By Darin 
In college football, some matchups are billed as legendary, but few deliver the suffocating intensity of the “Game of the Century” played on November 5, 2011. This wasn’t a thrilling shootout; it was a gritty, visceral war in Tuscaloosa between the undefeated, top-ranked No. 1 LSU Tigers and the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide. The final score—a staggering 9-6 LSU victory in overtime—tells the story of two historically dominant defenses locking down the field in one of the lowest-scoring, highest-stakes SEC battles ever witnessed.
A Defensive Masterpiece
The anticipation leading into the game was immense. Both teams boasted rosters brimming with future NFL talent, yet neither offense could manage a single touchdown against the other’s impenetrable front seven.
The contest quickly devolved into a field-position war, defined by punishing tackles, critical third-down stops, and the looming pressure on each team’s kicker. LSU’s defense, anchored by future NFL first-rounders, managed to hold Alabama’s potent rushing attack in check all night.
- Alabama’s Missed Opportunities: The Crimson Tide had its chances to take control but missed agonizingly. They failed on four separate field goal attempts and threw a crucial goal-line interception, leaving valuable points off the board and allowing the Tigers to stay within striking distance.
- The Overtime Finish: Regulation ended in a 6-6 deadlock. In overtime, LSU’s defense once again held Alabama scoreless, giving the Tigers the crucial advantage. LSU kicker Drew Alleman then stepped up and cleanly drilled a 25-yard field goal, sealing the emotional 9-6 victory for the Tigers.
The Significance of the Rematch
While LSU celebrated a monumental road win that night, the story of this rivalry was far from over. This game set the stage for one of the most controversial postseason scenarios in BCS history. Despite losing the regular-season contest, Alabama secured a spot in the BCS National Championship game due to its continued defensive excellence and high ranking.
The rematch on January 9, 2012, was a complete reversal of the first nail-biter. Alabama’s offense finally broke through, while its defense pitched a historic shutout. The Crimson Tide dominated, winning 21-0 to claim the national title.
Regardless of the season’s eventual outcome, the November 5, 2011, clash remains a touchstone of defensive football. It was a throwback to an era where grit and defense, not offensive fireworks, decided one of the Greatest College Football Games of the decade.