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It’s been quite awhile since LSU got the best of Nick Saban. The last time was Nov. 5, 2011, to be exact.
That game ended in overtime; Alabama missed its field goal attempt and LSU’s Drew Alleman converted a 25-yard, game-winner to give the Tigers a 9-6 victory.
To summarize just how much of a defensive struggle it was, neither team reached even 300 yards of total offense. In addition, Alabama was held to under 100 yards rushing (96) while LSU was held to less than 100 yards passing (94).
That was Alabama’s only loss that season, and they haven’t lost to the Tigers since.
That was also the first time that the Alabama-LSU game took place at night during Saban’s tenure as the Tide’s head coach. This upcoming Saturday will mark the eighth consecutive time that it will start at 8 p.m. ET or later, and the numbers for night games have been strongly in Alabama’s favor.
[table “” not found /]The Tide has won six consecutive since that 9-6 overtime loss, including winning a national championship 21-0 in a rematch that same season. The average margin of victory over that time span has been 12.8 points (23.3-10.5).
For the most part, LSU’s defense has managed to limit the Tide’s success on offense, but at the same time, LSU has also been a non-factor offensively.
In those six games, LSU quarterbacks have managed to only complete 52.8 percent of their passes (76-of-144) for 888 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
It should also be noted that 539 of those 888 yards — and two of the touchdowns — came from Zach Mettenberger over a two-year period (2012-13). That means that the four other quarterbacks only threw 349 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions — completing only 41.9 percent of their passes.
Three of those four performances resulted in the passing game not even reaching 100 yards through the air.
The run game hasn’t been much better. Since 2o11, the Tigers have only had one running back go for more than 100 yards rushing against the Tide’s defense — Jeremy Hill ran for 107 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries in 2012.
Despite the offense’s past two starting running backs being in the top two backs chosen in their respective draft classes (Hill at No. 55 overall and Leonard Fournette at No. 4), they’ve only managed to average 2.95 yards per carry against Alabama.
LSU, obviously, isn’t the only team that has struggled since Saban arrived in 2007, but the Tigers have to try to find a way to break the losing streak. For his part, Ed Orgeron already has called Saturday’s game a “must-win.”
After starting this season 3-2 — including a 37-7 blowout loss to Mississippi State and an embarrassing 24-21 loss to Troy — LSU is riding a three-game win streak.
The Tigers have been a middle of the pack SEC team statistically, but they still control their destiny heading into the final stretch of the season.
Alabama, on the other hand, has dominated just about every team that has stood in its way — including outscoring SEC opponents 238-38. They lead the conference is most statistical categories.
If there was a silver lining for the Tigers, it would be that two of their three victories against the Tide have been earned in Tuscaloosa, which is where this Saturday’s game will be played at 8 p.m. ET.
Clint helps cover the SEC West for Saturday Down South. His work can also be found on USA TODAY Sports, The 'Bama Beat podcast and The Bullpen with TonyMac and The Lamb. Previous stops include SEC Country, 247Sports and Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
