Welcome to 99.1 WDGM’s edition of Throwback Thursday as we look back and count down the 10 most important games of the Nick Saban Era at the University of Alabama. The countdown started with the 2008 meeting between Alabama and Clemson at number 10, continued with the January 1st 2011 Capital One Bowl meeting between Alabama and Michigan State at number 9, and rolls on this week with Alabama LSU from November 3rd 2012.

You might know this game better as “AJ to TJ.”

To bring you back to this game the Crimson Tide came in undefeated and LSU with one loss in a contest that again would decide the SEC west. The game in itself was a slugfest. Alabama jumped to a 14-3 lead at halftime before the LSU Tigers just completely silenced Alabama’s offense for 28 minutes and 30 seconds while taking a 17-14 lead.

Alabama was done. They were on the ropes with 94 seconds remaining and one chance to save the dream of a 3rd national championship in 4 seasons.

Then in those magical moments AJ McCarron found Kevin Norwood 3 times, overthrew Norwood in the end zone, then with the slightest flick of the wrist the ball leapt over the hand of the oncoming defender, finding TJ Yeldon in the flat as he raced toward the endzone with 51 seconds left on the clock.

The rest as they say is history.

So why is this game so important? Easy, without this game Alabama does not go on to win the SEC West, they do not win the SEC Championship and they do not win the National Championship-their 3rd in 4 years. Simply put it is this game that allowed them to be special, a dynasty if you will. Without this win they just the second coming of the Florida Gators (and others) with 2 titles in three years-a great accomplishment, but it won’t get you into the dynasty discussion.

So forget the entire game, let’s just focus on the last 7 minutes and the emotion of the post game celebration in the heart of Death Valley as the dream of dynasty was able to live. This truly was one the most important games and one of the most important moments of Nick Saban’s tenure at Alabama.

Check back each Thursday at 10:30 as this countdown continues.

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