What makes rivalries great isn’t just the overarching history and discord between each other’s fan bases. It’s the mini battles and storylines which can take place within the game that add an extra layer of competitiveness to an already exhilarating lead-up.
The in-game matchup which fits this definition will be the duel between LSU cornerback Derek Stingley and Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
Both are heralded as some of the top players at their positions when looking at their entire careers. The two have made a major impact right from the beginning of their careers, and last year culminated in a showdown in Tuscaloosa between the Crimson Tide and Tigers who were each ranked inside the top five.