Bama, LSU putting it all on the line

It has come to this. Again.

LSU and Alabama. Alabama and LSU. Doesn't matter how you phrase it, this is the game now on the schedule.

Some of my brethren waxed poetic recently about the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry. True, no series in the SEC has more history. In a few weeks, we'll flip the automatic switch and start fawning about Iron Bowl games from way back when. Yet that contest hasn't really been important on both sides nationally in years.

However, on the western side of the Southeastern Conference, Alabama and LSU are the two heavyweights — Ali and Frazier. For you non-boxing fans, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier met three times for the heavyweight title. The first, in 1971, was billed as the "Fight of the Century" at Madison Square Garden. Frazier handed Ali his first defeat as a professional, thwarting his riveting comeback after having the title stripped because of draft evasion.

The second fight was less memorable, with Ali beating Frazier, setting up arguably the most unforgettable fight in sports history — the Thrilla in Manila — won by Ali. Unfortunately, the damage both fighters received in this brutal brawl haunts the two men today.

Which brings us to back to LSU-Alabama. Les Miles vs. Nick Saban. The first encounter in 2007 was eagerly anticipated for obvious reasons and won by the eventual national champ, LSU, 41-34. In the rematch last year, with another national championship shot hanging in the balance, Saban won an overtime thriller in Tiger Stadium.

So here we go again. What's on the line?

How about everything.

While LSU has somehow, almost inexplicably, stayed alive with a 7-1 record and No. 9 ranking (with the only blemish being a 13-3 loss to No. 1 Florida), Alabama has sputtered into this game, albeit with a perfect record, and a fan base teetering with high anxiety.

Part of the problem has been the lackluster play of the offense. Another fact, in case anyone has noticed, is that Alabama's biggest wins of the season have suddenly evaporated. The Alabama record may be perfect, but the résumé looks skimpy.

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