Nick Saban addresses Alabama revenge narrative, LSU's disrespect in 2019

It’s been two years since Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide played host to LSU, the school at which Saban used to coach. But the outcome of that last game is still fresh on the minds of Alabama players.

Back in 2019, Vegas tabbed No. 2 LSU as an underdog on the road at No. 3 Alabama, but the Crimson Tide were no match for LSU’s high-powered, national championship-winning offense. Joe Burrow threw for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns en route to winning the Heisman Trophy; Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for 100 yards and three scores of his own and LSU got the last laugh, winning 46-41. But what Saban and his Alabama team remembers is far worse than just a loss. They remember Ed Orgeron’s explicit postgame speech, delivered in the visiting locker room at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and they’re ready to exact revenge.

“The players are aware of that,” Saban said Saturday on College GameDay. “It’s on YouTube all the time, you can see what happened after the game.”

The narrative in 2021, however, is much different than in 2019. Two years, one global pandemic and a dramatic fall from grace later, Orgeron is on his way out at LSU. The Tigers have rotted to the tune of a .500 record in the 18 games since winning the title, and Saban’s Alabama team has one last chance to beat Orgeron before his dismissal.

Alabama, ranked No. 3 in the AP poll and No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings, is favored by 28.5 points. On Saturday, however, the Crimson Tide are playing for far more than just revenge, and Saban acknowledged that. While LSU is playing for eligibility in a meaningless bowl game, Alabama is playing for College Football Playoff consideration. A win today would help Alabama’s chances at gracing the top four come season’s end; a loss, on the other hand, would spoil Alabama’s chances at being considered.

This is a legacy game, according to Saban. The revenge narrative? It’s there. But it’s merely a subplot in a game that could hold heavy postseason implications for Alabama.

“I think the reason that you want to play this game is what’s on the line for us. Your legacy as a team lies in the balance of the season,” Saban said. “So how much does that mean to you? What’s the game mean to you? Each and every game that you play and what are you willing to sacrifice in preparation and work ethic to get to where you can be your best as a football player at this time of the year, which is the most important time of the year, once you put yourself in a position which we have.”