Bowden: Home field key for Bama

It’s finally here. The game that everyone has been talking about since early in the season. No. 1 vs. No. 2. Alabama and LSU.

Our Legends gave us their thoughts on the game.

Vince Dooley:  Well, I’ve had Alabama ahead of LSU the whole time and that, plus the fact that they’re playing in Tuscaloosa gives Alabama a slight edge.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen two teams in the conference as good and as athletic and as physical as Alabama and LSU at the same time.  There have been occasions when I’ve seen one team like that, but not two at the same time.  Of course, LSU hasn’t turned the ball over.  They’ve played very methodical.  LSU seems to be more athletic.  It’s just going to be one of those games.

Gene Stallings:  Well, LSU started off the year playing two quarterbacks and were trying to decide which one and this youngster clearly performed a little bit better in the earlier games and they just went to the one quarterback.  First of all, I think that Alabama is the best football team.  The best football team doesn’t always win, I understand that.  They can run the football and they can stop the run.  And I think that’s the key to the game.  They’re playing in Tuscaloosa and that stadium is extremely loud whether or not that’ll affect anybody.  LSU’s stadium is loud, too.  I think that Alabama has an excellent return game.  They don’t have a very good punter.  They’ve got a good field goal kicker.  If it comes down to beating field goal, I think Alabama’s kicker may be a little bit better than the LSU kicker.  I just think Alabama’s a little bit better.  They’re both good football teams.  If I just had one, I’d take Alabama.

Bobby Bowden:  Well, the only reason I’d pick Alabama is they’re playing at Alabama.  That’s the only judgement I could make of picking either team is, well, I’ll have to go with Tuscaloosa.  If they were playing in Baton Rouge, I’d go with them.

Now, as I look at it, it’s one of those games to me where Alabama better not miss an assignment.  If Bama doesn’t miss an assignment – and that’s the way I’d say he coaches, perfection – if they miss an assignment one of those guys are going to get away and that’s the only way, I believe, LSU can win – somebody getting away.

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