Nick Saban and Les Miles. Both are regarded as premiere football coaches. Saban the former LSU head coach, versus the current, Miles.
Jim Hawthorne- who has now been the “Voice of the Tigers” for 30 years- knows full well (and better than most) what type of coaches Saban and Miles are.
He took the time to answer Five Burning Questions about the big game.
1. Will Saturday Night be the biggest game call of your career?
I don’t think that any game comes close to the national attention that this game is getting. Last year’s LSU-Alabama game was very big for us because almost nobody gave LSU a chance to win that game and we did. Another one was the “Earthquake Game” where Tommy Hodson hit Eddie Fuller with a TD pass in the final minute to beat Auburn. And still another was when the Tigers beat No. 1 ranked Florida in Tiger Stadium in a year that LSU was not a very good team.
2. The story of the game, going in, is defense. How does LSU attack the talented Alabama defense?
The Alabama defense is terrific and is much like LSU’s, big, strong and very quick. I expect the Tigers to do what they have done very successfully all season long and that is run the ball to set up the pass. With Jarrett Lee, LSU has a very good passer and with Jordan Jefferson they a have a good passer who can run the ball very well. With Spencer Ware back in the mix, they Tigers also have five very talented running backs, so they will always be able to have fresh legs in the game.
3. And how does Alabama attack the talented LSU defense?
Well, both teams have very balanced offenses. Bama has 1,834 rushing yards and 1,827 passing yards. LSU has 1,512 rushing yards and 1,456 passing. I don’t believe that either team has faced a defense as good as they will face Saturday, so it will be very interesting.
4. How would you compare and contrast Nick Saban and Les Miles?
Nick Saban took over an LSU football program that was not very good at the time and built it into a national power, and won a BCS Championship along the way. Les Miles took over and has kept it at that level and picked up a BSC title himself. Both are exceptional coaches, winners.
5. LSU wins if?
LSU will win the game if they continue to do the things that have gotten them to this point. Only three turnovers all season, plus 15 in that category, Brad Wing continues to keep the opponent backed up with his punting, great special teams play, the defense limits Richardson and McCarron and the offense controls the tempo. But, as we all know, it will not be easy.
