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LSU, Alabama rested for SEC West clash, Saban reunion

Nov 3, 2007 - 10:44 AM No. 3 LSU (7-1) at No. 17 Alabama (6-2) 5:00 pm EDT

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (Ticker) -- Neither Louisiana State coach Les Miles nor Alabama counterpart Nick Saban - the Tigers' former coach - will be able to claim his team is too tired this weekend.

Miles' third-ranked Tigers and Saban's No. 17 Crimson Tide both will be well-rested when they meet for first place in the Southeastern Conference West Division on Saturday.

Both LSU (7-1, 4-1 SEC West) and Alabama (6-2, 4-1) are coming off a bye week heading into this all-important clash, which pits Saban's current and former teams.

Saban, who coached the Tigers from 2000-04, guided LSU to the 2003 national title before leaving to take the Miami Dolphins job, a position he held for just two years before returning to the college ranks with the Tigers' division rival.

The Tigers have not played since rallying past West rival Auburn, 30-24, on October 20. Matt Flynn threw a 22-yard touchdown to Demetrius Byrd with one second left for LSU, which trailed by 10 points at halftime.

The Crimson Tide also last played on October 20, when they crushed Tennessee, 41-17.

John Parker Wilson threw for a career-high 363 yards and three touchdowns and D.J. Hall had a school-record 13 catches for 185 yards and two scores for Alabama, which trailed 14-10 in the second quarter before pulling away.

LSU has won four straight in the series since a 31-0 setback in Baton Rouge in 2002.