re: How important is the Bama game going forward?

It will be a noteworthy game. But if they fall off of their standard that has been in place for the last 16 years any LSU victories will become less and less emotionally meaningful. Think back to 2002-2006. The Alabama game was kind of the undercard to the games vs. Auburn and Florida. Still big. But not the biggest like it has been for 16 years.