When the Alabama-LSU game kicks off after 8 p.m. Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Todd McClure will at his home manning the big grill in his backyard.
But you can bet the former Falcons center will keep a close eye on the TV set, pulling hard for the college he was a star at for four years.
“The Alabama-LSU rivalry is one of the big reasons why the Southeastern Conference is as good as it is,’’ said McClure, who lives in Baton Rouge and played for LSU. “I know there is a lot of football left to be played, but I really think the team that wins that game will win the national championship.’’
The series between the two schools dates to 1895, and the Crimson Tide lead 49-25-5. But since 2007, at least one of the schools has come into the game ranked no lower than No. 5, and Alabama has come into the game ranked No. 1 in the country three times and LSU once. During the 2011 season, LSU beat Alabama 9-6 in overtime in Tuscaloosa before the Tide came back in the national championship game and won 21-0. Last year, the Tide won 20-13 in overtime in Baton Rouge.
During McClure’s four seasons (1995-98) at LSU, he beat Alabama just once, 27-0 when he was a junior in ’97. But the game has a special place for McClure. When he was a freshman in ’95, the game in Tuscaloosa ended up being his coming-out party.
“I remember it like it was yesterday,’’ he said. “Our starting center (Marcus Carmouche) got hurt on the last play of the first half, and I went in and would start every game the rest of my career at LSU. We lost, but it was my opportunity to show the coaches I could play.’’
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