Saturday afternoon, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide will go on the field to defend their number 1 ranking for the first time since 1980.  Yes, Alabama finished the 1992 season as the consensus number 1 but never played a game with that ranking during that time. 

I've noticed a lot of people in the media seem to think that Alabama is a weak number 1.  It's sort of a bitter irony.  This happens just about every time Alabama is ever ranked highly in the polls.  Somehow the same media who calls them a weak top team still vote them highly in the rankings as long as they keep winning no matter how close the margin.  These same people in the media seem to think that the Crimson Tide will go down to Baton Rouge this weekend and lose.  I think these media elites may need to be brought back down to earth.

First, there is the fact that LSU has really only played two tough teams in Florida and Georgia.  They lost both of those games by wide margins.  They dropped the game to the Gators 51-21.  Recently they were beaten at home, by Georgia 52-38.  Alabama defeated Georgia on their own turf quite easily earlier this season.  Florida dropped a game, at home I might add, to the Ole Miss Rebels, whom the Tide also handled.

Second, Les Miles is a joke of a coach.  Everyone in the college football world knows it.  He's managed to win at LSU much in the same way as Larry Coker did in the early part of his tenure at Miami.  Last year, the last group of Saban's recruits left LSU.  Now, Miles is forced to play with his guys.  His lackluster play calling in the past has been over shadowed by the talent he's had on his squads.  That is no longer the case.  Les Miles now has to face the music.  While his job isn't on the line, this season, it will surely be a sign of things to come. 

Third, I'd like to point out the fact that Alabama's defense is one of the best units in the nation.  In all 9 of their games this year, they've only trailed once all season.  That was to Ole Miss in the first quarter and lasted just 75 seconds.  They have led their opponents all season.  Sure, some teams have had some good comebacks against them, but all have fallen short so far.

I don't know if Alabama has what it takes to run the table.  They are starting 16 true freshmen from that number 1 recruiting class.  They don't have the depth that these other teams have thanks to the NCAA sanctions and recovering from those years.  They have had some things go their way this season without doubt.  Good defense, good ball carrying, and a little luck have gone a long way in helping the Tide get out to 9-0.  That being the case, they are not a joke.  They are the number 1 team in the nation because they earned it.  Don't be so quick to dismiss them against an inferior coach who hasn't been able to get it done this year against the tough competition. 

Alabama is for real and they will prove that to the nation Saturday afternoon.

Kickoff: 2:30 PM CST, Baton Rouge, LA

All-Time Record: Alabama leads the series 43-23-5, Alabama leads in Baton Rouge 24-8-2.