Alabama fans are so glad Nick Saban made this “mistake.” This is exactly why LSU fans hate the Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide, under the leadership of Nick Saban, has long been the benchmark for success in college football. Their dominance in the SEC and on the national stage has been unparalleled over the last two decades. With numerous SEC titles, national championships, and Heisman winners, Alabama has established itself as the gold standard for excellence in college football. But with that level of success comes fierce rivalry, and no rivalry is more intense or deeply rooted than the one between Alabama and LSU.

For LSU fans, Alabama’s success under Saban is both a source of admiration and a source of intense hatred. Nick Saban’s rise to prominence at Alabama, combined with certain decisions and moves made by the head coach, have only served to stoke the flames of this rivalry, particularly among LSU fans who believe that Saban’s “mistakes” have helped fuel Alabama’s dominant run in ways that have directly affected LSU and its football program. To understand why LSU fans harbor such disdain for Alabama—and particularly Saban—it is important to explore some of the key moments in this rivalry, why Saban’s “mistakes” are actually beneficial to Alabama, and why LSU fans feel so strongly about this animosity.

The Nick Saban Era at Alabama: A Legacy of Success

When Nick Saban took over as head coach at Alabama in 2007, the program was in disarray. Alabama had experienced a stretch of underachievement under previous coaches, and the football culture was in need of a complete overhaul. Saban’s arrival marked the beginning of a dynasty that would transform college football. Under his leadership, Alabama has won multiple national championships, consistently recruited the best talent, and maintained an air of invincibility in the SEC.

However, this dominance has not come without controversy, particularly in the eyes of rival fanbases like LSU’s. While LSU has enjoyed periods of success, including winning national championships in 2003 and 2007, the rise of Alabama under Saban has loomed large over the Tigers, and the Crimson Tide’s overwhelming success has been a painful reminder of LSU’s own struggles to maintain that same level of consistency. Alabama has had the upper hand in most of the critical matchups between the two teams since Saban took over, and LSU fans feel as though Saban’s success at Alabama has relegated their beloved Tigers to the role of perennial underdogs in the SEC.

“The Mistake”: Saban’s Brief Stint at LSU

While Saban’s tenure at Alabama is well-documented and largely celebrated, his time at LSU is a major part of the Alabama-LSU rivalry story. For LSU fans, Saban’s decision to leave Baton Rouge for Alabama in 2007 remains a defining moment in the history of the rivalry. Saban had been the head coach at LSU from 2000 to 2004, leading the Tigers to an SEC Championship and a national title in 2003. He was beloved by LSU fans, and his departure was a bitter blow. But for Alabama fans, it became the moment that set them up for years of dominance in college football.

Saban’s move to Alabama in 2007 left a void at LSU, and the decision to leave in the middle of recruiting cycles, just after winning a national title, stung deeply for Tigers fans. To them, it wasn’t just about the football program—it was a betrayal of the community, the fans, and the university. Saban’s departure paved the way for Les Miles to take over the LSU program, but despite Miles’ success, particularly in 2007 when LSU won another national championship, there was always the feeling that Saban’s presence at Alabama was the missing piece to the Tide’s rise to supremacy.

For Alabama fans, Saban’s “mistake” was not necessarily about leaving LSU in the first place but about the timing and the way he executed his departure. LSU fans have been quick to point out that Saban’s “betrayal” of LSU opened the door for Alabama to become the dominant force it is today. In their eyes, Saban’s move to Alabama in 2007 was the catalyst for what would become the most successful run in college football history. Ironically, Alabama fans have come to embrace Saban’s decision to leave LSU because it set the stage for their continued supremacy.

The Root of LSU’s Hatred: Alabama’s Success and LSU’s Struggles

The hatred that LSU fans have for Alabama is rooted in the contrast between the two programs since Saban’s arrival in Tuscaloosa. From 2007 onward, Alabama has been the model of consistency, producing championship-caliber teams year after year. Meanwhile, LSU has had moments of brilliance but has struggled to maintain the same level of sustained success. Even during LSU’s high points, Alabama was usually right there, waiting to crush the Tigers’ dreams.

Take, for example, the SEC Championship games between Alabama and LSU. In 2011, LSU went into the National Championship Game as the clear favorite, having beaten Alabama earlier in the regular season. However, Alabama crushed LSU in the rematch, winning 21-0 in a defensive battle. That loss, in many ways, symbolized LSU’s frustration with Alabama—no matter how good they were, Alabama seemed to be just a little bit better, thanks to Saban’s mastery of the program.

The 2011 loss was particularly painful because it showcased how even when LSU was on the verge of national glory, Alabama was lurking in the shadows, ready to take it all away. And for LSU fans, that feeling became all too familiar as Alabama continued to rack up titles, while LSU struggled to find consistency in the post-Saban era.

Alabama’s Consistent Recruiting and Development

One of the primary reasons why Alabama has remained at the top is Saban’s relentless commitment to recruiting and player development. Under his leadership, Alabama has become the gold standard for recruiting, regularly landing top-tier talent. LSU has long been known for recruiting some of the best players in the country, particularly in Louisiana, but Alabama’s ability to recruit on a national scale has made it a formidable force.

While LSU is still able to land top talent, Alabama’s resources, coaching staff, and overall infrastructure have allowed it to build a juggernaut that is difficult for any program to compete with consistently. Alabama’s dominance on the recruiting trail has ensured that Saban’s teams are always stacked with talent, and this has been a key factor in the Crimson Tide’s continued success.

For LSU fans, this disparity in recruiting is a major point of contention. The fact that Saban, once their coach, was able to recruit players away from LSU and elevate Alabama to even greater heights has been a bitter pill to swallow. Even with elite recruits, LSU has not been able to keep pace with Alabama’s consistent talent acquisition, and this gap has led to frustration and jealousy.

The Psychological Edge: Alabama’s Mind Games

Another reason why LSU fans despise Alabama and Saban is the psychological edge that the Crimson Tide seem to have over their rivals. Saban’s attention to detail, his ability to motivate players, and his leadership in big moments have made Alabama an almost unstoppable force. The way Saban prepares his teams for games, especially those against rivals like LSU, gives Alabama a distinct advantage.

The mental toll that Alabama has taken on LSU cannot be understated. Time and time again, Saban’s teams have found a way to win, often in dramatic fashion. LSU, on the other hand, has struggled to match Alabama’s intensity and has faltered in key moments. This psychological edge is part of what has fueled LSU’s hatred of Alabama, as it feels like the Crimson Tide have mentally and physically dominated them for much of the past decade.

Why LSU Fans Can’t Help But Hate Alabama

The rivalry between LSU and Alabama is one of the most passionate in college football, and LSU fans’ hatred of the Crimson Tide runs deep. For LSU, it’s not just about the losses or the championships—it’s about the feeling of being second fiddle in a conference where they once held prominence. Nick Saban’s decision to leave LSU for Alabama and the subsequent dominance of the Tide has left a bitter taste for Tigers fans.

Alabama fans, however, have come to embrace Saban’s decision, viewing his “mistake” as the key to their program’s continued success. Saban’s departure from LSU opened the door for the Tide to build a dynasty, and while LSU fans will never forgive him for it, Alabama supporters are more than happy to have the best coach in college football history leading their program.

In the end, this rivalry will continue to burn bright, with Alabama fans celebrating their dominance and LSU fans plotting their revenge. Nick Saban’s “mistake” has made Alabama the gold standard of college football—and it’s exactly why LSU fans can’t stand them.