re: Old timers: what were the best LSU-Bama games before the Saban era?

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86 was a defensive battle. Bobby Humphrey fumbled on the goal line late in the game sealing the LSU win. I believed the final was 14-7 so it would have just tied the game.

88 Phillip Doyle missed a FG late in the game that would have won it for Bama.

I think was 95 where Bama won 10-0. We scored a late TD to put it away.

96 is my favorite. Was there in person to witness that one.

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I missed the 95 game but saw the other three. 86 was the only time that I ever went to Legion Field. One of the legendary sites for CFB in its day.

This series has had quite a few games where both sides came away going, "how in the f++k did we win / lose that game?"

Before the Saban era, you have to go back before Bert Jones was the starter for LSU to even find a purple victory in Baton Rouge. About 30 years SEC fans (1969-1999). Oddly, Cholly Mac had some pretty decent teams, but we owned death/deaf valley, and still do.

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'79, Baton Rouge. Driving rain the entire game.
Great defense for both sides.
Bama 3
LSU 0

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I remember listening to this one on radio (don't think it was on TV in Mobile). Was a bit nerve wracking but a 3-0 game in 79 is probably not like the 9-6 game many years later.

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1996

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If I remember correctly, Shaun Alexander was the 3rd string RB and got the start because of injuries. He was unstoppable that night.

My first in-person Bama-LSU game was 10 Nov 84 in Birmingham which LSU won 16-14.

Played in that game , after game the Bear announced his retirement . I hated that field , hard as a rock .

68-70; 82-89; 98-2011.

1/9/12 crushed everyone for a lot of reasons. Granted the two best teams played, but it was obvious from the day it was announced the both the team and fanbase had no motivation for the rematch. College football fans had been told for a century that the college season is special and every game is important. Evidently beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 2011 meant nothing. Last year healed that wound, but it is not forgotten.

Love this game , regardless of the outcome. Love the Alabama fans and the way they approach this game. Both sides appreciate the magnitude. Both will talk trash in this board and to each other , but will chew their nails to the nun with concern over the outcome until he final tick. Both have the skins on the wall, in conference and out of conference to justify their confidence. We both know it won’t be a Georgia type game , where one side can never back up their trash talk with actual relevant wins.