Top 10 Most Memorable Moments in LSU vs Tennessee Football Rivalry History
Sports
The LSU Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers have created some of the most thrilling moments in college football history. From SEC Championship showdowns to regular season classics, this rivalry has produced unforgettable games that still resonate with fans today.
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1. 2001 SEC Championship Game - LSU's Breakthrough Victory
LSU defeated Tennessee 31-20 in the Georgia Dome to claim their first SEC Championship since 1988. This victory marked Nick Saban's arrival as a championship coach and set the stage for LSU's national title run two years later.
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2. 1998 Tennessee's Perfect Season Continues
The undefeated Volunteers defeated LSU 28-21 in a crucial SEC showdown that kept their national championship dreams alive. Tee Martin's performance helped Tennessee maintain their perfect record en route to winning the BCS National Championship.
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3. 2010 Hat Trick Game - LSU's Dominant Display
LSU crushed Tennessee 38-7 in Death Valley, with the Tigers scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter alone. This game showcased Les Miles' team at their peak and demonstrated the program's dominance during their championship window.
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4. 1997 Manning's Final Season Heartbreak
In Peyton Manning's senior year, LSU upset the heavily favored Volunteers 28-24 in Tiger Stadium. This loss significantly impacted Tennessee's national championship hopes and became one of the most stunning upsets in Death Valley history.
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5. 2007 Four Overtime Thriller
LSU defeated Tennessee 41-34 in an epic four-overtime battle in Neyland Stadium. This marathon game featured incredible performances from both teams and is remembered as one of the greatest overtime games in SEC history.
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6. 1988 Tennessee Ends LSU's Title Hopes
Tennessee defeated defending national champion LSU 34-9 in Knoxville, effectively ending the Tigers' repeat championship aspirations. This decisive victory showed Tennessee's emergence as an SEC power under Johnny Majors.
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7. 2016 Tennessee's Dramatic Comeback Victory
Tennessee rallied from a 13-point deficit to defeat LSU 38-31 in Death Valley, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Tigers. Joshua Dobbs' late-game heroics and the Volunteers' resilience made this one of their most memorable wins of the decade.
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8. 2003 LSU's National Championship Season Rolls On
LSU defeated Tennessee 27-24 in a hard-fought battle that kept their perfect season intact. This victory was crucial to LSU's eventual BCS National Championship, with JaMarcus Russell making key plays in the clutch.
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9. 1995 Manning's Coming Out Party
Young Peyton Manning threw for 384 yards in Tennessee's 34-17 victory over LSU, announcing his arrival as one of college football's elite quarterbacks. This performance helped establish Manning as the face of Tennessee football for years to come.
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10. 2019 LSU's Perfect Season Statement Win
LSU dominated Tennessee 50-7 in their undefeated national championship season, with Joe Burrow throwing five touchdown passes. This blowout victory showcased the offensive firepower that would carry the Tigers to their first national title since 2003.
The LSU vs Tennessee rivalry has produced countless memorable moments that have shaped both programs' histories. From championship-defining victories to heartbreaking defeats, these games continue to demonstrate why SEC football remains the gold standard in college athletics, with each matchup carrying the potential to create the next legendary moment in this storied rivalry.