So, what were we before? Drinking buddies? Dance partners? Secret lovers who became heart broken because one could not stand to see the other in their own home, but ok in the other one's home, for so many years? I'm pretty certain Alabama and LSU have always been rivals. Actually, I'm pretty certain that Alabama is considered a "rival" for the following schools: Auburn Tennessee LSU MSU Ole Miss Arkansas Etc...
Bammer and Barners have "rivalry" on the brain. They overate the importance of rivals and rivalry games. Champions target every team on the schedule, every year.
Rivalry is a big word, the only team in the West that I would consider as a CURRENT rival is Auburn. You beat them in your house, they beat you in their house..that is RIVALRY. Tell me, since when did you last beat us?