rate and LSU is third at 41.7.
– Of all the statistics that these two teams have put up this season, these two jump out at me most: 1) LSU has trailed only 6 minutes and 33 seconds all season; 2) Neither of these teams has trailed after any quarter all season.
Both of those stats will change tonight.
That’s it for now. I’ve posted a few photos to give you a feel for the atmosphere. I’ll be here blogging live until I have to start serving the print master. And now, I turn it over to you.
By Jeff Schultz
• Earlier: Weekend Predictions: Guaranteed winners (I’m serious this time)
• Earlier: Alabama-LSU have what everybody else wants — a great coach
• Earlier: Collapse of Hawks’ sale is just one more Spirit nightmare
Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).
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650 comments Add your comment
katherine
November 5th, 2011
7:57 pm
well that was a nice td
Alybammy Sammy
November 5th, 2011
7:57 pm
Ah mat be frum Alalabam but the Cajun’s gonna romp and stomp tonight, I declare! Tide won’t know what hit ‘em by the 4th quarter.
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
7:57 pm
Damn that was FAST
katherine
November 5th, 2011
7:59 pm
how embarrassing for you sammy…..no one talks like that and isnt that the pot calling the kettle black? Someone from Louisiana making fun of an accent lol
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:00 pm
So TODD is in Arkansas and he eats CHICKEN. LOL
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:02 pm
Tony B picks BAMA who would have guessed?
45ACP
November 5th, 2011
8:02 pm
Lets go Hogs!!! Man I hate to say that…
katherine
November 5th, 2011
8:04 pm
im taking bama
ARdawg
November 5th, 2011
8:05 pm
5150
No matter, the SEC has tie in’s to 3 other NY’s bowls
J.J.M.
November 5th, 2011
8:05 pm
anybody drunk yet
ARdawg
November 5th, 2011
8:05 pm
Whoever plays in them will likely deserve to
katherine
November 5th, 2011
8:06 pm
nope are you jjm?
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
November 5th, 2011
8:08 pm
The question Gary and Verne should ask: What did Saban do about Richardson and McCarron driving late model tricked out Tahoes valued at $40K.
J.J.M.
November 5th, 2011
8:09 pm
nope not me
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2011
8:09 pm
Sorry, slightly off topic: I just saw boxscore. Georgia scored 42 points in second quarter? Didn’t even know that was possible.
J.J.M.
November 5th, 2011
8:09 pm
im waiting for me 1800 jello shots in the fridge!
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:10 pm
Inquiring Minds Want to Know………………………Who cares? Are they going to drive those car on the field for TD’s tonight?
D@mn Good Dawg Fan
November 5th, 2011
8:10 pm
PIG SUUUUUUUEEEEEEEY!!!!! And Bama 17-13
ARdawg
November 5th, 2011
8:11 pm
Schultz, it could have been 49 but I ain’t b!tcerrr complaining
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:11 pm
Pick 6 for USC. gret Play. Stupid QB.
Honor is Due
November 5th, 2011
8:11 pm
lizziebeth
November 5th, 2011
7:42 pm
OMG…they have a statue of Saban already? He’s only been there 5 minutes. What an insult to Bear Bryant. Saban hasn’t proven a thing yet. He hasn’t earned a legacy. Also, he has ZERO character and Bryant was a man of character to the nth degree. What an embarrassment.
Well Saban got Trent Richardson and McCarron late model Tahoes valued at $40K per car. Julio Jones used to roll in a similar fashion. So Saban has proven he knows how to cheat.
DrJEFF
November 5th, 2011
8:12 pm
Lsu 42 Bama 38
Live: Updates as No. 1 LSU clashes with No. 2 Alabama – USA Today (blog) | eLive Sport
November 5th, 2011
8:13 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2011
8:13 pm
I can barely make out the smoke rising off of Saban’s head from the press box.
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:13 pm
One SEC teams fan complaining about another SEC team cheating is too Freaking Funny. In case you don’t know All the SEC teams CHEAT except for maybe VANDY.
Inquiring Minds Want To Know
November 5th, 2011
8:13 pm
5150 UOAD stool. Well you were so concerned over a UGA’s integrity when Crowell was suspended for blazing. So you don’t care if AL is so blatant in their cheating?
ARdawg
November 5th, 2011
8:14 pm
I wouldn’t comment on what any Alum may do but, as far as Saban, he doesn’t have to honor cash or presents. They are lining up to play for him for free
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2011
8:15 pm
If LSU defense wanted to quiet crowd early, the plan failed.
Delbert D.
November 5th, 2011
8:16 pm
#1 Bowl Championship Series. The winner of the SEC Championship Game gains an automatic berth to a BCS bowl game, preferentially the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
#2 The Capital One Bowl must select the team with the best overall record among non-BCS playing SEC teams, or a team within one game of the best record.
Inquiring Minds Want To Know
November 5th, 2011
8:16 pm
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:13 pm
One SEC teams fan complaining about another SEC team cheating is too
Funny talk. Prove a single player from UGA is driving a tricked out late model Tahoe, and a different one every couple of weeks. It is documented in the state/county records that Richardson, his mom and McCarron received traffic tickets in different late model cars that were registered to them.
Unless you have proof, you should STFU.
TrueCrimson
November 5th, 2011
8:16 pm
Roll Tide!!!
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:17 pm
Inquiring Minds Want To Know………………My team doesn’t have to Play Bama. Hell UGA doesn’t even have Bama on the schedule. Why are you so mad? Is it because UGA didn’t cheat good enough to win a MNC?
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2011
8:19 pm
Long way to go for nothing. LSU takes over at own 27.
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:20 pm
Inquiring Minds Want To Know………………UGA players just drive without Licenses or Insurance. HAHAHAHA that is worse because it is Breaking the LAW.
TrueCrimson
November 5th, 2011
8:21 pm
Football is a journey, not a destination.
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2011
8:22 pm
Thank you, Grasshopper.
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:26 pm
QB change? This is just odd for a change of pace so early in this game.
All Saints
November 5th, 2011
8:29 pm
Just a reminder that we’ll be having our regular tribute and moment of silence next Saturday for Saint Jan Kemp, the courageous martyr who exposed UGA and Vince Dooley’s “remedial studies” fraud. Mark Richt keeps the scam going even today, almost thirty years later.
Please approach this special moment with reverence as we honor her sacred name.
wretched06
November 5th, 2011
8:30 pm
I see why people have a problem with you. You work in Georgia and the ajc sends you to Bama. Wow. Why dont you get smart with Saban like you do with the hometeam coaches?
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2011
8:31 pm
Obviously a little mixup there.
TrueCrimson
November 5th, 2011
8:31 pm
Boom!
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2011
8:31 pm
Lee got popped on that.
country boy
November 5th, 2011
8:32 pm
Hello Jeffy boy ! Forget Steve’s comment about your job. You are a moron writer that us moron readers can identify with.
TrueCrimson
November 5th, 2011
8:32 pm
Both teams have played well thus far.
Delbert D.
November 5th, 2011
8:33 pm
I wonder if the Miami Herald is blogging this game live.
katherine
November 5th, 2011
8:33 pm
all saints….you are an epic fail……why don’t you worry about your own team.
5150 UOAD
November 5th, 2011
8:33 pm
What a BS call of running into the kicker to give ArkieSaw a 1stdown.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 5th, 2011
8:33 pm
Saw your tweet, disregarded, am now to drunk.
TrueCrimson
November 5th, 2011
8:34 pm
Good one Delbert D.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 5th, 2011
8:34 pm
did set my clock back…to B.C..