Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Last year, it appeared the whole world was watching (except for the fans focused on Arkansas and South Carolina) when No. 2 Alabama played host to No. 1 LSU in Tuscaloosa in week 10 of the Southeastern Conference season. Neither team managed a touchdown, but LSU managed to escape with a 9-6 overtime victory, only to lose the 1 vs. 2 rematch in the BCS Championship Game 21-0 in January in New Orleans.

Though 'Bama is No. 1 and LSU is in the top 5, this Saturday night's matchup in Baton Rouge doesn't seem to be generating the incredible buzz of the last regular-season game — to be sure, even Ali-Frazier III didn't have the same impact worldwide that Ali-Frazier I did 40-something years ago — it's still THE game of the day in college football.

So important is it to CBS this time that the network made sure no other SEC game would be played at night. Instead fans have the unusual scheduling of six SEC games kicking off before noon. Georgia and Ole Miss will be featured in the regular CBS time slot at 2:30 p.m. Central (3:30 p.m. in Athens, Ga., where the game will be played), and Alabama and LSU have the night to themselves with a 7 p.m. kickoff in Tiger Stadium.

Arkansas has a brunch-time kickoff with Tulsa at 11:21 a.m. on the SEC Network (KATV, Channel 7 in Little Rock).

Tide, Tigers Focus On Fundamentals
Most observers agree the two most talented teams in the SEC — again — are Alabama and LSU. With the talent nearly evening out — though the Crimson Tide may have the best quarterback and corps of receivers — the game comes down to how those great players perform the basics.

“We talk about this being a technical game,” Les Miles said during Wednesday’s coaches’ teleconference. “We’re working on our technique and the things that make each player better ... There’s no edge to this game. You have to earn everything you get.”

LSU hasn't scored a touchdown in eight quarters against Alabama's defense, yet has split two games with the Tide. However, the way Alabama trampled a 13-0 LSU team on the way to the BCS title last year has stuck in the craw of some members of the team and especially the Tigers faithful. As if LSU needs any reminding, the Tigers couldn't crack midfield in last year's rematch with the now departed (and arrested) Jordan Jefferson at quarterback.

“I recognize that’s a history some guys on our team carry with them,” Miles said. “But that’s a last-year issue. We have a lot of new guys playing on both sides of the ball. This will be a different LSU team and we look forward to playing well.”

Miles informed the media that starting offensive guard Josh Williford was back at practice after missing time for a concussion suffered against Florida on Oct. 6.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban, who coached the Tigers from 2000-2004 and established the style Miles has continued the past eight seasons, raved Wednesday about LSU's stable of running backs. Michael Ford, Spencer Ware and Kenny Hilliard all have experienced on this big of a stage, but it's freshman Jeremy Hill who that stepped up of late for the Tigers with a pair of 100-yard games.

“They’ve played four guys very successfully and in their own ways they’re all very good players,” Saban said. “Physical, tough, fast. I think the quality of all those guys makes it really difficult.”

Miles said the coaches wondered how quickly Hill could make an impact on the LSU offense.